Perfect Meal Ideas for Outdoor New Jersey Weddings

Having an outdoor wedding in New Jersey is more than just taking advantage of the pleasant spring, summer, or fall weather. It is a unique opportunity to allow your guests to engage all their senses with sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that highlight the perks of the season you are planning your wedding in.

Part of this means picking the perfect New Jersey outdoor wedding menu. The following are some food ideas we at Chartwell Gardens have seen to be guest pleasers during outdoor weddings in New Jersey.

Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato, and Basil Garden Skewers

The beauty of this simple yet tasty appetizer is that the basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella work together to produce a natural, straight out of the garden taste and feel. If you want to add more substance to these skewers, think about adding chipotle beef or Cajun chicken to give it a little extra kick.

Leaf Salad With Strawberries

Salads are a staple at most weddings. A spring or fall wedding is a great time to treat your guests to a fresh leaf salad that is topped with mandarin oranges, strawberries, red onions, and a sweet but tangy vinaigrette dressing. The freshness of the flavors combined with the outdoor environment is a combination your guests will be talking about for years to come.

Sliders

Sliders are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about wedding food. If your outdoor event is more casual, a slider station with a bunch of topping options is the way to go. There is something about seeing a slider station that includes cheese, fried onions, rolls, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, kettle chips, and jalapenos that makes everyone perk up. If you want to keep the casual summer feel but make things a little classier, find a caterer that will bring a slider station that uses sliced tenderloins instead of ground beef. Your guests will love you for it.

Gourmet Popcorn

Take the warm summer night air and a clear sky, throw in a couple of fireworks and the smell of gourmet popcorn, and you have turned your outdoor wedding into a festive, magical event. Anyone who has smelled gourmet popcorn knows that it will immediately get mouths watering.

It is your wedding, so don’t be afraid to go big with the flavors. Consider flavors like banana split, jalapeno, cheddar, lemon, or grape. Set a little bit of your favorite flavor aside because once the night ends, you will probably want a delicious little snack.

Gelato

Ice cream is good. But gelato is better, especially if you plan your wedding from June through August when the weather is hot outside. The delicious flavor of gelato gives your guests a chance to cool down from the heat and invokes feelings of summer. Any flavor will do. But think about summer flavors like lemon, orange, or raspberry. Add a toppings station with candies, granola, caramel syrup, and whipped cream. You may even opt to serve gelato instead of a wedding cake.

Interactive Foods

Mealtime is when your guests get to interact. You can make the experience beneficial for them with interactive bar foods. Having these set in different locations on the outdoor grounds gives your guests the chance to interact with each other, catch up, and fill their bellies.

You can go as extravagant as you want. If you love breakfast, why not create a waffle and bacon bar? Macaroons, pretzels, toast, jam, or even seafood can all be presented in an interactive way your guests will love.

Main Meals That Make an Impression

Glazed salmon with seasoning and grilled vegetables is a standard outdoor main meal. Lasagna is great for smaller outdoor weddings. Rustic weddings where you want to re-create a family dining style can serve tasty fried chicken. Kebabs, like chicken, beef, mushroom, turkey, or fish, are always crowded pleasers.

Plan Your Wedding at a Place for Outdoor Celebrations and Events

Chartwell Gardens is a 15-acre property perfect for weddings and other significant events in New Jersey. Are you planning a smaller gathering? You can rent out just a part of our facility. Our amenities range from beautiful pavilions and swimming pools to outdoor seating and cooking locations. We invite you to join the countless individuals who have trusted us to be the location for their special events. Call us at (856) 983-8827, or reach out online to learn more about the amenities and services we provide.