Free Menus for Wedding Receptions

Couples may find it hard to agree on what to serve at their wedding day dinner, but free menus for wedding receptions can help narrow the choices. Using free menus as a guide will not only help resolve disputes, but provides a starting point for customizing a menu to suit your personalities and tastes.

Select your menu for free.

When you are looking for a wedding caterer, ask to see sample menus they have made for other clients. You want to do this for two reasons:

1. To make sure the caterer can put together an array of foods that complement each other.
2. To learn what your options are for the menu if you book that particular caterer.

The caterers you speak with should be able to provide you with several free menu plans their services offer on a regular basis. If not, this may be a sign you want to continue looking for a wedding caterer. Ask for a copy of the menus to keep with your wedding planning guide. Compare the menu ideas, costs, and tastings in the guide before making a final choice.

Though many caterers will offer you free menu ideas for your reception, most will still want to know what sort of food you had in mind to serve. Some will take your ideas and expand upon them, like when you know a side dish you just have to serve. Others will create a menu based solely on what your preferences are, so be prepared to offer ideas for different courses.

Couples who are planning a self catering wedding reception need to plan their menus accordingly. Take into account your tastes, cooking skills and time available before setting your heart on a particular menu. You can use free menus you find online for various special occasions or look through the free menu ideas listed below for wedding food and menus inspiration.

Appetizers: Coconut shrimp, fruit kabobs, pineapple salsa on toasted sweet rolls

Salad: Coconut fruit salad

Main Course: Mahi Mahi grilled fish or pineapple and mango glazed ham slices

Side Dishes: Steamed asparagus, grilled plantains, baked yams

Appetizers: Shrimp cocktail, breaded mushrooms

Salad: Waldorf salad

Main Course: Hand-carved roast beef with gravy or barbequed baked chicken breasts

Side Dishes: Seasoned green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled sweet corn

Soups: Egg drop soup, sweet and sour soup

Salad: Mixed green salad with balsamic vinegar dressing

Main Course: Sesame chicken or mixed stir-fry vegetables in soy sauce over noodles

Side Dishes: Steamed broccoli, white and brown rice, egg rolls

Appetizers: Tomato and basil bruschetta

Salad: Italian salad

Main Course: Eggplant parmesan or Italian sausage lasagna

Side Dishes: Garlic bread, alfredo pasta

Instead of going the seated dinner route, look for free menus that revolve around a buffet or bar concept. These menus usually have mixed green salads and dressings included, along with a fruit salad and possibly a side dish. Many popular buffet bar menus often revolve around a theme, like:

• Dessert Bars: Serve miniature desserts in shot glasses or cake plates. Offer single servings of puddings, bars, cookies, cakes, tarts, and cheesecake bites to your guests if the reception is midday.
• Baked Potato Bars: Set up a baked potato bar, with toppings that appeal to everyone. Ideas include cheddar cheese, broccoli, butter, seasonings, bacon, chili, and salsa.
• Taco Bars: Say ole to a taco bar that includes chips, salsa, soft and hard shell tacos, seasoned beef and chicken, lettuce, olives, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, onions, and hot sauce.
• Bread Bowl Bars: Purchase a variety of round bread loaves with the center cut out. Serve chili, chicken noodle, minestrone and French onion soups along with the breads.

You can either create the free menus listed above yourself or look for a wedding caterer that can execute your bar buffet ideas.

Hungry guests like to know what they will be eating once they are seated at their decorated wedding reception table. Simple menu cards convey this information to your guests without leaving them wondering what's for dinner.

Forget about sending your wedding stationary over the budget. You can print easy free menu cards right from your home computer. Follow these steps:

1. Create a 5x7 sized document in a computer graphics program, or download free wedding clipart.
2. Set the font and size you prefer.
3. Type in the reception menu, with descriptions of the dishes.
4. Arrange the graphics and menu to your liking.
5. Print off a sample copy onto cardstock.
6. Make any necessary changes.
7. Print final copies.
8. Embellish by tying a ribbon in your wedding color to the top of the menu card.

Menu cards can also be printed using extra blank wedding programs or additional blank wedding invitation kit stationary. Because you have already purchased these items, using the extras does not incur any more costs. Your free menus for wedding receptions will still easy to make and not cost you an additional penny from your budget.

From choosing the dishes to creating menu cards, your wedding reception meal doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Have fun with a themed menu or opt for classic dishes everyone can enjoy, and you’ll enjoy the sweet taste of breaking bread with family and friends on your special day.

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