Design Tips for a Wedding Menu

Try a streamlined look for an elegant wedding menu

Wedding menus are all about subtle, beautiful design that complements the décor of the reception venue and overall event ambiance. Here are some design tips for a wedding menu that fits this description.

Break Free from Wedding Invitations

Your wedding color scheme is the element you should pay attention to in creating a cohesive design. The wedding menu is part of the reception, so it should reflect that design. Another thought is to consider going monochromatic. It’s very chic to match the menu to your tablecloth. Try using the exact same shade in the menu design for an elegant look.

Focus on Flowers

Take a cue from your floral arrangements. If you have a white table cloth and blue flowers, the menus will pop and tie the table together if your design is blue. However, avoid mixing up too many colors.If you have a multi-colored floral motif, don’t go crazy with the menu design colors. Try two or three colors max to keep the design elegant.

Keep Fonts Clean

Calligraphy can be beautiful...or hard to read. Your wedding is a formal enough event for calligraphy fonts, but make sure it is readable. After all, it is a menu and you want your guests to know what they are eating, especially in low candlelight. Modern, simple fonts are a better choice. Elegance is not all about swirls, flowers and curves. You can also present an elegant menu with a modern font choice. Sans serif fonts keep the menu simple, and these fonts complement a complex pattern such as a paisley or floral spray.

Try a Monogram

What better place than the wedding menu to showcase your new initials? Be sure this is the central design element and don’t try to mix it with a crazy pattern such as a paisley because it will clash. Also, don't forget to incorporate your names and wedding date into the design. Unless you are using the monogram, your names and wedding date need to appear in the menu design. Some brides and grooms elect to put it on the reverse side as the only design element. This can look elegant if you place the menus facedown at the place settings. Just be sure someone tells the guests to flip the menu over to view it.

Use Design Elements Wisely

Don’t go with cliché design elements such as champagne glasses and bubbles unless you really love these elements. The menu doesn’t have to be literal, just beautiful. Try adding modern, elegant embellishments, such as punched out designs. Specialized hole punches can give you two design elements to work with – a unique cut-out in the menu card itself and beautifully shaped confetti for the table. Try hearts or stars for an elegant touch. A beautiful ribbon or even tactile elements such as sequins or buttons can take add pizzazz to a simple menu design. Adding a fabric covered backer can give the menu weight and formalize it.

No matter what design elements you choose, selecting one bold statement (color, design or fonts) and keeping the rest of the design simple is the most effective way to achieve a winning wedding menu design.