The return of nice weather probably has you thinking ahead to spring and summer events. Summer is the season for outdoor weddings, after all. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you’re likely planning it for the summer months.
Outdoor weddings have a lot of special requirements; you don’t usually need to make “rain plans” for an indoor wedding. Outdoor wedding catering also differs from what you see at an indoor wedding.
Here are a few of the latest trends in outdoor wedding catering—consider some of them for your wedding!
1. Go to the County Fair
This theme might work well if you and your groom are planning a rustic or farm-themed wedding. Carnivals are great fun for folks of all ages, and plenty of people enjoy carnivalesque-fare. Think popcorn, cotton candy, and other fun foods that you might find at a fair.
Think of ways to take carnival foods to the next level: gourmet sliders, a hot dog bar, funnel cakes, sundaes, or alcohol-infused snow cones to make your theme come to live! You might also try taking this theme to the baseball diamond—a great option for couples that are fans of the game!
2. Ice-Cold Refreshment Stands
Nothing says summer like the heat. A hot, humid day can mean great weather for a wedding, but your guests might also work up a fierce thirst. Help them cool off by offering refreshments like lemonade, iced tea, and other summer favourites at a refreshment stand. Incorporate some fresh fruit into the drinks for even more satisfying thirst-quenchers.
3. Head off to Camp
Whether you’re just thinking of all the time you spent at summer camp, or you as a couple love camping in the great outdoors, there’s hardly a more fitting outdoor wedding catering idea than incorporating some camp foods into your wedding menu.
Think bonfires and s’mores, along with other camp staples. Hot dogs are great kids’ menu items too. The best part? You get to incorporate finger-foods and lose the silverware (which means one less thing to worry about).
4. I Scream, You Scream …
… for ice cream! Much like lemonade and iced tea, ice cream is a favourite summertime treat. Whether you serve up ice cream cones or sundaes, this non-traditional wedding dessert can be the metaphorical cherry on top of your outdoor wedding menu.
If you want to make things really fun, incorporate some DIY vibes and allow guests to scoop their own or top their own sundae creations. If you’re hoping for a more nostalgic feel, consider hiring an ice cream vendor (or asking your caterer to supply a cart!).
5. Have a BBQ
The BBQ is quintessentially summer, and that’s what makes it such a perfect outdoor wedding catering idea. You don’t need to stick to hamburgers and hot dogs either; serve up freshly grilled fish or BBQ pork for a twist on this classic. Grilled vegetables make great vegetarian options, and kebabs and skewers can make serving the food fuss-free.
The best part of a wedding BBQ is that it provides a homey, down-to-earth atmosphere for your guests to relax, while your caterer serves up delicious food.
6. Summer Greens
Fresh fruit? Plenty of greens? Summer’s the season of bounty, so be sure to incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and veggies in your wedding menu. Another reason this idea’s so popular? Hot summer days usually mean people don’t want to eat a lot of heavy, hot food—and fresh fruits and veggies help them stay hydrated! Think locally and incorporate fresh farm vegetables to your neighbourhood farmers.
7. Signature Cocktails
This catering idea can be applied equally to indoor or outdoor weddings, but it’s still a great choice for your wedding. Craft a signature wedding cocktail to serve up to your guests. The cocktail may say something about you as a couple—and it’ll certainly be a memorable part of a memorable day!Keep the theme of summer outdoors in your cocktail. Fresh mint, berries, and other summery flavours will tie your theme in perfectly.
