Whether it’s something you are planning to DIY or to entrust to a professional, wedding stationary and signage is an absolute must on your big day and something you want to dedicate a fair amount of time and thought to.

These vital pieces of information sprinkled throughout the event will help to guide guests as they move from the ceremony to cocktail hour to the reception and are especially important when it comes to wedding food and refreshments. This is where wedding menus come in.

Wedding Menus

Would you go to a restaurant that didn’t provide you with a menu and just hope for the best? We’re going to venture a guess and say probably not. So, why would you forgo that detail at your wedding?

Wedding menus provide essential information to your guests around what to expect during the meal—whether you’re having a multi-course plated extravaganza or opting for a buffet-style dinner. If any of your guests have allergies or dietary restrictions, menus also help to make them aware of any foods they cannot have so they can ask the catering team for an alternate plan if already not pre-received before the event.

Menus are also the perfect place for couples to add a special note or thank you to their guests for attending the wedding. These can be very sweet and personal, and guests really do appreciate the added sentiment.

Menu Design

There are many different ways to design your wedding meal menu, and you can personalize it to you and your wedding theme. You can opt to have individual paper menus for each guest, or choose to have a menu sign displayed somewhere at your reception (for example, close to the buffet line if that is the method you choose.) Couples can also get a little more creative and come up with fun ideas such as printing the drink menu and appetizer choices on their cocktail napkins.

However you decide to present your food and drink options to your guests, just make sure that all your bases are covered including hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, beer and wine lists, salads, main course options, and desserts.

Check out our recent Instagram Live in collaboration with Catering Connection, Ann Johnson Events, and Hilary Elizabeth Lettering for more menu design ideas. Or, visit Catering Connection’s recent blog on the topic for tips straight from the event catering experts.

Things to Remember

When you’re planning your wedding menus or signage, keep these tips in mind:

Most commonly, bar signs are made but other items such as buffet and desserts are forgotten. Make sure to include these components in your planning process.
Other menus to remember include welcome beverages, buffet and food stations, desserts, late-night snacks, and giveaway treats.
Try to keep all signage cohesive throughout the event.
Use high quality images and materials. You want to make sure everything is visible and easy to read.

Meal Indicators and Place Cards

If you choose to have plated meals at your wedding rather than a buffet, then you will also need to plan your meal indicators. These indicators can be placed on your place cards, on a printed menu, on an item placed on guests’ seats, tied around their chair, etc., and they let the catering team know what meal each guest selected when they RSVP’d.

You will want to make sure the meal indicator is obvious and visible to the wait staff. Of course, it’s also a fun way to bring a design element to the table. Here are a few ways you can call out guests’ meal choices:

A dot system (For example 1 dot = beef, 2 dots = chicken, 3 dots = vegetarian) Make sure they are big and bold!
Stamps of cows, chicken, fish, or veggies/leaf.
Place cards of different colors.
Other items like different colored ribbons, colored wax stamps, or colored wine glass chips.

Scroll further for inspiration as you create your food menus, bar signage, place cards, and even table assignment boards. Happy planning!