Consider the venue and the time of day when planning your menu. You should also pay attention to your budget. The time of day will determine whether you choose an elegant meal or finger foods, and the size and rules of the venue will determine how much room you have for serving stations and tables. Of course, your budget will determine the quality of the food and your serving options.
Make the menu personal. Use old family recipes, or foods that reflect your culture and history.
Create a menu for the guests. This can as simple as a piece of construction paper with the menu written with a glitter or calligraphy pen. You can also make the menu conform to your theme; for example, place the paper menu inside a clamshell for a beach wedding.