Baddow Park House Weddings: Alternatives To A Sit-Down Wedding Meal

When you’re planning your wedding, you want perfection.

 You’ve probably imagined it a thousand times, and now it’s time to make it happen. 

Everything about the day can be designed to revolve around you and your partner to truly celebrate your relationship. Weddings involve so many opportunities to be personal and unique, from what you wear, to the music you play and the venue you hire. 

The food you choose for your wedding breakfast also forms a large part of the day, so it’s a great way to showcase your style and tastes to your guests whilst delighting them with yummy grub to set them up for the reception ahead.

If a traditional three-course wedding breakfast isn’t your thing, fear not. The talented team at Baddow Park House have some ideas for alternative wedding meals…

BBQ

There is nothing more relaxed than a summery barbeque. And a winter edition, paired with cosy seating and open fires or patio heaters, would be something fun and quirky for your guests to remember!

Firing up a barbeque also easily allows for different dietary options, and the food is pretty fast, so there’s less chance that guests will end up waiting around with hungry tummies. 

The combination of grilled food, colourful salads and drinks flowing whilst your guests mingle provides a soft, laid-back vibe that goes down a treat. We can just imagine that hazy, delightfully smokey, summery vibe now…

Pizza

There’s something special about wood-fired pizza, isn’t there? 

Watching them being made is quite the show, and you can even design your own pizza topping menu with personal or funny names to firmly put your stamp on the meal.

Informal and great for sharing on tables or picnic blankets, pizza is a fantastic communal food that everybody loves and is sure to create that buzz of excitement you’re looking for. It’s fast, delicious, affordable and can be served buffet-style or as individual, made-to-order delights.

Street Food

Getting in caterers who specialise in street food is sure to give your wedding funky festival vibes.

And you’re not restricted to just one cuisine, either. In fact, you’ll be hard-pushed to decide between the tons of options out there… 

So what do you fancy? Greek meze, French crepes or Spanish paella? What about Mexican burritos, chilli or tacos? 

Trendy, vibrant and aromatic as it cooks, street food is a perfect spectacle for your wedding that is a feast for all of the senses. Bring in a ton of straw bales topped with comfy, colourful blankets, and you’re onto a winner.

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea for your wedding breakfast is a delightful, elegant choice. And, because it doesn’t involve hot food, can be a simple and often cheaper option without compromising on fun-factor. 

To bring a bit more of you into the meal, have fun getting creative with pretty, funky or nostalgic china and cake stands. You could even serve wedding-themed cocktails in teapots for a surprising twist! 

Providing an assortment of teas and coffees, as well as cakes, scones and finger sandwiches, means there’s something for everyone. The meal is quick to serve if your guests are seated already, but it can easily be presented in a buffet format for a less formal breakfast. 

Picnic

The ultimate relaxed wedding breakfast. Great for all ages but particularly family-friendly for those with young children.

Whether you choose to serve your wedding picnic at tables or on rugs in the gardens of your venue, picnics enable you to make the most of the outdoors. 

The food can be packed in beautiful picnic baskets, recyclable boxes, or any container you fancy that aligns with your theme or interests. Depending on your set-up, allocate enough food per table or family for each container, and have fun with what’s included…

Will you opt for a traditional British picnic with cocktail sausages, pork pies and homemade lemonade? Or mix things up a bit with a mezze platter of chicken kebabs, tabouleh and baba ganoush?

Ploughman’s

A ploughman’s is the perfect choice for an informal country wedding but can be tweaked to suit any theme, budget and food preferences. 

Whether it’s a big chunk of tangy mature cheddar or an artisan vegan cheese, a ploughman’s, with its chutneys, pickles and breads, is fantastic served buffet style, and its simplicity is classic and timeless. 

You could even dive into a theme like ‘Cheeses of the World’ or ‘England In Cheese’ to flavour things up a bit.

It’s Your Party – What Lights You Up? 

Your wedding food doesn’t have to be like everyone else’s. You can express your unique style by serving delicious dishes that reflect your personalities, and your guests will love what you’ve chosen no matter what.

The time of year you’re tying the knot might influence your choice of wedding breakfast. Read our blog Summer vs Winter Wedding – Which Is Best? for an insight into how the season could impact your day.