20 Winter Wedding Menu Ideas That Will Impress Your Guests

Nothing beats gathering around the table with your favorite people for a celebratory meal after you’ve just said “I do” to a lifetime of happiness with your partner. Not only does your reception dinner give you the opportunity to bond with your guests and provide a deeper look at your relationship, but it’s also a chance to show off the delicious flavors of the season. 

For couples hosting winter weddings, your culinary spread is the perfect excuse to load up on hearty foods and rich flavors. By providing warmth and comfort, your menu is also one of the best ways to help your guests brave the cold. “With a winter wedding, you’re battling the temperatures outside, and you’re now trying to make the inside warm and cozy,” planner Fallon Carter says. “Outside of the décor, another great way to do that is through taste.” 

From your starters to your entrées, there are so many ways to nod to the season with your cuisine. Through various spices and seasonal produce, your menu will capture the essence of winter. Whether it’s a creamy soup in a bread bowl, roasted chicken dusted with coriander, or a crispy kale salad topped with orange slices, serving seasonal dishes will make your menu fresher, tastier, and more aesthetically pleasing. 

Keep reading for expert-approved tips and tricks to create the perfect winter wedding menu, plus 20 seasonal meal ideas to inspire you.

Incorporate Spices

One of the best ways to provide warmth on your plate is through various spices. “I love big, hearty, warm foods that are accessible and garnished well,” Carter notes. “They’re bringing in different flavors and spices.” Whether it’s a cumin rub on grilled chicken or a sprig of rosemary on mashed potatoes, seasonings are an easy way to add a kick to any dish, and they’ll give your guests a taste of winter.

Amy Iserman of Forte Belanger also advises couples to use spices in a way that creates new flavors their friends and family probably haven’t tasted before. “We love to mix in the unexpected, so each bite evokes wonder,” she remarks. People will be asking, “Is that a hint of cinnamon in this beef dish?”

Stick With Familiar Foods

Want to create a menu that will really wow your guests? Instead of introducing new and unfamiliar foods, stay within your wheelhouse—but play up the presentation. “We recommend providing foods that are of comfort or familiarity, but then plating or displaying them in a more creative, exciting way,” Iserman suggests. Doctoring up your favorite dishes will also more authentically capture your relationship within your wedding reception.

Strive for Balance

Although warm and hearty meals are often at the forefront of winter wedding menus, Carter urges couples to keep their spread balanced. “Don’t go too heavy,” she warns. “Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that every single meal needs to be hot. There should be some ambient temperatures.” Consider serving light and refreshing dishes, such as seasonal salads, with heavier pastas and stews so guests aren’t too stuffed to hit the dance floor.

Capture Your Love Story

Yes, a spread of seasonal items will look and taste best, but it makes more of an impact if the dishes you serve reflect your relationship. To select a lineup that speaks to you and your significant other, reflect on the most delicious meals you’ve had together during the season. “I tell people to think of trips they’ve taken in the winter,” Carter explains. “Recreate those interactive moments or those types of meals in miniature size.” You can even incorporate your childhood favorites, the first dish you had as a couple, or the date night meals you always fall back on.