Selecting a wedding menu involves meeting several criteria to satisfy the portion sizes and tastes of most guests. Therefore, each dish must be carefully chosen, using fresh, delicious, and nutritious ingredients. Let’s explore how to select a wedding menu that will leave everyone delighted!
What does a wedding menu include?
For any event, a basic menu will consist of an appetizer, main course, and dessert. On your special day, choosing a wedding menu that includes these dishes will ensure completeness, elegance, and professionalism.
Appetizers
This will be the “perfect start,” providing guests with a delightful culinary experience. Popular choices for appetizers include fresh spring rolls, delicious nem (Vietnamese rolls), and delicate canapés.
Additionally, raw seafood like scallops and lobster often appears, along with elegant sushi and sashimi. You might also expand to lighter dishes such as pâté on bread, fresh vegetables with dip, and unique vegetarian options. Appetizers not only offer a chance to enjoy distinctive flavors but also help create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere among guests.
Main Course
The main course in a wedding menu typically includes a variety of dishes to cater to the tastes of all guests. Common options include meats such as grilled beef, roasted chicken, or steamed fish; stir-fried dishes like fried noodles, fried rice, or seafood items like lobster, squid, and scallops.
Each dish is prepared with creativity and finesse, which not only provides a unique culinary experience but also adds a touch of elegance and style to the wedding reception.
Dessert
Dessert in a wedding menu is often a sweet and enticing highlight. The options range from traditional wedding cakes to ice cream, pudding, and jams. Sweet treats like mousse, tarts, and cakes are typically presented with elegant decorations and unique touches.
Fresh fruit is also commonly featured, providing a perfect balance to the sweetness of cakes and ice cream. Dessert not only serves as a delightful conclusion to the meal but also offers a chance to share sweet joy with all the guests.
Determine the Cuisine Style for Your Wedding
From the beginning, you should determine the style of cuisine for your wedding. Decide whether you prefer primarily Western, Asian, or traditional Vietnamese dishes. Depending on the region, you may opt for specialties from Northern, Central, or Southern Vietnam, or even vegetarian options. Once you choose a cuisine style, selecting the wedding menu will become more specific and easier.
Appropriate Number of Dishes
The number of dishes per table depends on several factors, including the number of people at each table (typically 6 or 10 per table), the type of event, the types of dishes, and guest preferences. However, you should be flexible with the number of dishes based on the type of table setup.
The most important consideration is achieving a balance and variety in the menu to satisfy everyone’s culinary needs. Additionally, consider your budget and the event style when deciding on the quantity and types of dishes.
Avoid Duplicating Ingredients
A crucial consideration when selecting your wedding menu is to avoid choosing dishes with overlapping ingredients. Each dish should feature a distinct main ingredient to create a variety of culinary experiences for your guests. This approach will not only diversify but also enhance the uniqueness of your wedding menu.
Avoid Repeating Cooking Methods
When planning your wedding menu, it’s important to avoid choosing too many dishes prepared using the same cooking method. Aim to include a mix of fried, steamed, grilled, and raw dishes to prevent monotony and keep the dining experience engaging for your guests.
.
Choose Seasonal Dishes
To ensure your wedding menu features fresh and reasonably priced ingredients, opt for seasonal foods. Each season offers specific fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients, allowing you to select the best produce for your event.
Limit Picky Eaters’ Options
Given the large number of guests at a wedding, choose dishes that are popular and widely accepted in terms of ingredients and preparation methods. This ensures that the majority of your guests will enjoy the meal.
Focus on Appealing Presentation
When selecting dishes for your wedding, prioritize those that can be beautifully presented. Consider options that allow for creative decoration, combining various ingredients to enhance visual appeal. Modern culinary presentation includes elaborate garnishes, smoke effects, and even creative use of alcohol for an impressive touch.
Consider the Budget
When choosing the menu for a wedding, it is important to consider the budget to ensure a balance between quality and cost. Selecting dishes that fit within your budget helps avoid unnecessary expenses.
You can look into using commonly available and easily sourced ingredients to reduce transportation costs. Additionally, optimizing creativity in combining readily available dishes and cutting back on high-cost ingredients can make the menu both rich and economical. Flexibility in menu selection can help maximize resources and expenses while still providing a great dining experience for the bride, groom, and guests.
Explore Delicious and Appealing Wedding Menus
To select the most suitable wedding menu, refer to the following options. These menus are designed for tables of 10 people.
Menu 1
- Australian abalone soup with Da Lat asparagus
- Mango salad with roasted chicken
- Fruit salad
- Seafood spring rolls with Tartar sauce
- Baked shrimp with cheese
- Steamed grouper fillet with wine and Chinese pepper
- Boneless chicken
- Australian beef tenderloin with mushroom cream sauce
- Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce
- Hoang Pho sticky rice
- Forevermark-style stir-fried noodles
- Tiramisu cake
Menu 2
- West Lake shrimp dumplings and vegetables
- Cold beef salad
- Shredded chicken and coconut salad
- Lotus stem salad with shrimp and pork
- Flamed shrimp
- Passion fruit sauce salmon
- Red wine sauce beef shoulder with mashed potatoes
- Forevermark-style roasted duck with mace
- Royal-style sautéed Da Lat mushrooms
- West Lake lotus seed sticky rice
- Mediterranean-style salmon fried rice
- Caramelized burnt cream with fruit sauce
Menu 3
- Sichuan-style seafood soup
- Three-item appetizer platter:
- Traditional Hanoi spring rolls
- Russian salad
- Royal-style salad with stomach
- Cheese-baked shrimp
- Steamed grouper with pink sauce
- Boneless chicken with cold soy sauce
- Australian beef with mushroom cream sauce and bread
- Seafood stir-fried broccoli
- Crab sticky rice with lap xuong (Chinese sausage) steamed in lotus leaves
- Singapore-style fried noodles
- American grapes for dessert
Menu 4
- Spring rolls and fried spring rolls
- Cucumber canapé with chicken and Mac Khen sauce
- Tuna and squid sushi
- Red wine beef stew with mushrooms and carrots
- Stir-fried chicken with shiitake mushrooms and onions
- Grilled salmon with sun-dried lemon butter sauce
- Stir-fried vegetables with shiitake mushrooms and noodles
- Delicious vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit
- Fresh fruit tart
Menu 5
- Spring rolls with shrimp, pork, and chicken
- Cheese toast with steamed meat and Mac Khen sauce
- Salmon and shrimp sashimi
- Black pepper beef stir-fry with vegetables and noodles
- Honey-glazed roasted chicken with black pepper
- Seafood stir-fried noodles with oyster sauce
- Toasted cheese bread with garlic sauce
- Almond cake with vanilla cream
Menu 6
- Vegetarian spring rolls
- Cucumber canapé with beef and Mac Khen sauce
- Pâté bread with cucumber and green pepper
- Grilled beef with garlic onion sauce and mushrooms
- Stir-fried chicken with shiitake mushrooms and sticky rice
- Salted shrimp with garlic butter
- Stir-fried vegetables with shiitake mushrooms and rice
- Fresh fruit cheesecake
- Lime panna cotta
Menu 7
- Spring rolls with shrimp, pork, and chicken
- Tuna and squid sushi
- Red wine beef stew with vegetables and noodles
- Honey-roasted chicken with vegetables
- Grilled salmon with sun-dried lemon butter sauce
- Toasted cheese bread with garlic sauce
- Tiramisu cake
- Delicious vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit
Menu 8
- Coconut and pork heart salad
- Butter-fried potatoes
- Thai-style fried beef tenderloin
- Steamed chicken with lime leaves
- Fried shrimp with Trang An rice puffs
- Ethnic-style grilled catfish
- Ostrich meat rolls (6 pieces)
- Boiled vegetables with sesame salt
- Fried shallot sticky rice
- Mixed ball soup
- Eight-grain rice
Menu 9
- Banana blossom salad with pork ears
- Fried street potatoes
- Steamed chicken with lime leaves
- Hoang Bao-style fried shrimp
- Stewed pork leg with lotus seeds and mushrooms
- Shake beef with fries
- Roasted quail with Mac Khen leaves
- Boiled chayote with sesame salt
- Lotus seed sticky rice
- Fresh mushroom rib soup
- Eight-grain rice
Menu 10
- Snowflake seafood soup
- Papaya salad with roasted chicken
- Dong Tao chicken steamed with lime leaves
- Fried catfish with Hoang Bao sauce
- Beef stew with bread
- Passion fruit sauce salmon
- Salt and chili baked turtle
- Eel stewed with banana and beans
- Colorful stir-fried mushrooms
- Lotus seed sticky rice
- Eight-grain rice
- Cream puff
The above article provides essential information and tips for selecting a wedding menu. Tân Sơn Nhất Pavillon hopes you will make choices that make your special day perfect!
source: forevermark
