What kind of wedding menu should be chosen for an outdoor, tented wedding?

Author:

Szabó Tekla

Published: 03 aug. 2024
Updated: 16 feb. 2026

An outdoor green wedding is enchanting, but it requires more attention than a traditional indoor venue wedding.

It's worth renting an event tent, as it will protect not only the guests but also the food served from the heat and rain. Whether you have a rented tent or not, to ensure a successful event, you must consider a few unwritten rules for outdoor catering. These rules apply whether it's a smaller engagement lunch, an afterparty or a wedding feast for more than a hundred people.

1. Weather-resistant dishes

In the summer heat, food can spoil easily, so choose dishes that do not require refrigeration and can withstand the heat. If possible, have the food prepared fresh on-site. In extreme heat, raw eggs can cause food poisoning, so no matter how delicious they may be, avoid serving dishes with mayonnaise. Yogurt-based dressings can be a good substitute. Seafood and fresh fish also require careful preparation and refrigeration, so unless the wedding is next to a fish pond, I do not recommend them. Other delicate ingredients include mushrooms and chicken. As for pastries, avoid those with easily melting buttercream. Frequent hand washing and regular cleaning of kitchen surfaces are crucial.

2.  Lifesaving appetizers

Well-thought-out, flavorful appetizers set the tone for the entire wedding feast. Guests arriving hungry from a long journey will be eager to eat something and will greatly appreciate immediately consumable delicacies. Especially if they have attended multiple ceremonies and experienced a delay in the schedule... The appetizer should remain what it is—a meal that calms the initial hunger, introduces the wedding menu, and is not meant to fill up the guests. Otherwise, who will eat the main course?

3. Stylish and decorative bites

Decorative bites, mini quiches, look good and are delicious. Whether on toothpicks or not, the main thing is that they are light, tasty, and not messy. They can be eaten in one bite, even while walking and holding a champagne glass in one hand. They are the stars of standing receptions but can also be served at the wedding feast. Rent elegant cocktail tables so guests can comfortably eat and drink, and have a place to put down their glasses and small plates.

4. Tasty Barbecue and Grill

Barbecue and grill dishes are the stars of garden parties and outdoor weddings. Various types of meat, whether it's beef, pork, chicken, or even lamb, cooked on-site over charcoal, are sure to please the guests. The quality of the meat is what can transform a seemingly simple roast into a truly festive, gourmet dish. Delicious marinades and exotic spices can add variety. Grilling is not just for meat; you can also prepare interesting vegetable dishes. Or how about an entire roast piglet?

5. Traditional Dishes Cooked in the Oven and Cauldron

Meat roasted in the oven or traditional one-pot dishes cooked in a cauldron are delicious and practical, especially if the venue does not have a professional kitchen. Don’t forget classics like stuffed cabbage. Gourmet and light summer versions can be the stars of afterparties. Make sure to have a vegan option as well! These dishes are easy to prepare in advance and transport, having all the qualities that make them suitable for outdoor tent weddings.

6. Refreshing Salads

On a hot summer day, salads are particularly refreshing. Choose seasonal ingredients that don't spoil quickly and can even be prepared in advance. Beets and celery, combined with nuts, can be delicious! Use aromatic herbs generously! Draw inspiration from Mediterranean recipes and serve more substantial salads, such as grilled zucchini with yogurt or eggplant. Don’t forget the classic potato salad, especially if a side dish is needed. Add the dressing to fresh salads only at the last minute to keep them crispy for longer.

7. Suitable Beers and Wines

Ensure that the drinks harmonize with the food served and the atmosphere of the tent wedding. Light, fresh wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, as well as cold, refreshing beers, are perfect for warm weather. If the location has a cool cellar, that's ideal; if not, you need to provide refrigerators. It’s a good idea to rent a beer tap, as freshly tapped beer is tastier and easier to cool and transport than bottled or canned versions. As a welcome drink, you can serve Italian prosecco or sparkling wine, which are lighter than French champagne.

8. Fruity Summer Cocktails

Summer cocktails like Mojito, Gin Tonic, or Sangria are the stars of tent weddings. Non-alcoholic, ice-filled lemonades should not be missing either. Have you thought about how the theme of the decorations or thank you gifts can be reflected in the drink selection? Lemonades or cocktails can be flavored with lavender, rose petals, or other edible flowers. For example, if the gift is homemade elderflower syrup, then you definitely should have elderflower cocktails at the wedding!

9. Spectacular Dense Cakes

For an outdoor wedding, choose cakes that withstand heat well. It is advisable to avoid buttercream desserts that melt easily; instead, light cakes decorated with fresh fruits are a good choice. Choose dense cakes, which can be very spectacular—just think of the almost endless variety of cupcakes. Did you know that mini wedding cakes are also an option? Meringue-based desserts offer many decorative possibilities. Pavlova cakes decorated with fresh fruits and whipped cream, and colorful macarons, these elegant French pastries, withstand heat well. They can be made in any color and easily match the wedding theme. They are also great as wedding favors. Easy to transport, long-lasting, and delicious, they are sure to be appreciated by everyone.

10. Icy Delights

This is our final sure tip. What can be more refreshing in the summer than ice cream? Rent a small ice cream truck or, if the venue allows, serve parfaits, ice cream cakes, or ice cream sundaes among the desserts. Icy delights will be everyone's favorites, not just the kids, but adults will also be excited about them.


With these tips, you can ensure that the outdoor wedding will be memorable and successful despite any challenges. It is essential to choose foods that are not only delicious but also weather-resistant and easy to transport. Refreshing, light, and hydrating foods and drinks are preferred, not heavy and greasy ones! Experienced catering companies in outdoor events will know exactly which ones these are. Mobile cocktail bars are popular to rent, many companies can offer special barbecue or grill stations on-site. Food trucks can also solve the food issue, especially if you want a festival-like, party atmosphere. If you are personally handling the catering or hiring just a chef, make sure you pay attention to these rules for outdoor dining. 

Wishing you much happiness!