From Cocktails to Dinner: Planning Your Madison Wedding Reception Menu

The vows have been exchanged, the photos have been taken, and now it’s time to party! Your wedding reception can take many forms, from a formal plated dinner and traditional open bar to food trucks, grazing tables, signature cocktails, and everything in between. With a little planning, you can create a reception timeline and menu that keeps the celebration moving while giving your guests plenty to eat, drink, and enjoy. Keep scrolling for our recommended wedding reception timeline, bar tips, catering tips, and plenty of inspiration from local celebrations.

Reception Timeline

COCKTAILS
1 Hour: Depending on your wedding logistics, cocktail hour typically begins immediately after the ceremony if your event is at the same venue. Add travel time needed to reach the reception if it’s at a different location.

INVITATION TO DINNER
15 Minutes: Guests are invited to take their seats for dinner.

GRAND MARCH
10 Minutes: The newlyweds are formally introduced to wedding guests. Some couples opt to precede their entrance by introducing family or wedding party members.

FIRST DANCE
5 Minutes: Keep the energy high by transitioning straight into your first dance with your new spouse! You can choose to dance for an entire song or ask your band or DJ to fade out about two minutes in.

WELCOME TOAST
5 Minutes: Family members, often the parents of the couple, or the couple themselves, offer a reception welcome toast, thanking guests and inviting everyone to enjoy the meal.

DINNER
45 Minutes: Typically, dinner will last about 45 minutes, depending on the meal-service style you choose.

WEDDING PARTY TOASTS
10 Minutes: In between courses, wedding-party members are usually invited to say a few words.

CAKE CUTTING
10 Minutes: If you opt for a cake, this tasty event can be after the first dance if it needs to be plated for your guests or shortly after dinner if it is a
self-serve station.

Karmen Lindner Photography

Minty Avenue Photography

Bar Service

Bring on the flavor and the fun with unique drink options for you and your guests! From the display aesthetics to the refreshments served, the possibilities are endless. Some couples opt for the traditional bar, sometimes offered at the reception venue, while others hire a mixologist to customize and create their own menus. And if you can’t go to the bar, the bar can come to you! Mobile bar services are a fun and trendy way to shake and stir up the party—and some exciting concoctions!

Remember, bar service options can offer more than just alcoholic beverages! From signature cocktails and tasty mocktails to coffee, tea, juice carts, soda, smoothie stations, infused waters, and beyond, Milwaukee boasts an incredible selection of delicious drinks and innovative beverage craftsmanship and artistry!

NOTE: Find out what your venue offers and learn any venue or state rules and regulations, along with who provides the liability insurance if serving alcohol.

Twig & Olive Photography

Types of Bar Service

OPEN BAR: An open bar is usually a flat-rate or per-person rate based on the guest count. You can host an open bar for a set period or for the entire event.

CONSUMPTION BAR: Similar to an open bar, but rather than paying a flat rate, the host pays for each drink ordered throughout the event.

CASH BAR: Guests pay for their own drinks during a cash bar. This can help if you have a small budget. Plus, guests typically drink less when they are paying, so this is often a safer option. Some couples choose to pay for select beers, wines, or signature drinks to serve guests in an open-bar style, while keeping mixed drinks available as a cash bar.

DRY BAR: Simply provide a selection of sodas, juices, or flavored waters. Add some fun, non-alcoholic options to your event, such as a mocktail menu, tea bar, coffee cart, or CBD Bud Bar.

Appetizers

Annika Frame Photography

COCKTAILS & APPETIZERS: Enjoyed before the main meal, these delectables offer an opportunity to mingle with your guests or keep guests busy while you’re off taking photos. It is also a great option if you decide not to have a full meal and instead serve more filling appetizers and small bites. There are many creative options and ideas, from gorgeous grazing tables to passed hors d’oeuvres, food trucks, and more!

The Meal

When creating your reception menu, start by deciding whether you will have a dinner, brunch, or a cocktail reception with heavy appetizers in place of a meal. After selecting the type of meal you will serve, think about how it will be served. We’ve listed some ideas to discuss with your caterer, whether they are through your venue or are an outside catering vendor.

Remember to offer options for guests with dietary restrictions, and consider providing a kid-friendly, less expensive option if children are invited. Your meal choices may be based on the formality of your event or include some of your favorite dishes, a family recipe, ethnic cuisine, or local and seasonal foods. Talk with your caterer about your options, pricing, and schedule a taste test!

Brianna Kraft Photography

Food Serving Options

PLATED: This is the most formal reception choice. Guests are seated, typically at a designated table, and served a plated meal. Entrée options are chosen in advance on the response card, and menu cards are often part
of the table décor.

BUFFET: Guests can choose their seats and proceed through the buffet line when their table is called.

FAMILY-STYLE: Food is placed on the table in large serving dishes for guests to pass around. Table assignments can be designated in advance, or guests can choose seats upon arrival.

Annika Frame Photography

Fun Food Ideas

PICNIC OR RELAXED COOKOUT
Perfect for a casual wedding, consider picnic fare, cookout, or a pig roast. If served outdoors, remember to consider ways to keep critters from enjoying your food as well.

FOOD STATIONS
Food stations are mini-buffets, each offering something special, such as a meat-carving station, pasta or potato bar, dessert station, or an ethnic or themed station. These are fun alternatives that can cater to your tastes and offer a variety of options for your guests!

FOOD CARTS & TRUCKS
Food carts and trucks are a fun, modern addition to the wedding scene. You might consider sliders, cheese curds, or tacos, to name a few. Be aware of what your venue will allow onsite and if space is available. You can provide various options for making it a meal or for late-night snacks while dancing.

A NOD TO YOUR HERITAGE
Honoring your city, state, country, or family heritage in your menu creation can be a personalized and exciting experience for your guests. Whether you are celebrating Chinese traditions or southern customs, it’s easy to blend cultures on your menu. This can be as involved as crafting the entire customized menu or selecting a few special elements, such as appetizers or a cultural dessert.

GRAZING TABLES
Grazing tables are ideal if you’re looking for buffet-style vibes with a more decadent look, using high-quality ingredients and striking styling to create a delectable dining experience for guests. This option is a great catering route since you can mix, match, and customize the tables to your heart’s content. Think platters of meats, veggies, fruits, crackers, and fermented foods arranged in a casual yet beautiful way.

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Next Up: Dessert Advice

Click the profiles below to learn more about our top recommended Madison-area catering companies, then keep exploring our advice blog for more wedding planning tips, and our vendor directory to start building your dream team!

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