What is a typical wedding breakfast menu in the UK?

Short answer

A typical UK wedding breakfast is a three-course sit-down meal: a starter, a main course, and a dessert, often followed by tea and coffee. Common choices include soup or prawn cocktail, roast chicken or beef, and a chocolate or fruit dessert.

The wedding breakfast is the formal meal after the ceremony, and in the UK it usually means a served three-course meal. You will often find a starter like a light soup, a prawn cocktail, or a simple salad. The main course is traditionally a roast, such as chicken, beef, or lamb, served with potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Vegetarian options are standard, and fish is also popular. Dessert might be a chocolate torte, cheesecake, or a fruit crumble. After the meal, coffee and tea are served, sometimes with petits fours.

Many couples now choose a sharing-style main or a buffet to keep things relaxed. You can also swap the traditional three courses for two, or add a cheese course instead of dessert. The key is to pick food that is easy to serve to many guests at once, and that suits the season and your venue's kitchen. Your caterer will usually offer a tasting session so you can try the dishes before you decide. Remember that the wedding breakfast is not breakfast at all; it is the first meal of the wedding day, and it can happen at lunchtime or in the evening.