Breakfast

Especially suitable for early morning or mid-morning ceremonies, breakfast receptions are usually more casual. Types of food include breakfast favorites -- try waffles or pancakes as the main dish, with sides including omelettes, sausage, bacon and fresh fruit. If you'd prefer a lighter breakfast menu instead of sit-down meals, try muffins, English muffins, biscuits or toast. Fruit scones with butter and jelly are refreshing and stylish. Be sure to include coffee, milk and orange juice.

Cocktail

Cocktail receptions remove the necessity for a sit-down meal -- you'll only serve drinks and hors d'oeuvres, circulating on trays or available in buffet spreads. Offer basics, such as cheese, deli meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, and crackers or bread. In addition try fried mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms, small quiches, phyllo wraps with a variety of meat or vegetarian fillings and shrimp cocktails. Aim for anything guests can eat easily while still socializing and mingling.

Luncheon

For midday wedding receptions, most guests will be satisfied with a more casual sit-down menu. Try classics such as sandwiches, salads (including green salads and fruit salads), pasta dishes and soups. Sandwiches offer plenty of versatility -- try old-fashioned hamburgers for an informal, cozy wedding, or opt for upscale, gourmet sandwiches, for a more elegant twist. Try including your wedding theme in a luncheon menu -- for a garden party wedding, serve Victorian tea sandwiches.

Dinner

Typically, formal sit-down reception dinners include several courses -- begin by serving hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, followed by the main course. Salads are versatile appetizers, either seafood or green salads. Usually the main course involves a meat or seafood dish. Salmon, chicken, lamb or beef are all potential options, with sides of seasonal vegetables. Try serving traditional cultural dishes, reflecting your heritage. It's typical to offer guests several options, including vegetarian options, to accommodate dietary restrictions.