Recipes

20 (Really, Really Great) Ideas for Buffet- and Family-Style Wedding Food

Whether you're DIY-ing the menu or just looking for ideas to share with your caterer, these wedding buffet ideas will make you want to say "I do" (to the sheet cake).
Image may contain Human Person Restaurant Glass Dating Food Meal Cafeteria Plant Furniture and Table
Levi Stolove

We know what you're thinking: "Buffet-style wedding food? I'd rather dress my bridesmaids in teal taffeta." Happily, large-format party food isn't just cost-effective, it can actually be pretty incredible. Forget fussy, individually-seared pieces of meat and chafing trays of scalloped potatoes. Go for bright, big salads, sides that stretch, and mains that can be prepped and cooked in advance of the big day. Whether you're DIY-ing the menu or just looking for ideas to share with your caterer, these wedding buffet ideas will make you want to say "I do" (to the sheet cake).

  • Image may contain Plant Food Dish Meal Vegetable Vase Pottery and Jar
    Christopher Baker
    5/19

    Barley, Cauliflower, and Herbs with Burrata

    A vision in white, just like the bride. This is delicious with basically any whole grain; try wheat berries or spelt. For serving, swipe a generous streak of burrata across the bottom of the bowl, then pile in the salad. Each guest can take as much (or as little) cheese as he or she would like.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Seasoning Produce and Vegetable
    6/19

    Bitter Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette

    Pass on the limp mesclun with gloopy balsamic vinaigrette. This simple salad has a ton of flavor, but will still make your grumpy Aunt Edna happy.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce Dish and Meal
    11/19

    Oil-Poached Tuna Salad

    Inspired by a crowd-pleasing classic Niçoise salad. Feel free to nix the beans in favor of more traditional potatoes, if you'd prefer.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Meal Produce Dish and Vegetable
    Peden + Munk
    12/19

    Tomato and Cabbage Tabbouleh

    Fresh tomatoes: Just one more reason to plan a summer wedding. A proper tabbouleh will be mainly vegetables and herbs, with just a smattering of bulgur threaded through.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable and Arugula
    13/19

    Steak Salad with Herbs

    Sure, you can still have steak at your wedding. It's just not going to be overcooked filet. You can even sear, slice, and chill the steak a day early; It's delicious cold, and won't wilt the herbs.

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  • Salmon With Fennel Citrus and Chiles on a white plate
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro
    14/19

    Slow-Roasted Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and Chiles

    Once it's cooked, don’t bother trying to divide this fillet into tidy portions. Instead, use a spoon to break it into perfectly imperfect pieces.

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  • Image may contain Food Egg and Roast
    Christina Holmes
    15/19

    Wedding Chicken

    Chef Naomi Pomeroy of Expatriate, Portland, OR, cooked for her wedding guests herself. She went with super-simple chicken, powered by a throw-together marinade.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Seasoning Sesame Produce and Vegetable
    Danielle Walsh
    16/19

    Salted Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

    This rich, chocolatey sheet cake is much less stress than a towering layer cake—and much more moist.

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  • Image may contain Confectionery Food Sweets Dessert Chocolate Bread and Fudge
    Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    19/19

    Blueberry Hand Pies

    You may even be able to convince guests that these buttery, sweet hand pies double as their "favors."

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Senior Associate Web Editor. When she’s not torturing herself by grinding coffee beans by hand and making her own butter, Rochelle writes about cooking techniques and seasonal eating for bonappetit.com. She comes to BA by way of a small farm in Central New York, where she worked as a farmhand ... Read More
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