Alternative ideas for a wedding feast

When wedding guests sit down to a meal at a wedding reception, some will probably expect to be served a three-course meal consisting of a starter, main course and dessert accompanied by plenty of wine to toast the newlyweds.

If not, then they may be treated to an extensive buffet with all kinds of delicious finger food to sample and nibble at, followed by a slice of wedding cake.

But what if this is not the case?

Couples everywhere are increasingly looking for more and more ways to make their big day as unique as possible, from the wedding invitations they send out to the location of the ceremony.

This is no different when it comes to receptions and the type of food served can really help to set the tone and feel of the event.

If couples want a relaxed, informal affair, one idea could be to host a barbecue. This is perfect for summer weddings as what could be better than sitting outside in a tent or marquee on a warm July evening with youngsters playing on the grass and a fire sizzling away in the corner?

And a barbecue doesn't just have to mean sausages and burgers. Oh no. There are plenty of fine foods and meats that can be grilled to perfection as an alternative meal.

Served with a selection of salads, vegetables, pastas, coleslaws and dips, it's hard to imagine anything nicer on a sunny day.

While members of the family may want to have an attempt at preparing the coals and flame-grilling the meat themselves, it is easy enough to call in the professionals and get them to do all the hard work, as there are plenty of catering companies that specialise in barbecues and roasts.

If this doesn't take your fancy or you plan on hosting an indoor reception, we suggest holding a bit of a fondue party.

As Suite101 points out, this is "the perfect way to celebrate just about anything" and a wedding is the ideal opportunity to indulge in some rich, tasty and "delectable" ingredients.

It is easy to have a three-course meal with a fondue set, as there are different options when it comes to the dip. A good idea is to use cheese for the first course, a broth for the main part of the meal and then chocolate for the dessert.

We suggest having a fondue pot on each table so that there aren't too many people fighting over the food, accompanied by plenty of different treats for dipping, like various breads, seafood, meat and vegetables, plus fruit, marshmallows and biscuits for pudding.

Give everyone their own fork and let them dig in.

While the bride and groom may want to keep other aspects of their big day traditional, when it comes to food they can really push the boat out and try something different.