The Top 5 Summer Wedding Food Mistakes All Couples Should Avoid

There's a lot to love about summer weddings: There’s nothing more romantic than getting married outdoors amid vibrant blooms, and few thing are better than dining (and dancing!) al fresco with your loved ones. Another reason we love summertime nuptials? This time of the year presents a bounty of fresh and seasonal produce guaranteed to elevate any dinner menu. “There are so many delicious and beautiful fruits, berries, and herbs that are available during the summer that creating an amazing menu—which looks as good as it tastes—is simple,” planners Nancy Park and Paean Wang of So Happi Together say. Think: watermelon margaritas for your signature cocktail, bruschetta topped with heirloom tomatoes and basil for an appetizer, and baked cod with grilled asparagus for your main entrée. A lineup like this will taste as if everything was hand-picked from a garden.

If you’re hosting a summer soirée, our experts agree that choosing dishes that nod to the season is practically essential. To make sure your menu integrates the tastes of summer, check with your caterer to see which offerings will highlight the very best in-season ingredients. “Asking your chef what is local and what is seasonal will help couples select options that will present the best on the big day,” Mary Margaret Hart of Ridgewells Catering notes. “There could be some fun surprises for what’s grown or produced locally! As many guests travel to weddings, featuring menus specific to the region and its offerings can be a unique food experience for your guests.”

Yet for all the delicious offerings available during the summer, there are a few pitfalls that couples might encounter when selecting their summer wedding menus. We asked the pros to unveil the biggest blunders that engaged pairs might make during the warm-weather months, plus how to navigate them. Ahead, the top summer wedding menu food mistakes to avoid at all costs.

Including Too Many Ingredients That Aren't in Season

There are so many delectable items that are in season during the summer months, from tart cherries to sweet corn. Despite all of the choices that this time of the year offers, Hart says she finds that couples will still select many ingredients that aren’t locally grown during these months. Not only does integrating out of season items contribute to a more costly catering bill, but doing so also clashes with the overall dining experience you're trying to create. Talk to your caterer about the best foods to include in your menu, and choose ones that suit your affair, budget, and taste buds. If your all-time favorite food isn’t in season during the summertime, make sure the bulk of your spread features fresh ingredients and then add a smidge of that must-have item to your lineup, so it won’t overshadow the in-season options.

Choosing Dishes That Can’t Withstand the Heat

Whether it’s by the beach or in a garden, outdoor weddings are a popular choice in the summer. Although the great outdoors provide scenic views for your celebration, the beaming sunshine and scorching temperatures pose a risk for your food: Anything that needs to be kept cool will spoil while baking in the sun. 

Seafood, cheese, and chocolate are some of the items that can quickly soil or melt in the sun. If you must serve these items on your wedding day, Park and Wang suggest a few tips to keep them fresh if they’ll be on display. For a raw seafood bar or sushi with raw fish, the planners advise presenting these dishes on ice in a cool and shaded area. Charcuterie boards or spreads with cheese and deli meats are also likely to “sweat” in the summer heat, so the experts recommend keeping them near ice and out of the sun as well. If your main dessert of the evening is a chocolate wedding cake or anything covered in a layer of chocolate, Park and Wang encourage you to present your treat at the last second—preferably after the sun goes down—to avoid a melted mess. You can also put a faux cake on display and then pass out slices that are fresh from the kitchen.

Instead of presenting your dishes on a table, where they’ll be sitting for hours, Gabi Dorsch of LM Catering & Events suggests selecting passed appetizers instead. That way, the catering staff will keep the items cool for as long as possible, and then, waiters will bring them to your guests in batches. 

As for your cake? Keep your tiered confection out of the heat and direct sunlight for as long as possible. While it's nice to display this centerpiece dessert throughout the reception, it's better to bring it out just for the cake cutting if the temperatures are too warm.

Serving Heavy Options

Although most weddings strive to incorporate light bites, this is especially important when planning summer nuptials. Heavy dishes with rich ingredients, such as chicken alfredo or creamy risotto, will weigh guests down and increase their discomfort in the heat and humidity. If you must have these items on your menu, Park and Wang advise: “Just make sure it’s balanced with other items that feel lighter and fresher—being easy to eat without heavy sauces is key.” 

Steer clear of dishes that are super hearty and warming by looking to fresh produce and light sauces. For example, a strawberry mojito, a bibb lettuce salad with peaches, and mango sorbet are all choices that will satisfy everyone’s appetite without making anyone feel overly full.

Selecting Exclusively Hot Dishes

In most locations, the summer season is hot and humid. Since your guests will already be breaking a sweat in the heat, the last thing they want and need is to have no option but to nosh on a hot appetizer or entrée, like brick oven pizzas or tomato bisque. Instead, use your dishes to keep guests cool. Dorsch loves a cold cucumber soup or a gazpacho as an alternative to a heavier and heated soup. Caprese skewers, fruit salad, and vegetable rolls are also refreshing options for hors d'oeuvres. For dessert, consider distributing mini ice cream cones or go all out with an ice cream sundae bar to satisfy your sweet tooth and cool off while taking a break from the dance floor.

Forgetting to Complement Your Drinks

Drinks—whether they’re alcoholic or zero-proof—are a huge component of many weddings, so make sure that your beverages suit the season and the rest of your menu. Hart encourages you to incorporate fresh herbs into your cocktails, such as rosemary, lavender, or mint for an ode to the season. Infusing your booze or mocktails with fresh berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries, will also accomplish this. For instance, a rosemary lemonade or a raspberry martini are fun, seasonal options that will make an impression. Don’t forget to coordinate these liquid beverages with your bites: Stick with light and refreshing options all around.