Innovative Wedding Menu Ideas for Spring

If we're being honest, one of the best parts of every wedding is the culinary experience. Designing your wedding menu is never something you should rush.

To nail the perfect combination of cuisines for a spring wedding, you've got to give yourself plenty of time to consider the atmosphere and experience you want to present to your guests.

Here, we list seven innovative ideas you can implement to embrace the vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients unique to spring for an unforgettable dining experience.

Choose Seasonal Ingredients

Think out of the box with seasonal, locally sourced items, including but not limited to:

• Vegetables: Arugula, kale, spinach, artichokes, beets, carrots, fava beans, fresh herbs, snap peas, new potatoes, and radishes

• Fruits: Strawberries, lemon, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, and rhubarb

These versatile ingredients open up a world of possibilities.

• Transport your guests to the Mediterranean with a tantalizing appetizer station featuring:

  • Briny Greek olives

  • Vine-ripened tomatoes

  • Warm toasted pita

  • Herbed feta

  • Vibrant artichoke dip

  • Smoky red pepper hummus

• Toss these seasonal gems into a kaleidoscope of salad starters. Or toss these seasonal gems into a salad.

Elevate your entrées with grilled or blackened fish drizzled with a zesty lemon herb remoulade, or infuse marinades and sauces with other fruity undertones.

• Accompany your proteins with sides that celebrate spring's finest, like herb and parmesan-crusted new potatoes or roasted Tuscan asparagus.

Let fruit play a starring role throughout your courses:

• Strawberry goat cheese salad

• Pineapple chili-glazed grilled mahi

• Rhubarb tarts or handheld rhubarb pies for a grand finale

Have Fun with Interactive Stations & Displays

Interactive stations and elegant displays are all the rage in the wedding catering industry right now.

Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they invite guests to pick and choose their preferred flavors or toppings.

Some of our favorite interactive station ideas for spring include:

• Elevated relish tray:

  • Balsamic grilled asparagus

  • Bell peppers

  • Pickled cauliflower

  • Bite-size radishes

  • Baby carrots

  • Colorful dips (red pepper hummus, spring onion dill dip, artichoke dip, baba ganoush)

• Street taco bar:

  • Spicy beef barbacoa

  • Classic shrimp tacos

  • Citrus mahi-mahi

  • Vegan taco with butternut squash, black bean, corn, and avocado

• Sushi or poke bowl station:

  • Grab-and-go sushi display

  • Tuna or salmon poke bowls with veggies and sauces over basmati rice

• Ramen noodle bar:

  • Boiled eggs

  • Mushrooms

  • Carrots

  • Bok choy

  • Cilantro

  • Scallions

  • Thin-sliced pork tenderloin

• Gourmet mac & cheese station:

  • Bacon

  • Grilled chicken

  • Sundried tomatoes

  • Sautéed mushrooms

  • Green chiles

Keep Hors d'oeuvres Light & Refreshing

The last thing you want to do is overstuff your guests with carb-heavy hors d'oeuvres, filling their stomachs during cocktail hour before they get even close to the main course.

Pick subtle pre-dinner treats that satisfy but keep guests hungry for more.

Some of the most unique spring hors d'oeuvres we've seen include:

• Bacon-wrapped dates

• Smoked brook trout sushi

• Sweet corn gazpacho

• Savory beet macarons

• Smoked salmon deviled eggs

• Moroccan chicken & spinach meatballs

• Watermelon rum bon bons

• Mini lobster roll

• Mustard herb chicken bites (with blackberry, bourbon sauce)

• Tomato basil bruschetta

• Fresh vegetable spring rolls

Get Creative with Spring-Inspired Salads

Spring is the perfect time to experiment with seasonal, non-traditional salads.

Start your multi-course meal with one of these flavorful picks:

• Asparagus & cherry tomato salad:

  • Baby arugula

  • Crumbled blue cheese

  • Lemon shallot vinaigrette

• Brussel sprout & kale salad:

  • Walnuts

  • Dried cranberries

  • Goat cheese

  • Apples

  • Apple vinaigrette

• Honey-grilled watermelon caprese salad:

  • Cherry tomatoes

  • Baby arugula

  • Mozzarella

  • Fresh basil

  • Balsamic glaze

• Candy stripe beet salad:

  • Spinach

  • Grapefruit

  • Candied pecans

  • Thin candy-striped beets

  • Carrot ginger vinaigrette

• Spinach & pear salad:

  • Candied almonds

  • Maple-sherry vinaigrette

Ditch the Heavy Main Courses

Spring is not the time to break out the dense red meat and carb-loaded entrées. Your guests will appreciate something a little lighter.

Think:

• Pan-seared halibut with lemon caper butter sauce

• Dijon herb-crusted lamb chops with new potato and spring vegetable hash

• Chicken saltimbocca topped with prosciutto, sage, and lemon herb pan jus

And don't forget your vegan and vegetarian options! Some of our scrumptious favorites include:

• Za'atar spiced eggplant with lemon tahini sauce

• Pakora Indian fritters with:

  • Shredded potato

  • Peppers

  • Carrots

  • Peas

  • Onions

  • Green curry lentils

  • Green chutney

  • Mild chili threads

Looking for something a little more casual? You can never go wrong with some delicious barbecue or wood-fired pizza.

In fact, some of our very own vendors specialize in those categories:

• Epicurean Catering (Pizza)

• Mountain Crust Pizza

• Broken Bones Craft Barbecue

• Buffalo Gals (BBQ)

Go for Fruit-Based Desserts

The sweetest way to top off your spring wedding menu? With a little fruit!

I can just taste it now:

• Warm lemon blueberry hand pies

• Refreshing strawberry lemonade dessert shooters

• Variety of fruit tartlets

• Limoncello panna cotta with strawberry coulis and fresh strawberries

Mmm…it doesn't get better than that!

Opt for Dessert Bites Instead of Cake

Not much for a traditional wedding cake? No problem!

These days, more and more couples are choosing wedding dessert displays, featuring a variety of bite-size treats. This practice is especially nice for a springtime wedding.

Modern wedding caterers have come up with all sorts of creative, grabbable desserts, including:

• Cheesecake bites

• Banana cream shooters

• Mini créme puffs or éclairs

• Chocolate raspberry brownie bites

• Mocha truffle squares

• Chocolate-dipped strawberries, pineapples, and marshmallows

• Italian parfaits with hazelnut mousse, biscotti, and berries

Your Spring Catering Options at Spruce Mountain Ranch

Where did we find all of these spring wedding menu ideas? Actually, this list merely hints at the true culinary artistry our renowned caterers create with vibrant, seasonal flavors.

If these mouthwatering descriptions have left you with an undeniable appetite, go on and check out our comprehensive list of local Colorado caterers.

Read more:

• Ultimate Guide to Spring Wedding Photography

• Outdoor Spring Wedding Tips at Spruce Mountain

• Seasonal Floral Arrangements for Your Spring Wedding

• 10 Essential Tips For Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue