unsplash.com@lanxiao9843 nsplash.com@anitaaustvika a traditional wedding breakfast, but love this idea too, you can use it for your evening feast instead as a great way to fuel the dancefloor. There are so many options available, a few of our favourites include gourmet burger trucks, loaded fries, hot dog stands, fish ‘n’ chips and barbecue smokehouse vans. Or go global with a Mexican taco truck, Greek gyros, Thai street food, Caribbean jerk or an old favourite – woodfired pizza. When it comes to dessert, help is also on hand in the shape of an ice cream van or trike, a crêpes, churros or a barista van. Sun worshipers Another one for the outdoor lovers. If you hate being cooped up inside and want to make the most of the summer sun, a barbecue is the perfect choice. Since this is something many venues offer as a wedding breakfast option, it’ll also be simple to pull off. Barbecues also offer the perfect sociable dining experience complete with yummy smells of food cooking, so you’re sure to bring a smile to guests faces. If you’re worried about being able to offer a choice to suit everyone, this is a great way around your dilemma as caterers will generally offer you a range of options to offer your guests, meaning they can pick and choose to tailor their own feast. Vegetarians are also easily accommodated. A typical barbecue menu might include barbecue chicken, pulled pork, gourmet sausages and burgers, and sticky ribs. For those who don’t eat red meat, you can include grilled salmon or king prawn skewers. Vegetarians will love halloumi and vegetable skewers or Portobello mushroom burgers. Then, go wild with sides! You’ve got classic coleslaw, couscous, potato salad, green salads, new potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese... should we go on? Foodies For the foodies amongst you the wedding breakfast may well feel like the main event. Perhaps you’ve opted for an intimate celebration allowing you to go all out on the elements that mean the most to you. This is super-exciting and a five or seven-course fine-dining menu in a restaurant’s private dining room with a luxurious tablescape may be for you. Here’s an example of a romantic Frenchinspired five-course fine-dining menu to get those taste buds tingling: • Amuse-bouche – Gougères with Comté cheese and truffle • Starter – Duck liver parfait with brioche and fig chutney • Fish course – Sole meunière with caper butter and samphire • Main course – Fillet of beef Rossini with Madeira jus and fondant potato • Dessert – Chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream Sweet tooth If you both favour sweet over savoury an afternoon tea wedding breakfast is a great option that’s totally on trend. It also allows you to incorporate many of the other benefits we’ve discussed so far. It has a sociable element with guests chating about their favourite cakes and patisseries; it’s totally informal; there’s something to please everyone – if they don’t like one sandwich filling, they’re bound to like another; and being a cold option it’s the perfect choice for the summer. What’s more, it’s budget friendly without feeling basic. This will suit you if you’ve opted for a country garden or vintage vibe celebration, and offers you the perfect excuse to hire that mismatched, chinz crockery and cake stand you’ve been hankering after. Add in some vintage garden games for the drinks reception and that’s your theme in the bag! Vegan Friendly If one or the two of you enjoy a vegan diet, or you know you’ll have guests who do, you’ll need to carefully consider your approach to your wedding breakfast. Broadly speaking, you have three options: a fully vegan menu (all courses are vegan friendly), a partially vegan menu (vegan options are available as alternatives), or an inclusive menu design (one course might be naturally vegan and suitable for everyone, alternatives are offered for remaining courses). Whichever route you decide to take we recommend enlisting the help of a wedding caterer experienced in vegan cuisine. It’s important they understand plant-based cooking delivering you delicious dishes that aren’t just reaching for vegetarian options without the cheese. Remember, a vegan menu should be thoughtful, not an afterthought. Prepared by the right hands they can be as elegant and satisfying as traditional fare. We challenge your mouths not to water at these ideas: • Starter – Pea and mint soup with truffle oil • Main course – Moroccan tagine with couscous and apricots • Dessert – Lemon tart, aquafaba meringue 42
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