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The temperatures are heating up and so are the menus during prime wedding season! With a majority of nuptials happening from the late spring through late summer, it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of the fresh ingredients afforded by the season. In this article, we’ll explore new trends in wedding menus, colorful dishes, and inspiring fruits and vegetables that will have your guests wanting more. Let’s jump in!
Starters
Proscuitto-Wrapped Mango Bites
Prosciutto di Parma is thinly sliced salted ham that pairs amazingly with sweet and summery mango. To make the bites, wrap the slices of prosciutto around a small piece of mango and add avocado, arugula, or basil to finish it off. This appetizer also works well with melons like cantaloupe or honeydew.
Cucumber Rolls
Create a unique and tasty appetizer by rolling cucumbers with red pepper hummus, cream cheese and tomatoes, or a colorful veggie salad.
Watermelon Squares
What’s more refreshing on a summer day than fresh watermelon? Combine your favorite cheese, such as feta, goat cheese, or fresh mozzarella, with bite-sized watermelon squares. Then add fresh mint, basil, or spicy jalapeño for an extra burst of flavor.
Shrimp Tostada Bites
For the perfect summer appetizer, serve shrimp tostada bites made with lime, honey, garlic, and a bit of cayenne pepper. For the tostada, use freshly fried corn tortillas or store-bought tortilla scoops. Serve with fresh guacamole or a crisp mango salad.
Slider Station
A gourmet slider station offers an array of palette-pleasing options for your wedding guests. A few ideas include a classic cheeseburger with all the fixings, barbeque pulled chicken or pork, braised beef short rib with caramelized onions, or a hearty jackfruit option with avocado slaw. This appetizer also works well as a passed hors d’oeuvre.
Main Course
Crab Cakes with Seasonal Veggies
Pairing a crab cake dish with fresh, crunchy vegetables like asparagus, a colorful slaw, or corn salad is a summer-focused take on a classic entree.
Steak Frites
Steak frites is a well-loved dish ideal for both a casual summer wedding or more upscale event. This dish consists of tender steak paired with crispy French fries and Dijon mustard. Add a side of fresh spinach salad or mixed greens to complete the meal.
Pasta Privamera
With lots of vegetables, a light lemon cream sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, pasta primavera is a flavorful option for a spring or summer wedding menu. Stack this dish with colorful veggies like tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, snap peas, and zucchini. It makes a lovely vegetarian or vegan option also!
Lobster Rolls
A fun option for a summer wedding menu, especially an event by the water, is a lobster roll. A staple in northeast states like Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, this delightful delicacy can be served in a number of ways, from miniature to deconstructed. Be sure to provide extra napkins!
Grilled Kabobs
Another tasty dish for spring and summer menus is grilled kabobs. With endless combination options, kabobs include colorful vegetables and your choice of protein, such as marinated steak, chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Complete the meal with rice and a chili-lime or honey garlic dipping sauce.
Desserts
Frozen Key Lime Bites
Served frozen or chilled, key lime bites are just enough sweet and tart to please any dessert connoisseur, and they are a refreshing twist from traditional wedding desserts. Once your guests try this taste of the Florida Keys, they’ll instantly think they’ve been transported to the tropics!
Fruit Skewers
Fruity, tasty, and convenient, fruit skewers offer endless combination options. Stack colorful fruits like berries, pineapple, mango, kiwi, and watermelon. Add a chocolate fountain for a rich topping, or serve with fresh whipped cream!
Acai Bar
With a creamy, rich texture, acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) berry bowls are a fun way to create an interactive dessert station. Originating from Brazil, acai bowls go great with toppings like coconut flakes, chocolate or vanilla chips, granola, fruit, honey, or peanut butter.
Mini Berry Pies
The summer is a perfect time to take advantage of the fresh berries of the season. Whether you choose blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a combination of all, you can’t go wrong! With a light and flaky crust, mini pies served individually are a sweet alternative to cake for a spring or summer wedding!
Nostalgic Sweets
Is your wedding inspired by the beach or near the water? Or are you a fan of retro confections? A candy station (often called a candy bar) is a fun idea for the spring and summer months! Channel the boardwalk with treats like cotton candy, soft-serve ice cream, salt water taffy, funnel cake, or caramel popcorn. You can also create takeaway wedding favors with your favorite modern or old-time candy!
Beverages
Spiked Sweet Tea
This grown-up version of a summertime staple is just as refreshing as fun! Add vodka, whiskey, or even rum to sweet tea with lemon for a drink option that your (21 and over) guests will love. This drink is best made with fresh hot-brewed tea that has been chilled for several hours or overnight.
Summertime Mojito
A mojito is a shockingly refreshing blend of lime, mint, club soda, sugar, and rum stirred with crushed or cubed ice. This Cuban cocktail is delicious and delightful on a hot day. Add other fruit flavors like watermelon or strawberry, or keep it simple with just the traditional ingredients.
Champagne Cocktail
You can’t go wrong with champagne for any style of wedding. For a spring or summer wedding, why not add a little extra something to your bubbly? Elderflower liqueur will add a sweet, floral taste. Fresh peaches and peach schnapps (also known as a bellini) make a great champagne concoction. Or add fresh strawberries for a colorful twist!
Spicy Jalapeño Margarita
A classic cocktail for summer that is sure to get the party started is the margarita! Add a little spice to this popular libation with jalapeño-infused tequila or fresh muddled jalapeños. If tequila is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other options for a zingy, feisty cocktail, such as a spicy jalapeño gimlet or a spicy Moscow Mule!
Pineapple Screwdriver
If you’re looking for a tried-and-true cocktail that bursts with summertime flavor, a pineapple screwdriver made with pineapple juice, orange juice, and vodka is a perfect option. Other pineapple-infused cocktails include the Piña Colada, painkiller, and Bahama Mama! A pineapple-focused cocktail will instantly have your wedding guests feeling like they’re on vacation!
