What is a traditional wedding breakfast menu in the UK?

Short answer

A traditional UK wedding breakfast often starts with a starter like soup or prawn cocktail, followed by roast meat with vegetables, and ends with a dessert such as trifle or cheesecake. Vegetarian and vegan options are now standard.

The classic British wedding breakfast has three courses. A common starter is a light soup, a prawn cocktail or a smoked salmon dish. The main course is usually roast beef, chicken or lamb, served with potatoes, seasonal vegetables and gravy. Dessert is often something sweet and comforting, like sticky toffee pudding, trifle, cheesecake or a fruit tart.

These days, venues offer a range of choices, and you are not tied to tradition. Many couples choose a modern menu with a twist, such as a sharing platter, a curry station or a barbecue. The important thing is that the food is hot, tasty and served to everyone at the same time.

You will usually be asked to pick two or three options per course for your guests to choose from in advance. This helps the kitchen plan and reduces waste. Always include a vegetarian option, and ask about vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly choices.

A traditional menu works well for a formal wedding, but you can adapt it to your taste and budget. Some couples swap the sit-down meal for a hog roast or a fish and chip van, which can be just as memorable.