To ask what meal you would prefer at a wedding

[Eliza9919]

Choices are:

BBQ
Meats (not sausages & burgers), salads, bread etc

Small hog roast
Suckling pig (only 26 guests), salads, bread etc

Steak or fish & chips, wedding cake as dessert

3 course meal with chocolates & coffee etc

Free choice off the menu: starter/main/dessert

Other, please elaborate

What would you prefer and any particular reason why?

I like a sit down meal personally but if you do this, my advice would be to not randomly mix the guests up. So if you have guests in the same friendship group, I wouldn't split them up to sit with randoms. Very antisocial of me I know but I hate the small talk "So how do you know the bride and groom" type chat. If groups of people know each other sit them with their friends, they will definitely have a better time IME.

I love a good hog roast but a bbq would be better, would stand out more in people's minds and there is more scope for different options.

No to chocolate - not everyone can eat it. If you do go for a chocolate based dessert, have an alternative available. It's intensely frustrating that it is often the default option in menus even in restaurants, with only a nod to people who can't eat it.

To be fair, the OP did ask for opinions.

Free choice off the menu. That way everyone gets something they'd like.

3 course meal with chocolates & coffee etc

I cannot eat BBQ food.

Weddings are incredibly boring, I only go f I cannot possibly get out of it, and the only positive is the nice food.

You may wish to choose a BBQ so you can avoid grumpy bastards like me

I’m vegetarian and I still think the bbq sounds best! As long as there is plenty of halloumi and bbq veg.

I am too and agree with this!

We had a small reception at a nice pub, they put together a selection of starters, mains and desserts from their menu and everybody pre-ordered. Everyone was very happy and it made the service easy for the pub. Add plenty of wine and it was a lovely day.

BBQ or hog roast for sure

@Thurmanmurman it's immediate family and a few close people only, 26 Inc us.

I would want either a 3 course meal or free choice off the menu

Not too fussed on a bbq but it would definitely be a third option.

Fish and chips, I'd eat but some of my dc and dh wouldn't and I'd prefer steak but again my dc wouldn't eat it.

I couldn't eat suckling pig as I just couldn't look at the poor thing and watch chunks of it sliced off. I mean, it's only a baby!

Ideally a choice would be great!

Fish and chips

I like a proper sit down meal at a wedding, like a pp I find weddings really boring and the sit down meal takes up a bit of time and is usually good quality. I love BBQs but I feel you can have one any time, for me it's not special enough for a wedding. Wouldn't fancy a hog roast at all, poor little piggy. As you can see on this thread, you will never please everyone, so pick whatever you fancy.

We had a bbq like you describe.Everyone enjoyed it

Definitely not bbq or hog roast. I’d be more than happy steak/fish and chips or a 3 course meal.

I think your plan sounds fab OP I’d find that a well catered wedding if I was attending.

Fish and chips

Any of those options are good for me because I’m basically very appreciative of a free dinner, although I’ve never had fish & chips at a wedding so if I had to choose I’d choose that.

Please check the venue know about cross contamination for people with coeliac disease.

Tips from coeliac.org.uk
Keep cooking utensils separate during food preparation and cooking
Avoid frying food in the same oil that has previously been used to cook foods which contain gluten
Use a clean grill, separate toaster or toaster bags to make gluten-free toast
Use separate breadboards and wash surfaces thoroughly
Use separate condiments like jam, butter, mustard and mayonnaise.

Think it sounds great, would have a plan for if it rains though.

We had a posh bbq for 20 with nice salads, DIY ice cream sundaes for dessert and bring your own booze.

The following day we had a lunch with 20 cornish pasties! Amazing

Sorry meant to say it was all professionally catered.

at 'free' dinner

That sounds lovely. Actually I wouldn't have minded any of your options.

Free choice off a menu. I hate standing in lines to be served, BBQs are ok but so weather dependant and again you have the buffet / self serving issue.
I like to be able to sit down after standing for photos, canapés etc, enjoy good food and wine at a table and be waited on, eat with cutlery and not have sticky fingers whilst in my finery.