Throwing a wedding on a budget usually means that you have to make sacrifices and compromises. While this can sound somewhat negative, you don’t have to view adjustments to your wedding as a bad thing. In fact, the creativity involved with making budget-conscious changes to your event can make you feel pretty darn proud when all is said and done. If you’re trying to concoct a cost-effective plan for how to keep guests fed during the cocktail hour between ceremony and reception, charcuterie just might be the solution. 

What Is Charcuterie?

Anyone who has spent any time on social media in recent years has seen charcuterie boards in some capacity. Essentially, this is a board of mixed meats and other snacks. Typically, the board will contain an array of cured meats alongside cheeses, fruit slices or berries, crackers, and a variety of other options. The term charcuterie itself actually refers to the cooked, cold meat on the board and also refers to a type of store that specializes in selling a variety of meats, cheese, and so on. Though the idea is nothing new, many have been expanding upon the concept.

Create the Perfect Layout

The first step to a perfect charcuterie layout is selecting what items you’d like to feature. This is the fun part, as it usually involves picking out salty snacks and other delectable bits you can sample along the way. If possible, visit local businesses to obtain your meat, cheese, and produce. Not only is this a great way to pay it forward with your wedding, but you’re also more likely to gain some in-depth insight on which options will be your best bet. Be sure to look at sites like Instagram and Pinterest for additional inspiration.

Incorporating the Board Into the Wedding

Next, it is time to incorporate the boards into the cocktail hour. There are a few ways to go about this. If you’re hosting a small affair, you may want to think about putting separate charcuterie boards on each table guests will be sitting at. This will increase the odds of everyone having access to the boards without the need to move about. However, for a larger event, you may wish to explore a buffet-style board. Setting up a specific table where you can present the various charcuterie boards can encourage socializing and snacking simultaneously. 

Put the “Cute” in Charcuterie 

A big reason charcuterie has become so popular in recent years is that the boards tend to photograph well. This means that appearances will matter when it comes to your boards. Without a strategic layout, it can look like any other meat and cheese board you’re likely to see at an event. Since it is your wedding, you don’t want to waste time on this task yourself. Speak to caterers or someone in your wedding party and designate this individual as the one in charge of creating a spread that will look amazing on social media.

Make It Unique

Your final step should be putting your own spin on the boards. Since people have seen this type of spread many times over, adding a little something unique is a great way to make the cocktail hour stand out. If you or your partner are crazy about a specific food that can be easily incorporated into the board, like hot wings or a certain kind of dip, then this is the perfect way to go. Pairing the board with a selection of wines or a flight of beers can also help to highlight the “cocktail” part of cocktail hour. 

From the variety of snack options to the classic aesthetic they add to a wedding, charcuterie boards can go a long way on your big day. Look into the details and see how realistic it is for you to incorporate this option into your plans.