What would you serve with this wedding buffet?

[ThankYouVeryMuchGerry]

We're getting married next year and have decided to do a traditional summer fork buffet - we have some very unadventurous eaters so we can't have anything we'd usually think about eating. Anyway!

We're having canapés to start (meat/fish/veg) and then;
Roast beef
Roast gammon
Poached salmon
Salads
Breads

And then dessert - either Eton mess, choc brownie or another yet to be decided (thinking maybe lemon tart?).

My questions are;
Do you think we should add roast turkey to the meats (or chicken)?

What salads should we go for? They have quoted for a green salad and new potatoes as requested, but for the rest of it they seem to be serving veg you would expect with Xmas dinner!

I was thinking of asking for a simple green salad, a tomato salad and two others, but I can't think what - maybe we could go a little more adventurous here, but still recognisable to the plain eaters.

Also, what are your views on desserts? And should we serve a cheeseboard?

Should add, its a very intimate wedding for 20-30 people so cost isn't an issue.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

I assumed everything would be cold, but cold parsnips & sprouts ??

From a personal POV, I wouldn't do canapes + dessert + cheese board.
2 out of 3 would be enough, unless there would be a very long gap between canapes & dinner.

I don't think you need turkey as well. This is a lot of food already! I'd also suggest a French potato salad (dressed in vinaigrette and herbs) as well as a maybe a grain-based salad. Does everything have to be plain? An Ottolenghi-style vegetable-heavy salad would jazz things up.

I'd do a lighter option for dessert- Eton mess or lemon tart rather than brownies.

Assuming your guests all eat meat, I think you have enough choice. Definitely cold salad with this. Your puddings are nice, and a cheeseboard would be a lovely end.

If you have any vegetarians coming they'll be very disappointed.

Something vegetarian definitely. If Cole then quiches or terrines.

Good call on the veggie options! I don't think we've got any veggies but that menu does look very meat heavy. I'll ask for a few veggie options so we can make a choice, but I think quiche always goes down well?

I would add:

A grain based salad
A (vegetable) quiche / loaf /cake (I love this one.)
A bean salad (Like this or this)

Bear in mind that if you add a veggie option (which I would definitely recommend instead of adding roast turkey) the omnivores will take a bit of everything so make sure there's enough of it to ensure the veggies and vegans do actually get a main course!

Otherwise, sounds great.

I'd go with some form of coleslaw. Not wildly exciting but if you have an army of simple tastes, it's not too out there. You could go for a traditional mayo based slaw but if you want it a bit different then there are plenty of options, I really like the 'naked slaws' with a much lighter vinegar based dressing, or somewhere in between subbing mayo for yoghurt. Coleslaws with apple are good too or something Mexican inspired with lime juice and chilli.

I think a watermelon, cucumber, feta and mint is a nice summer salad. Looks really colourful and summery!

Cous cous with harrisa chickpeas, red onion, lots of fresh herbs.

I think a cheese board is nice if it's served later in the evening but theres no way I could eat canapés, main, dessert and then cheese all in one go.

I agree you need a vegetarian ‘main’ of some description, what about falafel & hummus on pitta bread?

I’d add a coleslaw, and a bean or cous cous type salad.

What about some new potatoes with mint? Agree with the above falafel suggestion as a veggie main

a bean,pasta or grain based salad
a kathumba type salad.
some veggie tartlets
coleslaw
would the new potatoes have butter and parsley or chives on not just dry

What about a fruit salad too or fruit skewers.
lemony mirangue pie.
Eton mess.
a cheese board always goes down well

I’d offer a choice of 3-4 puds. Always feels more festive and indulgent.

your three sound agreat combination. Plus a pure fruit one. Either salad or skewers

I think it’s fine to cater to the boring eaters, but you don’t need to exclusively y cater to them?

I'm an adventurous eater but don't expect adventurous food at every meal and particularly not at a wedding nor at any mass catered event. So I wouldn't worry about playing it safe, but the other advice is sound about veggie dishes and tasty salads to give more interesting options. Perhaps satay chicken skewers, say, instead of roast turkey. Something with a bit of spice and oomph anyway.