If you have read the previous two articles in this section you will have probably figured that a sit down meal won’t work that well during a night of dancing. That doesn’t mean however that you couldn’t start your night with it. The likelihood is however that you won’t want to (or be able to afford to) serve two meals – it’s also unlikely that your guest would be able to eat them both.
If it is your plan to serve a single meal for all of your guests before a night of dancing you will probably choose to have a late wedding. Alternatively if you are going for the traditional wedding breakfast then a sit down meal is a must.
The meal can be composed of anything from three courses and upwards (starter, main & dessert) and for dessert you could always to serve your wedding cake – but for more thoughts on that see the article on the Wedding Cake.
The following sample menu shows all of the optional courses available and a few choices for each course. Very few venues are prepared to offer your guests a choice of main course, outside of the Vegetarian option. Also you will need to inform them in advance of how many guests will want the Vegetarian menu as opposed the standard menu. (Your venue will probably offer your younger guests a children's menu selection or kids portion of your main meal – this will normally be slightly cheaper but again numbers need to be confirmed beforehand).
Sit down meal – Sample menu
Appertiser Options
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Warm Tomato Tart with Basil Pesto, Buffalo Mozzarella and Balsamic Sauce
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Chicken Liver Parfait served with Red Onion Marmalade and toasted Brioche
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Fanned Galia Melon served with a Citrus Fruit Salad, Port & Redcurrant Sauce
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Beetroot Cured Gravadlax of Salmon with Grain Mustard Crème Fraîche and Granary Bread
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Marinated Roast Mediterranean Vegetables with Mozzarella and Basil Pesto
Intermediate Course Options (Optional Course)
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Champagne Sorbet
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Cream of Mushroom and French Onion Soup with Cheese Flutes
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Melon and Parma Ham
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Carpaccio of Beef, pickled Shallot Rings and Horseradish Cream
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Goat's Cheese Salad with Pinenuts and Walnut Oil
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Tian of Greenland Prawns and Avocado with Crème Fraîche
Main Course Options
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Roast Breast of Chicken wrapped in Bacon on a bed of finely sliced Bacon, Cabbage, Shallots and Confit Potato with Thyme
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Pan-fried Fillet of Pork, Sage & Onion Creamed Potatoes and Caramelised Apple
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Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Roasted seasonal Vegetables and Confit Garlic
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Seared Fillet of Salmon with Smoked Salmon Herb Crushed Potatoes, Asparagus and Champagne Velouté
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Fillet of Beef, Truffled Cream Potato and Asparagus with Fricasée of Wild Mushrooms and Port Sauce
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Wild Mushroom and Herb Pithivier with Seared Asparagus and Sun-dried Tomato Dressing
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Moroccan Spiced Vegetable Brochette with Cous Cous Salad and Raitta
For desserts see our article on a Sweet Tooth.
Don't forget that after your dessert course you can choose to serve any of the following:
- Cheese and Biscuits;
- Tea or Coffee accompanied by Chocolates, Petit Four or Wedding Cake;
- A Liquor (typicaly Sherry (for the Ladies and Brandy or Whiskey for the Gents).
Any number of the above three courses can be served but the order detailed is quite traditional.
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