What a wedding breakfast is
The wedding breakfast is simply the main meal after the ceremony, whatever time of day it’s served. Traditionally it’s a sit-down meal with courses brought to the table. A street-food wedding breakfast keeps the idea of a shared celebration meal, but serves it in a more relaxed way: from a food truck, a taco bar or sharing platters.
Three ways to serve it
- Tables called up to the truck. Each table is invited up in turn to order at the hatch, then returns to eat. Sociable, and keeps the queue short.
- A build-your-own taco bar. A spread of warm tortillas, fillings, salsas, guacamole and toppings. Guests help themselves, with staff replenishing and helping. See our taco bar guide.
- Sharing platters to tables. Bowls of fillings, tortillas and sides brought to each table so guests build tacos together. The most like a traditional wedding meal, and it needs more staff and table space.
A sample menu
Every menu is agreed with the couple, but a wedding breakfast might look like this:
- While photos are taken: tortilla chips with fresh salsa and guacamole
- Main: tacos with a choice of fillings such as slow-cooked pork carnitas, chicken tinga and a vegan filling of spiced mushrooms or black beans
- On the side: salsas from mild to hot, pickled onion, lime, fresh herbs, cheese and soured cream served separately
- Perhaps burrito bowls for guests who prefer a fork
- Dessert: your wedding cake
Keeping it feeling special
- Set the tables properly. Linen, flowers and place names still work with street food.
- Serve the top table first, or have their food brought to them.
- Make the food part of the decor. A colourful taco bar or a truck framed by festoon lights looks great in photos.
- Pair the drinks. Margaritas, Mexican beer with lime, and aguas frescas for non-drinkers.
- Plan the speeches. Decide whether they come before or after the meal so food isn’t waiting.
Timing it right
A wedding breakfast has a fixed window between drinks and speeches or the first dance. Agree with your caterer when service starts and how long it should take to serve everyone. Tell your MC or venue coordinator the plan for calling tables, and build in a little slack in case the ceremony or photos run late. Our wedding catering timeline helps with planning.
Mixed diets
A street-food wedding breakfast is one of the easiest ways to feed mixed diets, because guests build their own plates from separate parts. Our menus include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, with allergen information for every dish. Ask about diets and allergies on your RSVPs and send your caterer the list with names. Guests with severe allergies should talk to us before the wedding.
Quantities
For a main meal, most caterers plan two to four tacos per person, more for hungry crowds and fewer when there are generous sides. With chips and dips beforehand and cake afterwards, the middle of that range is a common starting point. See how many tacos per person.
What to ask your venue
Check that the venue allows outside caterers and vehicles, where the truck or taco bar can go, and what power, water and covered space there is. If guests are eating in a marquee, ask where the truck can stand so the walk between them is short and, ideally, under cover. Our space and power checklist covers the details.
Getting a quote
Tell us your date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the meal served, and we’ll suggest a menu. Contact us for a quote through our quote form.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.