Choosing your wedding breakfast menu - Amanda Forman Photography

A guide to crafting the perfect wedding menu for every season

When it comes to planning a wedding in the UK, one of the crucial aspects to consider is the menu. We all love a good meal and the food you offer up can really add to the overall experience for you and your guests. In this guide, I will walk you through each season and provide tips on choosing the ideal wedding menu for your Wedding day.

The most important thing to remember however is that you choose something that you both like because it is your day so you need to make sure you enjoy it.

Let’s get started!

Spring Wedding Breakfast

For starters, you can’t go wrong with elegant bites that get everyone’s appetite going. We love seeing dill-cured salmon on crisp crackers, or tiny Yorkshire puddings topped with rare roast beef. And don’t forget about putting together a cheese board featuring some of Britain’s finest – it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

When it comes to main courses, you’ve got some fantastic options. Herb-crusted lamb with fresh mint sauce is a springtime classic. If you’re thinking seafood, grilled salmon paired with sea-fresh samphire is gorgeous this time of year. For your vegetarian guests, a seasonal vegetable Wellington packed with spring vegetables makes for an impressive centrepiece.

And dessert? This is where traditional British sweets really shine. You might go for a messy-but-delicious Eton mess, a zingy lemon drizzle cake, or that beloved classic – a perfect Victoria sponge. Each one’s guaranteed to end the meal on a high note.

Summer Wedding Breakfast

Summer weddings are all about fresh, vibrant flavours that won’t weigh you down on a warm day. This is the perfect time to showcase the season’s gorgeous fruits – imagine colourful salads dotted with sweet strawberries and raspberries, or desserts featuring juicy blackberries and cherries.

Want to bring that irresistible barbecue feeling to your wedding? Consider serving grilled Cornish sardines fresh off the flame, or delicious sliders filled with tender pulled pork. For your vegetarian guests, chargrilled vegetable skewers bring all the smoky goodness of outdoor cooking to the plate.

You can’t go wrong with some British picnic classics either. Think perfectly crafted Scotch eggs, savoury pork pies, or everyone’s favourite – mini sausage rolls. These familiar favourites always get guests excited.

For dessert, make the most of those summer flavours. A beautiful summer pudding showing off those seasonal berries is always a showstopper. Or try something lighter like an elderflower and lemon posset – it’s refreshing and elegant. And of course, there’s always room for a classic English trifle, layered with all those wonderful summer fruits.

Autumn Wedding Breakfast

Autumn weddings are the perfect time to serve up cosy, comforting food that makes everyone feel warm and welcomed. This is when nature gives us some amazing ingredients to work with – think sweet pumpkins and squash, earthy wild mushrooms, crisp apples, and juicy blackberries fresh from the hedgerows.

Start your guests off with some soul-warming appetizers. A silky butternut squash soup is always a hit, or get creative with black pudding croquettes that are crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth. For something different, try a smoky haddock rarebit – it’s like a fancy cheese toast that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

When it comes to main courses, think comfort food at its finest. A perfectly roasted chicken surrounded by colourful root vegetables is classic and crowd-pleasing. If you’re looking for something that really captures the season, try a rich beef stew that’s been slowly simmered to perfection. For your vegetarian guests, a hearty pie packed with fall vegetables and mushrooms hits all the right notes.

For dessert, lean into those autumn flavours. A warm spiced apple crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is hard to beat. Sticky toffee pudding is pure indulgence – perfect for a celebration. And don’t overlook a classic treacle tart – it’s traditional British comfort food at its best.

Winter Wedding Breakfast

Winter weddings call for hearty, flavourful food that warms everyone from the inside out. This is the season to embrace rich ingredients like crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet roasted parsnips, flavourful game meats, and all those wonderful warming spices that make winter food so special.

Start your celebration with proper winter appetisers that set the tone. Mini Yorkshire puddings filled with rare roast beef and a kick of horseradish are always a crowd favourite. Blinis topped with smoked salmon and fresh dill bring an elegant touch, while wild mushroom tarts offer that deep, savoury flavour that’s perfect for cold days.

For main courses, think celebration-worthy dishes that bring everyone together. A traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings never fails to impress, or you might go for a gorgeous slow-cooked beef brisket that falls apart at the touch of a fork. For your vegetarian guests, a Wellington stuffed with festive ingredients like roasted chestnuts and tart cranberries makes for a stunning centrepiece.

When it comes to puddings, embrace those cosy winter flavours. Serve warm mince pies straight from the oven, or treat your guests to a sticky gingerbread pudding that fills the room with spicy aromas. For something truly special, you can’t beat a traditional fruitcake covered in marzipan and icing – it’s a proper British winter wedding classic.