80 Fall Wedding Food Ideas on a Budget
Fall is a magical time of year. The leaves are changing, the air is cooling, the jackets are coming out, and weddings are in full-bloom. Choosing a fall wedding means warm colors, perfect weather, rich flavors, and the coziest of vibes.
It also means you get to choose from some of the most flavorful and varied foods for your wedding. And there’s no better way to complete your fall wedding planning than rounding out the menu with some fall-themed foods.
Whether you are self-catering or hiring a company, food and drinks can become expensive quickly, so budgeting your menu is always a great idea. If you’re in search of fall wedding food ideas on a budget, look no further. We’ve got all the best fall wedding food ideas broken out into easy-to-use categories.
Why Opt for Seasonal Foods?
Wedding events are all about love; but they are also about themes. Every couple chooses some form of a theme, color, or atmosphere for their wedding. There’s no better way to highlight or tie together your wedding theme choices than by adding in some seasonal foods.
When foods and ingredients are in season, they are often much cheaper than trying to purchase them out of season. This helps cut down on costs dramatically while never sacrificing the quality of your wedding food.
Foods and ingredients like pumpkin, cranberry, turkey, apples, ciders, cinnamon, squash, figs, maple syrup, and mushrooms can be found in abundance during the fall season (and for an affordable price.)
Another highlight of utilizing seasonal foods is the freshness of your ingredients. It’s no secret when foods or ingredients are out of season, they lose some of the quality they once had. It’s no one’s fault; that’s just the way perishable foods operate.
But using these seasonal foods while they’re fresh offers a flavorful and crisp element no out-of-season food could offer.
So when it comes to fall wedding foods on a budget, we’re going to utilize all the ingredients to ideate some delicious meals for you and your wedding guests.
Affordable Appetizers for Your Fall Wedding
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Apple Slices - A unique twist on a traditional chicken salad that utilizes seasonal cranberry and apple ingredients.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup - A nostalgic and comforting choice that fits the perfect atmosphere for a fall wedding.
Bacon-wrapped Dates - A delightful combination of sweet and savory that highlights our fall ingredient: the dates!
Butternut Squash Apple Bruschetta - A fall-inspired twist on a classic dish.
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs - Think of those delicious slow-cooker meatballs you’re so used to eating, but with a fall twist of cranberry for a touch of sweetness.
Butternut Squash Deviled Eggs - Deviled eggs are the iconic appetizer of all. But what if they also had butternut squash for that extra hint of texture?
Potato Leek Soup Shooters - A comforting appetizer served in an easy-to-eat format.
Cinnamon Roasted Almonds - Half sweet, half salty. The perfect appetizer for cocktail hour or while your guests are waiting for the food to be served.
Mini Pumpkin Soup Shooters - Think of the creamy pumpkin soup you’re used to being served in small glasses or shot glasses. Unique and delicious.
Apple and Prosciutto Bites - Craft this yummy appetizer with thin slices of prosciutto wrapped around apple wedges with balsamic glaze.
Baked Brie with Fig Jam - Gooey brie with a sweet Fig jam. Your guests will fall in love.
Pumpkin Hummus - A seasonal twist on a classic loved dip.
Fall Wedding Main Course Food Ideas
Pork Chops with Fig - An affordable meat paired with a fall-inspired fruit. A sweet and sour delight indeed.
Cider-braised Chicken with Apples - If you’re looking for fall wedding food, this is it. Cider and apples paired with chicken. It’s as simple as that.
Butternut Squash Ravioli - If you’re searching for a vegetarian option to add to the menu, a butternut squash ravioli is the perfect way to incorporate a pasta dish into your fall wedding.
Pork Tenderloin with Brussels Sprouts and Squash - A delicious cut of meat paired with seasonal roasted veggies.
Cornish Game Hen with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing - A flavorful fall-inspired dish reminiscent of Thanksgiving and family. Plus, Cornish Game Hen is easy to cook and pretty affordable to feed the masses.
Roasted Red Pepper and Butternut Squash Soup - If you’re in search of a lighter fare, consider this soup. A creamy soup with a hint of smokiness screams bonfires and comfort food.
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad - Salads are so versatile. Use them as a main course, a side, or an appetizer. Pairing a salad with cranberries and walnuts adds the perfect fall touch.
Apple and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms - Sausage pairs perfectly with almost anything. Touch on the sweet notes with this savory, bite-sized treat.
Affordable Fall Wedding Side Dishes
Roasted Butternut Squash - A classic vegetarian side dish. If you’re feeling extra festive, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a true fall wedding side dish.
Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts - Pair some normal Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and bacon bits to create a yummy vegetable option.
Apple and Fennel Slaw - Thinly sliced apples and fennel with an apple vinaigrette should be your fall go-to.
Pumpkin Risotto - Regular risotto is delicious. But risotto infused with pumpkin puree and Parmesan cheese is to die for.
Sage and Onion Stuffing - Think of a regular stuffing, but elevated in flavor.
Balsamic Glazed Beets - Roasted beets with a balsamic reduction screams cozy.
Roasted Parsnip Fries - Parsnips are often forgotten in fall-themed foods. Cook them like regular fries, serve them with a dipping sauce, and your guests will remember (your wedding) and parsnips forever.
Cornbread with Honey Butter - Nothing says comfort more than cornbread. Pair it with a delicious honey butter or Fig jam for next-level delicious.
Spiced Carrot Soup - Adding some extra fall spices to a classic carrot soup, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, will bring another level of flavor.
Wild Rice with Cranberries and Almonds - Bring rice a layer of sweetness with cranberries and a crunchy layer with seasonal almonds.
Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Acorn squash with brown sugar will have you fall(ing) in love.
Cauliflower Gratin - For a healthier and seasonal alternative to potato gratin, try some cauliflower gratin.
Green Beans with Toasted Almonds - Almonds add the perfect seasonal and crunchy element to traditional green beans.
Roasted Red Cabbage with Apples - Red cabbage is good, but red cabbage with apples is even better.
Bacon-Wrapped Roasted Pears - Bacon is naturally salty and fatty. Create a delicious sweet and savory combination that's sure to be a hit by pairing it with pears. Pears will tame the saltiness and provide a much-needed fresh element.
Mouthwatering Fall Wedding Desserts
Spiced Churros with Hot Chocolate - A warm treat perfect for cool fall evenings.
Pumpkin Spike Cake - No need to add anything extra to this. It’s perfect just the way it is.
Pear and White Chocolate Crumble - The sweet white chocolate with crunchy, fresh pairs creates a beautiful fall food creation.
Praline Pumpkin Pie - Praline is an often forgotten fall ingredient. Use this to your advantage by adding a twist on the classic pumpkin pie.
Apple Butter Donuts with Maple Glaze - A fall-inspired treat every guest will love.
Pecan Pie Bars - A pecan pie, but easier to serve. No forks needed it’s just as tasty.
Apple Cider Donuts - A fall favorite nearly everyone has eaten and enjoyed.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites - Bite-sized delicacies with a rich pumpkin flavor.
Cranberry Orange Scones - A tangy and sweet fall dessert option that pairs perfectly with coffee or hot chocolate.
Maple Walnut Cookies - Utilizing two classic fall nuts, these cookies will bring ultimate joy.
Affordable Fall-Themed Buffet-Style Foods
Herb-Crusted Roast Beef - Slow-cooked roast beef with an herb crust. It’s easy to serve and feels fancy when it’s actually relatively affordable.
Apple Cider Brined Turkey - Turkey and apple cider; two ingredients that scream family time. And there’s no better family time than a wedding.
Butternut Squash Soup Station - Butternut squash is so affordable and delicious. Set up a soup station with toppings like croutons, roasted pumpkin seeds, and coconut milk to allow guests to serve themselves. Sit back and enjoy.
Harvest Salad Bar - Salad bars are a classic, easy event food. Add topping options like candied pecans, dried cranberries, and apple slices to finish off the fall theme.
Braised Pork Shoulder - Pork cooked with apple cider and fall spices will create the perfect blend of fall and delicious.
Roasted Vegetable Medley - Vegetables are healthy, affordable, and pretty easy to come by. Utilize fall vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, and red onions to create the perfect vegetable medley.
Cornbread Muffins - Cornbread is practically pennies on the dollar to purchase. Spice up your cornbread with apple butter for an oh-so-yummy fall side dish.
Cranberry and Brie Tartlets - Bite-sized puff pastry tartlets filled with cranberry sauce and a slice of Brie cheese. Exceptional.
Sweet Potato Casserole - There is no other buffet classic like sweet potato casserole. Top it with a pecan and brown sugar crumble to perfect this fall-inspired dish.
Apple Ham - Use the sweet notes apples provide to enhance a honey-glazed or regular ham.
Fall Wedding Non-Alcoholic Drink Ideas
Spiced Apple Cider - Warm apple cider infused with cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Pumpkin Spice Latte - The most classic fall drink there is. A blend of milk, pumpkin puree, and fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice. Perfect.
Cranberry Ginger Fizz - Craft a unique fall soda with cranberry juice, ginger ale, and a splash of lime juice
Maple Pear Cooler - Infuse pear juice with a touch of maple syrup and sparkling water to get a blend of crisp and sweet flavors.
Honey Cinnamon Milk - For a warm and fuzzy drink, use warm milk, honey, and cinnamon.
Pomegranate Rosemary Spritzer - For a truly unique fall drink, mix pomegranate juice with sparkling water and add a sprig of rosemary.
Hot Chocolate with Caramel Drizzle - Dress up plain hot chocolate with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Yum!
Chai Tea Latte - Blend Chai tea with steamed milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon to create a the perfect fireside drink.
Apple Ginger Punch - For a fun play on fall flavors, combine apple juice, ginger ale, and a touch of lemon juice.
Vanilla Almond Steamer - For a lighter taste, use steamed milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and almond syrup.
Alcoholic Drink Ideas for Fall Weddings on a Budget
Autumn Old Fashioned - Pair Bourbon, bitters, and a splash of maple syrup, and a dash of bitters.
Spiced Pear Martini - Infuse Vodka, pear nectar, and a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Cranberry Mimosa - Combine Champagne, cranberry juice, and a splash of orange liqueur.
Pumpkin Spice White Russian - Pair Vodka, coffee liqueur, cream, and a a spoonful of pumpkin puree.
Apple Cider Sangria - Combine White wine, apple cider, brandy, and diced fall fruits, such as apples or pears.
Maple Bourbon Smash - Infuse Bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, mint leaves, and club soda.
Caramel Apple Martini - Vodka, apple cider, and caramel syrup. Rim the glass with caramel and a touch of salt.
Fig and Rosemary Cocktail - Use Gin, figs, rosemary, a touch of honey, and tonic water.
Honeycrisp Apple Sangria - Pair red wine, brandy, chopped apples, and cinnamon sticks.
Pomegranate Whiskey Sour - Combine Whiskey, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Chai Spiced Rum Punch - Infuse dark rum, brewed chai tea, orange juice, and a splash of ginger beer.
Mulled Wine - Use red wine, mulling spices, orange slices, and a touch of brandy.
Blackberry Bourbon Smash - Pair Bourbon, blackberries, mint leaves, simple syrup, and club soda.
Hazelnut Espresso Martini - Pair Vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and hazelnut syrup.
Spiced Plum Cocktail - Rum, plum puree, lime juice, and a dash of allspice.
Alcohol can add up fast. Use a wedding alcohol calculator to see how much you can afford and what alcohol your budget will get you.