One of the things to look out for at a Nigerian wedding is our delicious and flavorful cuisine (food gives life to any party) and curating the perfect wedding menu can be the icing on the cake for a spectacularly planned wedding. We have selected some wedding menu ideas and catering tips to help you plan the perfect Nigerian wedding feast:
Wedding Menu Ideas:
- Party Jollof Rice: There’s no Nigerian wedding without this staple dish (look out for a caterer that can prepare proper party jollof rice), and it’s typically served with chicken or beef with coleslaw.
- Fried rice: This is the sister to Jollof rice. Where there is jollof rice, fried rice should be present. They are typically served together.
- Moi Moi: This is a popular side dish made with Nigerian bean, spices, fish and other condiments.
- Coleslaw: I consider this the junior sister to salad and it is made with different vegetables including cabbage and carrots mixed with cream. It is served along with the party jollof rice and fried rice.
- Egusi Soup: This is a rich and hearty soup made from melon seeds and various vegetables.
- Pounded Yam: This is a starchy side dish made from yam, which is pounded into a dough-like consistency and is typically served with vegetable soup like Efo-riro.
- Semo: Not everyone is a fan of pounded yam so this makes a good alternative. It can be served with a variety of soups depending on the tribe. It goes well with Ofe owerri, Nsala, Bitterleaf soup, Edikaikong and others.
- Efo-riro: This is a Yoruba delicacy soup made with mixtures of vegetables, fishes, assorted meat and others. It is served with Yam pottage, a swallow of choice and can even be served with jollof rice based on request and for elderly people.
- Ofada rice: This is gradually becoming a staple in the Nigerian menu. It is a special rice and is served with a special ayamase sauce with lots of pepper and assorted meat. It is accompanied by plantains and egg.
Wedding Catering Tips:
- Hire an experienced caterer: Choose a caterer with experience in Nigerian cuisine and a good reputation for quality and service.
- Plan for dietary restrictions: Consider guests with dietary restrictions and offer healthy options which would include vegetables and foods that are less spicy.
- Communicate with the caterer: Make sure to communicate your expectations and any specific requests or dietary restrictions to the caterer in advance. Also discuss the number of servers etc, dress code and more with the caterer.
- Consider the size of the wedding: The number of guests will determine the amount of food needed, so make sure to provide an accurate headcount to the caterer. It is important to plan for more than your expected number of guests. A good addition would be 30-50 percent extra depending on the size of your guests. Watch this video to get the accurate maths.
- Have a tasting: Schedule a tasting with the caterer before the wedding to ensure that the food meets your expectations. The tasting can be a visit to an event where the caterer is providing a service.
- Presentation is key: Make sure that the food is presented beautifully and appetizingly to enhance the guests’ dining experience.
By following these menu ideas and catering tips, you can create a delicious and memorable Nigerian wedding feast for you and your guests to enjoy.
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