Food, Glorious Food – What to Expect from Catering for Your Wedding Abroad!
Let’s face it – when you think about your wedding abroad, sunshine and jaw-dropping views probably come to mind first... but what about the food? As someone who’s worked across 5-star hotels in the UK and USA, independent wedding venues galore, and side-by-side with some incredible caterers as a wedding planner, I can safely say, the catering at your destination wedding venue is just as important as the flowers and the dress. Maybe more. (Yes, I said it!)
From sizzling BBQs on sun-soaked terraces to dreamy patisserie corners filled with bite-sized bliss, your wedding abroad is going to be a foodie dream (even for the most demanding guests).
Here's what to expect from your big day feast:
The Lowdown on Destination Wedding Food Packages
Depending on your venue – whether it’s a charming villa in Tuscany, a beach club in Greece, or an all-inclusive hotel in Mexico – the catering setup will vary. Some venues have in-house kitchens, others bring in top-notch caterers, and resorts often work on pre-set packages. But trust us: the destination wedding food is always drool-worthy.
Typical inclusions:
Canapés: Served after the ceremony – think chic little bites on silver or wooden trays.
Food stations: Bigger bites, more casual vibes. A tapas corner or Greek gyros stand, anyone?
Charcuterie & Cheese Corners: Local meats, cheeses, olives, and fresh breads. Heaven!
Pizza Corner: Wood-fired, bubbling pizzas made on the spot – what more do you need? And it smells delicious for miles away!
Patisserie Stations: Wedding cake + mini desserts + fresh fruits = many flavours = everyone’s happy.
Then comes the sit-down meal
Often a set menu with 1 starter, 1 main, and 1 dessert. All pre-ordered by the newlyweds from the extensive set menu was well discussed and tasted well before the wedding day.
Golden rule for the couple: pick what you love! It’s your day!
L’Chateau Paphos
Dietary Needs & Late-Night Nibbles
All venues nowadays cater for vegans, veggies, gluten-free, pescatarians – you name it. Just flag serious allergies well in advance.
Evening snacks? Abroad, the main meal is served later on due to the ceremony taking place later on in the day due to heat, so evening food is often a repeat of the earlier food stations, or instead of the daytime ‘food corners’.
That said, in places like Poland or the Czech Republic, it’s normal to queue for a delicious midnight goulash so you can keep dancing till 5 am. Respect!
Drink Packages: What’s the Craic?
Most wedding venues abroad include:
A welcome drink after the ceremony (bubbly, cocktails, beers – or all three!)
Wine with dinner (usually half a bottle per person.)
Open bar for a few hours post-meal (local spirits, beers, softs, teas & coffees)
Fancy upgrading? You can always extend the hours of service or go for international spirits. Or go low-key with a cash bar – just be mindful some cultures find this rude.
Brits? We're used to buying a round or two!
All-Inclusive Resorts – Don’t Assume It’s Free!
Even if you’re staying in an all-inclusive hotel, your wedding is a private event. That means food and drink packages are still chargeable – think of it as hiring your own private restaurant inside the resort.
Guests not staying at the resort? They’ll need a day pass (sometimes including food & drinks) to join the celebration. Worth factoring into your plans when choosing the resort! Can all guests afford to stay at the same resort? And will they pay the pass, which is usually around £100 per person?
Minimum Spend vs Venue Hire Fees
Some wedding venues abroad don’t charge a hire fee, but instead require a minimum food & drink spend – e.g., €8,000. That could feed 60 guests nicely or allow you to splurge on gourmet upgrades for an intimate 30-person wedding. Our WedAwai planners always break this down to make it easy. So when you see a ‘minimum number of guests required’ this usually means there is a minimum spend in this venue.
Wedding Cakes Abroad – A Delicious Surprise!
Forget dense fruitcake – wedding cakes abroad are light, fluffy, and fabulously fresh. Again, the locals are well aware of the hot weather and cakes do reflect this! Often served as dessert (genius) or even before the sit-down meal, they're designed to impress and be devoured.
We love the latest trend of finishing your Millefeuille with the Chef!
Service Styles to Expect
Family Style: Shared platters in the middle – relaxed, sociable, and popular in Greece & Cyprus.
Buffet or BBQ: Live cooking shows with all the trimmings. Smells amazing!
Seated Service: Elegant, plated courses with pro staff floating around like a waltz.
Top Tip, Your wedding etiquette: Newlyweds eat first. Always. If they pop off for sunset photos, everything pauses. It’s their show, after all.
In a (Stuffed) Nutshell...
Planning a wedding abroad means embracing the full sensory experience – and that includes incredible food and drink. Whether it’s trying a brand-new local dish or clinking glasses of homegrown wine, your guests will remember these flavours for years.
So, don’t worry if it’s not your usual roast dinner or fish and chips – lean in, taste everything, and enjoy the ride. You might just discover your new favourite dish!
📍 Planning your wedding abroad?
Let WedAwai help you find a venue that suits your food dreams and your guest list. Whether you're after fine dining in Tuscany or a beachfront BBQ in Mallorca, we've got you.
📝 Ready to get started? Download our Free Destination Wedding Starter Kit or explore your perfect wedding venue abroad
Frequently asked questions:
Do we include under-18s in the alcoholic drinks package even if they don’t drink?
No, there are always soft drinks available for children (water, juices)
What happens if some guests don’t drink the allocated wine?
It will get distributed to the tables that do! Drinks are yours!
Are linen, plates, cutlery, crockery, and glasses included in the menus?
Yes, unless stated otherwise. Catering does include all of the above plus tables and standard chairs.