Written By Colleen McCarthy
Sit-down dinners are fun but can be costly and time-consuming. A great way to feed your wedding guests and accommodate their needs is to create a series of wedding charcuterie boards, also known as grazing tables.
Charcuterie boards are easy to create and don’t have to be basic. You can go in many directions to create an impressive, delicious charcuterie board.The best part is: charcuterie boards are an easy DIY wedding food if you’re looking to save on catering costs!
Here are some ideas you can use to make an amazing spread for your wedding day!
Appetizer Wedding Charcuterie Boards
Classic Elegance Board
This arrangement probably comes to mind when you hear “charcuterie board.” You’ll find an arrangement of bite-sized cheeses and meats, along with a variety of crackers.
Classic charcuterie boards also have items like olives, dips, and berries. Any extras will do, but they should be easy to grab with serving utensils and eat in one bite. Choose the items you enjoy!
Seafood Sensation
If you’re hosting a wedding reception in an area known for its local seafood, consider creating a seasonal seafood charcuterie board.
Include crab lefts, oysters, and mussels. Don’t forget sauces, butter, and other condiments to make the flavors pop.
Of course, you’ll need to be very careful with keeping this table cool. Use a layer of ice or a chill board beneath the food items. Also, avoid setting up a seafood spread in direct sunlight.
Farmers’ Market
If you like to support your local farmers and vendors, curating a spread using locally grown and created items will make a big statement.
Hit the local farmer’s market for jellies, breads, baked goods, and produce. What you choose will depend on the season and availability. Grab some fresh herbs for garnish.
Arrange the table to look like a market stall. Be sure to precut any large cakes or loaves of bread to ensure there’s enough for everyone!
Sushi Supreme
Sushi is pre-portioned, versatile, and a surefire crowd-pleaser! Choose a variety of ingredients to ensure everyone on your guest list can partake. For instance, you’ll want some vegetarian rolls, rolls with fish, and even some fun specialty rolls.
Include soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. You can also serve popular Japanese appetizers like edamame and cups of miso soup.
Main Course Charcuterie Board Ideas
BBQ Bonanza
If you’re hosting a summer wedding, nothing hits the spot quite like BBQ wedding reception! From short ribs to shrimp, choose proteins that are hearty to ensure they sit well on the table. Consider keeping the sauces separate so that guests can choose their spice level.
Offer a variety of sides, like coleslaw, mac and cheese, and rolls. Be mindful to place the cold components far from the hot ones to prevent them from spoiling.
Spanish Fiesta
Tapas, or small savory Spanish dishes, make for a great charcuterie board. This option is great for elegant, formal weddings because it can be served hot or cold and offers an exotic, but familiar array of foods.
Chopped olives, creamy cheeses, and dried fruits create high-level flavor profiles and hold up well on a grazing table for long periods of time. They are often layered on slices of rustic, crusty bread. This makes it a perfect way for guests to customize their plates and easily eat their meals.
Brunch Boards
If your wedding takes place earlier in the day, or if you are hosting a traditional brunch wedding reception, brunch boards are an extremely popular choice.
Brunch typically consists of hearty breakfast foods, like Belgian waffles, egg dishes, and pancakes. These are cost-effective foods that are sure to please! Include bagels, pastries, and muffins for easy grab-and-go bites.
Don’t forget to place bowls of syrup, jams, and pre-sliced butter throughout the board to ensure each guest can add the finishing touches to their plate.
Take Out Time
If you’re looking to wow your guests, creating a fast-food wedding charcuterie board will surely catch their attention! Simply place a catering order with one (or more!) of your favorite take-out places and pick it up on the day of your big event. Choose a mix of all that the restaurant has to offer.
Arrange the food on your trays, placing cups of sauce throughout the board. Create multiple piles of sides, like french fries, so that no matter which side your guest approaches, they can get a little bit of everything!
Rustic Italian
Italian foods are hearty and visually stunning. So it’s no surprise that a rustic Italian wedding charcuterie board will be a hit.
Choose cured meats like prosciutto and soppressata. Include crunchy breadsticks so guests can wrap the meat and cheese around them.
Olives, nuts, dried fruits, and cheeses add depth of flavor and texture as well. Give a nod to the Italian flag with layers of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil! Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette or some tartness.
Vegan and Vegetarian Wedding Charcuterie Boards
Healthy Harvest
Whether your guests are vegan, vegetarian, or just want to build a healthy place, you can’t go wrong with a wedding charcuterie board that highlights fresh fruits and veggies.
Create an elevated veggie tray with interesting vegetables, fresh fruits, and multi-grain crackers. Choose seasonal ingredients for maximum flavor. For instance, if you’re hosting a summer wedding, grilled pineapple shines on a healthy harvest tray!
Vegetarian Delight
Vegetarians love options. This charcuterie board will need lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Try to include every color of the rainbow for a beautiful grazing table.
Crackers, pretzels, and breadsticks add much-needed crunch, so don’t forget the hummus! You can also place vegetarian alternatives, like Beyond Meat products or dairy-free cheese to accommodate vegan guests.
Pita Party
Vegetarians will flip over a build-your-own-pita charcuterie board. Make it a meal by adding hearty veggies, like beets and sliced carrots. Hummus offers flavor and protein. You can also add Tzatziki sauce as another option.
Add cups of sides, like pistachios and olives, to round out the meal. This is a great option for large crowds and lunchtime weddings. Plus, guests can also build a salad instead of a pita, so it’s perfect for all dietary needs!
Bagel Bar
Another way to offer hearty options to your vegetarian guests is by crafting a bagel-themed grazing table. You can stack the bagels in the center of the board and ring them with lots of yummy toppings. Include a variety of thinly sliced vegetables and different flavors of cream cheese.
This is a great option for brides on a budget who need to feed a crowd. Order bagels from a local supplier in bulk. This is a great option that you can prepare ahead of time and quickly arrange on your special day.
Dessert Wedding Charcuterie Boards
Sweet Indulgence
Give everyone what they want with a delicious board of sweets. Go wild with a variety of cookies, candies, chocolates, truffles, and mini-wedding desserts. Add color with macarons and dried fruit.
This is an easy way to offer a sweet treat without having guests wait for their slice of cake. Plus, there’s something for every palate!
Hot Chocolate Bar
If you’re throwing a winter wedding or an evening reception outdoors, help your guests warm up with some hot chocolate.
Have a variety of flavored hot chocolate packets available, along with electric kettles for easy reheating. Offer marshmallows, peppermint stirring sticks, and whipped cream so your guests can customize their cups.
Crazy for Cookies
Cookies are another versatile dessert. Whether you opt for fresh baked or packaged, pile on every type of cookie you can think of.
Leave a few pairs of tongs so that guests can pick the cookies they like! To elevate your cookie tray, offer some unusual dips, like cannoli cream or dessert hummus. That way, guests can dip their cookies and try different flavor combinations.
Chocolate Covered Everything
If you and your future spouse are chocoholics, why not offer a tray of chocolate-covered goodies?
This is a great dessert charcuterie board option if you’re looking to DIY your grazing table. You can dip cookies, fruits, pretzels, and even potato chips. You can add sprinkles or edible accents that match your wedding theme to tie everything together.
With so much chocolate, you’ll need to be mindful of melting. Keep the charcuterie board in a cool place and away from direct sunlight.
Tips for Creating a Perfect Wedding Charcuterie Board
Wedding charcuterie boards are a great way to impress your guests and shrink your food budget. But you’ll need a few tips to get it just right. Here’s everything you need to know to craft the ultimate board spread.
Balance: Stick to the 3333 rule: three types of meat, three kinds of cheese, three starches, and three sides. This will ensure your board is balanced and elegant.
Quality Ingredients: While grazing tables are cost-effective, you don’t want to waste your budget on low-quality ingredients. Splurge here and there to elevate your board.
Presentation: No matter what foods you choose, they MUST be visually appealing! Choose items with a variety of colors and textures. Include interesting bowls and accents as well.
Accommodations: There’s a good chance someone on your guest list has food allergies or sensitivities. Be sure to include items that are generally safe. You don’t have to go out of your way to buy specialized foods. For instance, fruits, vegetables, and many cheeses are naturally gluten-free!
Pairings: Pay special attention to flavor profiles to ensure everything goes together. You don’t want guests to be grossed out by the options.
Quantity: Charcuterie boards are great, but you could quickly run out of food if you don’t plan. If you intend for these boards to serve as a main course, you’ll want 6-8 ounces of meat and cheese combined per person to be safe, plus enough accouterments for each person to have some.
Theme Alignment: Add touches to your grazing table that connect with your overall theme. You can do this through color choices, decor, or signage. You can even choose foods that connect with your theme!
Temperature Control: Whether you go for a hot or cold charcuterie board, you’ll meet to maintain the proper temperature to prevent food from spoiling. Use ice and chill boards or heated trays to keep everything at the right temp.
Conclusion
Whether you are working with a caterer or DIYing it, charcuterie boards are wonderful additions to any reception.Your special day should be just that, so choose foods and spreads that you enjoy and enhance your experience.
Your guests will love what you serve no matter what!
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Colleen McCarthy
