It is down to the final stretch.  You have set the date and reserved a space for the reception.  All that is left is to come up with some great wedding reception food ideas and find a caterer.  Your wedding reception will cost about 50 percent of your total wedding budget, and food will be one of the most expensive parts of the reception.  Read on for some great ways to approach your wedding reception food ideas!

First, you need to determine what kind of style you want for the food service.  If you’re having an outdoor wedding in the summer, you might be happy with a casual style.  People love the smell of an outdoor grill with delicious and succulent meats, hot corn on the cob, and fresh summer salads.  You can go super casual with just burgers and hot dogs, or as elegant and extravagant as you like.  Ever had crab legs on the grill?  They are delicious!  (And pricey!)

If your wedding reception food ideas are more along the lines of something traditional and maybe a bit more formal, then a buffet is always a good flexible option.  Some people turn up their noses at the buffet style dinner, but the truth is that when you are serving a large, diverse group of people it is very hard to please everyone with a limited sit down menu.  Buffets can be as casual or fancy as you like, it really depends on the quality and expense of the ingredients and the caterer providing them.  Of course, the traditional and formal sit down dinner is a very popular choice.  You will need to provide a good amount of variety on the menu, or some people may go hungry or be unable to find something they enjoy.

For some fun and unique wedding reception food ideas, consider a themed meal.  Maybe have a Hawaiian luau theme, complete with tropical decorations and regional Hawaiian food such as roast pork.  Don’t forget the Mai Tais too!  Other ideas could include an Italian pasta buffet, Mexican taco and nacho stations, or a variety of Chinese dishes.  At one wedding I recently attended the bride even hired a sushi chef to prepare California rolls and other delicacies for her guests!

Whenever you are planning a meal for a large group of people, you will have to consider any special needs.  These days, everyone knows a vegetarian and it is important to provide meatless dishes to accommodate those choices.  Some people may have allergies to common foods, such as shellfish or nuts.  It definitely kills the mood at the reception when the paramedics have to take one of the guests to the hospital!  Additionally, many people have specific food requirements related to their religious beliefs.  Be sure to reach out to your guest list well in advance when you are listing your wedding reception food ideas.

If you are on a tight budget, there is no reason you have to abandon every luxury when researching your wedding reception food ideas.  Just because you cannot afford to serve every guest filet mignon and lobster tail does not mean you have to serve clumsy and boring food.  If there is an expensive item that you simply cannot live without, consider serving an appetizer portion of it during the cocktail hour instead of as a main course.  For example, I love beef Wellington but it is very expensive.  Instead of a full portion, serve tiny snack sized bites of beef wrapped in little pastry shells.

Another great budget saver that allows you to get the foods you want into the menu without breaking the bank is to find alternative dishes with smaller amounts of the ingredient.  For example, instead of serving your guests each an individual lobster tail, have the caterer prepare a delicious pasta dish with lobster meat, or a vegetable served with a lobster sauce.  This way you will be able to get the flavors you want and provide an elegant experience for your guests but not spend a fortune.

I hope that these wedding reception food ideas have been helpful to you!  Remember, this is your wedding and your reception.  Of course you want your guests to have a good time, but make sure that the food you serve is something you will enjoy and remember.