If you’re wondering if you really need wedding menus, this article will help! In this blog post, we’ll tell you whether menus are a must-have for your wedding reception.

Also, find out how to save money on menus with one surprisingly easy trick. Let’s get started!

Do You Need Wedding Menus?

When I planned my wedding, I knew I didn’t want to buy something that wasn’t totally necessary.

If you skip the things you don’t really need, you will have money in your budget left over for more pressing essentials, like invitations and favors.

Or, you know, totally comfy shoes to wear. :)

Although wedding menus are not as essential as table numbers or escort cards, which are paramount in making sure guests are seated and at the proper tables, menus can be quite cohesive. Menus give a pulled-together look that many couples really like.

menu cards by shiny penny studio

Why You Need Wedding Menus

Do you really need wedding menus? Well, maybe. If you’re having a sit-down dinner where guests can choose from two or three entrees, you will want menus set at place settings so guests know their options.

If you are having a buffet dinner, wedding menus can provide a preview for guests waiting to be called.

In addition, if guests have allergies or special food requests, menus can alleviate any questions they have about what is in the food options, making it easier to choose.

Last but not least, some couples need wedding menus to add a festive touch to their place settings.

by leah bisch

Why You Don’t Need Menus

On the other hand, you may not need wedding menus at all. You may find a wedding menu to be an unnecessary expense, particularly if your guests are sending in meal choices on rsvp cards ahead of the big day.

The question of do you need wedding menus really comes down to this: do you want wedding menus? Do you like the way they look, and how cohesive they are paired with table numbers and place settings? If yes, then go for it.

Personally, I love the look of menus and I find them very useful. It’s up to you, but I think menus are a great accent to include on your wedding tables, if your budget allows.

How to Save Money on Wedding Menus

If you feel like you need wedding menus but you don’t have a ton of money in the budget for them, there is one very affordable option: just buy one menu per table.

If your budget allows, buy menus for every guest and place on each table setting.

However, if you need menus but your budget is tight, buy one menu per table and have it standing upright with a table number holder or place card holder like this.

Instead of buying 100+ menus, that might take your menus own to 12 or less. And that’s quite a bit of money saved.

Another option is to use a sign or chalkboard to display your menu for guests. This can be placed on an easel at your buffet or near the bar.

You can make your own chalkboard menu like this:

Buy the chalkboard and paint pens to create a menu sign of your own here.

Need Wedding Menus? Here’s Where to Buy Them

In addition, you can buy wedding menu cards online. One great place to buy them is Minted, where we found the designs below. You can see the full collection here.

menus by mere paper

by hooray creative

by carol fazio

via xoxokristen

Another place to buy menu cards is Basic Invite. This is a really great place to get them made because you can completely customize the look and feel of your menus. The cards are available in affordable prices and ship in five business days. You can see the collection here.

via here

via here

You can browse more designs here.

If you love the acrylic (clear) wedding trend, you can buy acrylic menus at PaperandPineCo.

via here

You can buy templates to make your own menus. A template like the one from bonhomieDESIGN, shown below, is very easy to use.