Beach Wedding Reception Menus

There are many different options for beach wedding reception menus that can add a taste of the sea to your reception. By carefully choosing delicious and varied dishes, couples will have a wonderful meal to share as they break bread as husband and wife.

Start your menu with tropical cocktails.

When choosing a menu for your wedding reception, there are several factors that need to be considered.

• Budget: An elaborate, seated meal is far more expensive than a casual buffet. The types of dishes featured will also impact the price, and couples should carefully plan their dining budget before deciding on menu selections.
• Theme: While seafood may be the obvious theme for a beach wedding menu, there are many ways to incorporate a tropical or beach theme into a menu without every dish involving seafood. This is especially important because some guests may not enjoy seafood or may have fish or shellfish allergies.
• Preferences: Ideally, every dish on the menu should be one the bride and groom would enjoy. Choose your menu to reflect your personal tastes while still being considerate of your wedding guests and you will have a delicious dinner to share with everyone who makes this day special.

From the first sip of a cocktail to the last, sweet bite of dessert, there are many ways to bring a taste of the beach to your reception menu.

Whether you plan to have a cocktail hour prior to the reception or will simply offer a selection of drinks during the meal, the right cocktails can set the mood for your reception. Popular alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices for beach weddings include:

• Margaritas, pina coladas, and other tropical mixed drinks
• Flavored rums and vodkas, particularly with splashes of mango, coconut, or citrus extracts
• Fresh fruit juices such as pineapple, mango, and tropical punch blends
• Fresh fruit smoothies or ice blended drinks

Appetizers can be passed during the cocktail hour or they may be served prior to dinner. For a beach wedding, delicious appetizers include:

• Sushi
• Shrimp cocktail
• Mini crab cakes
• Fresh tropical fruit
• Iced oysters
• Crab or shrimp stuffed mushrooms
• Coconut shrimp
• Sun-dried tomato bread
• Key lime popcorn chicken

Salads should be crisp and light.

A fresh salad cleanses the palette before the main course and can be a delicious beginning to any wedding meal, particularly when choosing from these scrumptious beach wedding favorites:

• Garden salad with baby greens
• Caesar salad with shrimp
• Mixed local greens

In addition to a light salad, opt for light, flavorful dressings that will not weigh down the tastebuds.

A soup may be offered as an alternative to salad or it could be an entrée selection. Tasty soups that are popular on beach wedding reception menus include:

• Clam chowder
• Shrimp or lobster bisque
• Jamaican pepperpot soup
• Gumbo

The entrée is the key dish to any wedding reception menu. Many couples choose at least two entrees to give guests variety, and popular options include:

• Jamaican jerk meats, such as chicken or pork
• Grilled or broiled fish
• Steak, including filet mignon, tenderloin, or prime rib
• Lemon braised chicken
• Chicken marsala
• Surf and turf combinations
• Barbequed chicken
• Roast pork with lime

The dishes that accompany an entrée should be just as delicious as the main course. Popular side dishes for many wedding menus include:

• Rice pilaf, saffron rice, or wild rice
• Roasted potatoes, potato wedges, or mashed potatoes
• Pasta with various sauces
• Grilled or sautéed vegetables

Many couples forgo a dessert menu in favor of the wedding cake, but adding a simple dessert or two to your beach wedding menu will add extra sweetness to the meal. Furthermore, many guests may not enjoy cake, and adding desserts to the menu can help couples cut wedding cake costs.

Cake is only one possible dessert.

Decadent beach wedding desserts include:

• Key lime or other citrus tarts
• Strawberry shortcake
• Chocolate covered strawberries
• Coconut macaroons
• Lemon cookies
• Coconut cream pie
• Pineapple upside down cake

The wedding cake is the crowing glory of any reception menu. While couples have many delicious options for beach wedding cakes, popular choices include:

• Vanilla or chocolate sponge cake with tropical fruit fillings
• Lemon sponge cake with a vanilla or lime filling
• Dark chocolate cakes with chocolate ganache
• Vanilla cake with a toasted coconut filling

When planning wedding reception menus, the delicious choices are only part of the process. Couples must also consider…

• Special Diets: Diabetic, kosher, vegetarian and other special menu options should be included if necessary.
• Beach Location: Theming the menu to the wedding location is a wonderful touch, and menus for Caribbean beach weddings will be significantly different than menus for weddings on the beaches of Maine.
• Caterer: Depending on the wedding location, couples may be restricted to using exclusive catering services. Contact the caterers for sample menus and inquire about customization options if necessary.

Beach wedding reception menus can range from casual barbeque to elaborate regional fare, but if a couple chooses their menu carefully they will be able to enjoy a delicious meal to celebrate their very special day.

• New Years Eve Wedding Ideas
• Groom Beach Wedding Attire
• Amazing Wedding Cakes
• Wedding Invitations Quiz
• Wedding Dress Quiz

• Informal Wedding Dresses
• Pictures of Wedding Cakes
• Table Decorating Ideas for a Wedding
• Pictures of Wedding Flowers
• Words of Congratulations for a Wedding

• Low Budget Menus for Weddings
• Caribbean Beach Weddings
• Beach Wedding Cakes
• Category:Wedding Reception
• Beach Wedding Apparel: Tips from Allison Berlin