13 Things to Expect on a Typical French Wedding Menu

A nation known for their tasty cuisine, be it informal and wholesome or all out extravagant and intricate, the French sure know how to put on a good feast. With the wedding food structure typically being the usual canapés, followed by a three course meal and a late night snack (or slurp, more on that later…), we’ve listed below just some of the things you might expect to see on a typical French wedding menu. Perfect for if you’re either hosting a wedding a France or are attending as a guest and are a little intrigued…

1. Breads

First things first, you’ll be pleased to know that the well loved ‘pain’ will most definitely feature on the French wedding menu. From sliced baguettes to little buns all served with delicious butter which if you’re lucky might even be whipped, start the meal off nicely.

2. Starter Trio of Fois Gras, Scallops and Lobster

Traditionally, a lot of wedding menus typically start with a classic trio of options which include Fois Gras, Scallops and Lobster, which sounds pretty lovely and decadent to us!

3. French Pastries

Renowned for their beautifully decorated pastries and patisserie delights, a wedding is the perfect opportunity for the French to display their sweet culinary skills. Either served on their own or as part of a grazing table, they always go down wonderfully with guests.

4. Le Clafoutis

Usually made with cherries, Le Clafoutis is a popular dessert consisting of a layer of fruit which is then topped with batter, baked and sometimes dusted with a lovely layer of icing sugar. This is a perfect choice for a more laidback wedding.

5. Cheese

You didn’t think you’d go to a French wedding without the appearance of cheese did you? As a country known for its delicious and well-loved varieties of cheese, it’s highly likely a cheese board will appear in some form throughout the day. Whether it be a canapé or grazing table at the cocktail reception or a follow up to the dessert, prepare to make the most of the tasty cheeses on offer.

6. Chicken Liver Parfait

One for guests with a more acquired taste, Chicken Liver Parfait is a popular dish within France, so you’ll likely see it either served as a canapé or as a starter along with lots of lovely slices of fresh bread.

7. Coq au Vin

A dish that can be served up both formally and informally, Coq au Vin is a great crowd pleaser no matter the style of wedding. For more formal weddings, expect it to be plated up individually and exquisitely and for more informal, laid-back wedding, it’s a lovely dish to pop in the middle of the table along with lots of tasty sharing sides that all your guests can dig into.

8. Beef Burgundy

Similar to Coq au Vin, Beef Burgundy or Beef Bourguignon is a really popular slow cooked beef dish that is literally melt in the mouth. Cooked over a number of hours with a mixture of beef, onion, carrots, mushrooms and a healthy glug of red wine, it is delicious served with mash.

9. Onion Soup

Quite the unlikely star of the show at a French wedding, Onion Soup is the dish that’s brought out right at the end of the night to help soak up a bit of the alcohol and send merry guests on their way. Forget chips or a pizza, this is drunken food done the French way! If the couple don’t opt to do this though, it’s likely you may also find it on the starter menu too.

10. Beef Fillet

A simple yet classic favourite for a lot of French weddings is the beef fillet. Whether it be served up individually or as a sharing dish in the centre of the table, it pairs wonderfully with lots of sides and feels nice and special at a wedding.

11. Pyramid of Macaroons

Much like the wedding cake alternative of a Croquembouche, which also happens to be in a pyramid shape, a cone of Macaroons is also a popular choice for dessert or to finish the meal. In beautiful pastel shades, they fit right in at a wedding and their lovely almond-y taste and light texture is just delicious.

12. Duck Breast

Much like Fois Gras is popular in the region, as is duck breast. Served simply or confited, it’s a popular choice for a formal French wedding and is surprisingly delicious served with fruits such as blackberries.

13. Creme Brûlée

And last but not least, the well-loved Creme Brûlée. Consisting of a rich and creamy custard base and topped with a layer of hard, crispy caramel, it’s a wonderful mix between hard and smooth and very easy to eat a little too quickly!