From Starters to Desserts: Crafting the Best Veg Menu for Wedding

Impress with a wedding menu full of mouthwatering veggie options, like creamy risotto with seasonal vegetables and spicy roasted cauliflower. Each dish offers a perfect blend of flavor and elegance.

Cuisine is likely the king of Indian Weddings and it becomes challenging to design an impressive veg menu for wedding. When it comes to organizing different dishes, flavors, and traditions. It creates the greatest image and is all about tastes variety, and cultures. From the starter to the final sweet dish, it matters when you are finalizing the best veg menu for wedding. You are just thinking about a traditional Indian veg menu for wedding.

Vegetarian menus can be plenty with thousands of choices. To choose from particularly for a lover of the savory flavors of Indian wedding vegetarian food of a catering menu. Whether it is a live chaat counter a main course or a dessert, proper menu planning can turn your wedding food into culinary nostalgia. 

Here are some more ideas on how to come up with a unique wedding menu that can suit your taste buds and wedding context.

Wedding Welcome Drinks: Refreshing the Guests

Finding a drink that can complement the meals that will be served at a wedding feast is very important for the best meal experience. Incorporating welcome drinks from different cultures is very important. It adds a nice spice to your wedding dinner and brings a cultural flavor to your veg menu for wedding. Here’s a roundup of traditional beverages from around the world to delight your guests:

1. Sol Kadhi

A tangy, coconut-based drink infused with kokum, this drink is known for its digestive properties and is often served as a palate cleanser.

2. Lassi

A creamy, yogurt-based drink that can be sweet or salty. Mango lassi is especially popular at weddings. It adds a rich, tropical flavor.

3. Chaas

A savory yogurt drink with cumin and other spices. It is both refreshing and great for digestion after heavy meals.

4. Jaljeera

Jaljeera is a spicy and juicy drink preferred by people with tamarind, black salt, cumin, and mint. Sometimes it is used as a welcome drink in summer weddings. It helps to cool the body and assists in digestion.

5. Thandai

Thandai is a popular drink of Udaipur and is famous all over Rajasthan. It is made from milk, almonds, saffron, cardamom, and rose petals. Its rich texture and nice scented flavor make it a perfect drink. 

6. Kanji

Kanji is a traditional processed fermented beverage prepared by fermenting Black carrots, Mustard seeds, and spices. It is sour and mildly hot. The use of Kanji in the menu gives another dignity to the wedding feast.

7. Tender Coconut Water

Fresh coconut water is a natural, refreshing drink that hydrates and provides a light, sweet taste.

8. Sugarcane Juice

Naturally sweet and refreshing, sugarcane juice is a popular drink served in Gujarati weddings. It’s often paired with a hint of lime or mint for an extra burst of flavor.

The Role of Starters: Setting the Tone

Appetizers are among the most important meals during any given reception, particularly when preparing for a wedding veg menu. To begin with, they are the first mouthful of your event’s culinary palette and give a preview of what guests should expect. Moreover, if done correctly, the choice of appetizers not only prepares the guests for the meal ahead but also starts the anticipation process.

Both traditional and contemporary dishes must be offered in order to keep everyone happy. So that your wedding menu will be a success. Remember, if only the right starters are going to get your guests. After that, all look forward to the rest of the well-elaborated vegetarian food list for a wedding.

Popular veg starter dishes

Indian weddings are known for their vibrant and flavorful menus, and starters play a key role in setting the tone. Here’s a list of popular starter dishes, categorized by North Indian and South Indian cuisines, to help craft the best veg menu for wedding:

Maharashtrian Veg Starters

1. Kothimbir Vadi

Spicy green coriander herb fritters prepared from grated besan (gram flour) seasonings and fried crisps.

2. Batata Wada

Mashed potatoes seasoned with black pepper and rolled with a mixture made from gram flour and deep fried and served with chutneys.

3. Sabudana Vada

A quick fritter with tapioca, peanuts, and mil spices ideal for fledging meals during fasting.

Punjabi Veg Starters

1. Paneer Tikka

Tender and smoky grilled paneer cubes made from spiced yogurt gravy make it a brilliant choice for any occasion.

2. Aloo Tikki

North Indian Weddings is much renowned for its Daalen puri; crispy potato patties served with tangy chutneys.

3. Veg Seekh Kabab

Delicious vegetable kabobs to be more specific, barbecued and filled with seasonings and every spice you can think of and form an appetizing appetizer

Rajasthani Veg Starters

1. Pyaz Kachori

These are triangular-shaped deep-fried Savory from Rajasthan. It is stuffed with a mixture of onion and spices.

2. Mirchi Vada

Big green chilies are filled with spicy mashed potato, and coated with gram flour. This dish contributes to heating your starter course.

3. Ker Sangri Canapés

A modern interpretation of the Rajasthani dish is called ker sangri. These canapés present the tangy and spicy flavors of the desert region in a contemporary style.

Karnataka Veg Starters

1. Maddur Vada

A very popular dish from the area of Maddur. it is essentially fritters prepared using rice flour, onion, coconut, and a host of spices, and is a staple for a South Indian-themed wedding.

2. Goli Baje (Mangalore Bajji)

Curd-based bonda prepared with all-purpose flour and spices. It is deep fried to give it a soft and fluffy texture these appetizers are bestowed by guests.

3. Rava Idli

The mini steamed idlis, made of semolina and then tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves, are a delightful treat. Additionally, they are served with coconut chutney to enhance the taste.

Goan Veg Starters

1. Vegetable Recheado Rolls

Goan recheado masala is filled into seasonal vegetables and after frying the vegetables, they are crumb coated.

2. Goan Mushroom Cutlets

It’s an assortment of mushrooms, herbs, and spices formed into cutlets and sauteed lightly to create a crispy delicious appetizer.

3. Paneer Cafreal

Paneer Tikka Cafreal – We presented Goan flavors to this panner dish marinated with the famous green cafreal masala and put it on the grill to add a smoky flavor.

Hyderabadi Veg Starters

1. Shikampuri Kebab

Soft and succulent kebabs prepared with lentils – hung curd and spices – are a classic example of Hyderabadi refined gastronomy.

2. Baghara Baingan Rolls

Small eggplants are sautéed with a thick peanut and sesame gravy, stuffed in rolls, and served as finger foods.

3. Paneer 65

The preparation of soft paneer resembles the flavors of Hyderabadi cuisine. Firstly, pieces of paneer are marinated with spicy masalas and then fried until crispy and tangy.

Tandoor Veg Starters

1. Tandoori Paneer Tikka

Soft, fluffy chunks of homemade cheese are marinated with yogurt and BBQ spices. Finally, they are grilled and served with a tray of fresh mint sauce.

2. Tandoori Stuffed Aloo

Small potatoes or gourds are scooped from the center and stuffed with paneer or mixed vegetables cooked with spices. Later, they are baked to perfection in the tandoor.

3. Tandoori Malai Broccoli

Broccoli florets soaked in a marinade made of creamy yogurt are special in terms of taste. Once grilled, the outer layers turn golden brown, adding to their deliciousness.

Jain Veg Starters

1. Jain Hara Bhara Kebab

Mashed spinach and peas packed in gram flour and spices, cooked into kebabs, and then fried.

2. Jain Spring Rolls

Crispy vegetable-stuffed rolls without onions and garlic are fried to make a delicious snack.

3. Jain Corn Tikki

Corn is coated with spices and breadcrumbs. It cooked well to provide a crispy look and yummy taste. It is a delicious combination of sweet corn with spices, biscuits, and breadcrumbs.

Awadhi Veg Starters

1. Subz Galouti Kebab

Vegetarian kebabs as soft as-idlis with the flavor and texture of vegetable puries infused with Awadhi spices and cooked with mashed lentils.

2. Awadhi Paneer Rolls

Soft-bodied paneer in strips garnished with spicy Awadhi marinate, filled with dry fruits, and then grilled to give a royal taste.

3. Dal Ki Tikki

These lentil patties are cooked with lots of spices and then shallow fried to give the royal feel of Awadhi cuisine.

Barbeque Veg Starters

1. Grilled Pineapple with Spices

Fresh pineapple slices seasoned, and barbequed before being coated in a blend of spices, are sweet and tangy.

2. BBQ Veg Skewers

Most popular are bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and paneer which are skewered, marinated then grilled.

3. Smoked Corn on the Cob

Corn is cooked on the grill and basted with butter mixed with lime and spices to create that barbeque feel.

South Indian Veg Starters

1. Mini Idli

Mini idlis are small cosy rice cakes that are squishable, great with chutney and/or sambar tossed in ghee and spices.

2. Medu Vada

Exactly spicy fried lentil donut dishes which are additionally crunchy on the outside and gentle within served with coconut chutney.

3. Banana Bajji

Banana slices that have a thick layer of lightly spiced gram flour paste covering them before frying constitute our next recipe.

Gujarati Veg Starters

1. Dhokla

It was a steamed soft cake made up of fermented rice and chickpea flour served with green chutney.

2. Khandvi

Delicate strips of besan that pop with flavors from rai, coconut, and coriander.

3. Fafda with Chutney

These are crisp gram flour strips garnished with a few spices and a tangy raw papaya chutney is also served in Gujarati Snack.

Bengali Veg Starters

1. Beguni

These are tiny pieces of eggplant coated in gram flour batter and then fried until it’s crispy.

2. Shukto Croquettes

This is a twist on the Bengali shukto recipe. People can taste bitterness and sweetness in these croquettes.

3. Mochar Chop

Flour-stuffed banana flower with spice, coated with bread crumbs, and fried in hot oil until crispy and golden brown.

Main Course: The Heart of the Feast

The main course is also a principal dish on the veg menu for weddings and is a complement and a potpourri of taste that makes a wedding uncommon. But then, starters and desserts are elegant, but the main meal is what fills people’s tummies and leaves a lasting impression. When it comes to the main dish, of course, there must be a thought for it to include the dear couple’s traditions; still, it is even more important to have happy faces and full stomachs by the end of the celebration. For a healthy wedding menu, incorporating wholesome options like millet-based dishes, quinoa salads, and steamed veggies ensures that health-conscious guests enjoy the celebration as much as everyone else.

Many different cuisines of India are evident in the wedding preparations, and so, an Indian veg menu for wedding celebrations cannot be complete without them. Introducing dishes from the North, South, East, and West sides of India is not only the depth of the menu mix but also the feeling of unity and cohesion. That’s why, loving your main course, shining, rich, and filling in tastes, you guarantee that your wedding dinner will be a memory to cherish for your guests.

Maharashtrian

1. Puran Poli

A sweet prepared flatbread with jaggery and lens, with a side of ghee, gives a sweet and comforting as well as festive feel.

2. Bharli Vangi

A spicy peanut and coconut curry from Maharashtra stuffed in eggplants.

Punjabi

1. Paneer Butter Masala

The most liked menu in the vegetarian section is again a rich and creamy curry made with paneer cubes cooked with tomato gravy.

2. Dal Makhani

A stew prepared lentils with butter and cream-based, has a dense creamy consistency and buttery taste.

3. Aloo Gobhi

A curry recipe that uses potatoes and cauliflower and spices then accompanied by hot rotis.

Rajasthani

1. Dal Baati Churma

This dish has been one of the most important characteristics of Rajasthani weddings. Delicious crispy baatis made with wheat rolls are accompanied by tasteful dal. Sweet churma which is crushed baati mixed with sugar or jaggery.

2. Rajasthani Kadhi

Rajasthani kadhi has a tangier taste due to the addition of more yogurt. It is a mild gravy dish best to be served with steamed rice or bajra roti.

3. Papad ki Sabzi

A lovely, different, easy-to-prepare Rajasthani dish made with crispy papads. They are softened and cooked in spicy yogurt gravy. This quirky dish is a great addition to the main course for a touch of variety.

South Indian

1. Avial

Mixed vegetables cooked in coconut and yogurt with a curving taste of curry leaves and green chilly.

2. Sambar

This is a diet dish made with lentils and vegetables and sharpened with tamarind and a special combination of spices.

Gujarati

1. Undhiyu

A vegetable preparation that comprises cooking vegetables with green garlic, coconut, and Selected spices, generally accompanies puris.

2. Sev Tameta Nu Shaak

A spicy tomato preparation which they garnish with crispy sev or gram flour noodles.

3. Khichdi

A simple preparation of rice, lentils, and lightly spiced accompanying kadhi or yogurt.

Bengali

1. Cholar Dal

A tasteful sweet and spiced Bengal gram preparation that is usually accompanied by coconut bits and offered with luchis.

2. Begun Basanti

My recipe is boiled eggplants cooked in mustard yogurt: an Accurate imitation of Bengali cuisine.

Rice and Bread: A Perfect Complement

Rice is a versatile dish that adds balance to any wedding menu. From flavorful pulao to creamy biryani, rice options can cater to every palate. Pair it with rich gravies or serve it plain with dal for a lighter touch. Guests love rice for its comforting and filling nature. It’s easy to customize with spices, veggies, or even dry fruits, making it perfect for weddings. A well-cooked rice dish not only tastes amazing but also enhances the overall dining experience. Don’t forget to include rice in your veg menu for a wholesome touch!

Maharashtrian

1. Masale Bhaat

A special flavoured rice dish containing vegetables and a special roasted goda masala ingredient giving it a warm festive taste.

2. Vaalacha Bhaat

The traditional Maharashtrian dish is cooked with sprouted field beans, coconut, and spices to make rice.

Punjabi

1. Jeera Rice

Plain rice, even though usually described as a simple dish also contains cumin seeds and is usually taken with dal or some curries.

2. Veg Biryani

A delicious rice casserole dish flavored with vegetables spices saffron and garnished with fried onions Everybody loves it!

3. Kashmiri Pulao

A delicious smelling rice dish cooked in sugar and spiced up with nuts, raisins, and saffron.

Rajasthani

1. Gatte Ka Pulao

This traditional Rajasthani food is served with rice mixed with gram flour dumplings known as gatte and spices. It is somewhat sour and spicy in taste and goes perfectly well with curd-based curries or raita.

2. Bajra Khichdi

The favorite grain of Rajasthan, bajra or pearl millet, is combined to make a healthy and delicious khichdi. Spiced rice with ghee, this health quintessential substitute for rice carries a raw appeal to add more to the wedding menu and is ideally drowned into butter and curd.

3. Ker Sangri Biryani

A blend of Rajasthani cuisine and biryani-style preparation method. The dish consists of ker sangri, a local dried berry and bean preparation method. It’s an exotic dish that makes the wedding feast even richer and more Indian. 

South Indian

1. Curd Rice

A cold rice-based preparation with added yogurt & mildly flavored with tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilly.

2. Lemon Rice

A provocative and colorful rice dish is enriched with lemon juice, curry leaves, and peanuts.

3. Tomato Rice

Just like the name, a very tasty dish that involves cooking rice with tomatoes, spices, and curry leaves.

Bengali

1. Mishti Pulao

Sweet rice preparation that involves ghee, cashew nuts, and raisins which is taken during festivities.

2. Bhuna Khichuri

A flavorful khichdi using rice, lentils, vegetables, and a combination of spices that are mainly used in Bengali recipes.

Bread options

Furthermore, bread is a staple on every wedding menu, it accompanies the main course and brings a kind of comfort to the meal. Soft and fluffy breads to crispy and flavorful breads from different cuisines can complement your veg menu for wedding festival. Here are some popular bread options to consider:

Maharashtrian

1. Chapati

Unleavened and tender whole wheat disc-shaped bread which is a staple accompaniment for all meals and can be enjoyed with curries, dals, or chutneys.

2. Bhakri

A kind of roti prepared from jowar, bajra, or rice flour and eaten with chutney or vegetable preparations.

Punjabi

1. Naan

A light and porous baked bread that needs no additives and when unleavened, is cooked in a tandoor oven and can be had plain, buttered, or doughs of which the main ingredient is the flatbread itself.

2. Tandoori Roti

It is a type of cooked bread from whole wheat flour mostly coated with wheat bran, and a clay oven-baked which appeals to the rich curries.

3. Paratha

A thin, uneven unleavened bread, baked plain or with potato, spinach, or paneer fillings.

Rajasthani

1. Baati

Baati is the traditional whole wheat flour and ghee-based Rajasthani bread. These are compact ball-shaped biscuit breads that are hard on the surface and soft on the inside. Served with lentils, clarified butter, and side dishes.

2. Missi Roti

Missi roti is a flavorful bread made with a combination of gram flour (besan) and wheat flour, spiced with ajwain (carom seeds) and other seasonings. It is a hearty and aromatic bread that pairs well with sabzis like gatte ki sabzi or ker sangri.

3. Bajra Roti 

Bajra roti prepared from pearl millet is commonly taken as Local bread/flatbread. Its earthy taste goes well with the lehsun chutney, and kadhi and hence should fit well with the wedding food menu.

South Indian

1. Appam

A fine-grain texture steamed rice cake with crispy layering, normally served with vegetable slices and coconut gravy dishes.

2. Neer Dosa

A very thin and ostensibly complicated rice pancake that is typically garnished and eaten with chutneys or small quantities of mild vegetables.

3. Malabar Paratha

This bread is formed and friable and made with refined flour ideal for richer gravies.

Gujarati

1. Thepla

A mildly flavored unleavened bread prepared from whole wheat flour, mixed with Fenugreek leaves and curd.

Bengali

1. Luchi

A puffed bread prepared by deep frying refined flour is used mostly as an accompaniment to dishes such as aloo dum or cholar dal.

Desserts: Sweet Endings

No party is absolutely perfect without a nice selection of sweet treats and weddings should not be an exception to this rule. Traditional sweets from various cultures make your veg menu for wedding more colorful, enjoyable, and fun. Here are some iconic desserts from around the world to consider for your wedding feast:

Maharashtrian

1. Jalebi

Crispy, deep-fried spirals soaked in sweet syrup, jalebi is a popular and festive dessert enjoyed at weddings and celebrations.

2. Basundi

A sweet dish prepared out of condensed milk, flavored with cardamoms, and served garnished with nuts ideal for a wedding celebration feast.

Punjabi

1. Gulab Jamun

Boiled rice dough coated with flour then filled with sweetened meat and boiled in water making it sweet for weddings and celebrations because it is served warm when held in syrup.

2. Rasgulla

These soft and loose, gooey white balls of chhena (Indian cottage cheese) are popular sweetmeats in North India.

3. Gajar ka Halwa

A tasty sweet dish prepared from grated carrots, milk, and sugar and served with toppings of nuts and green cardamom.

Rajasthani

1. Malpua with Rabri

Malpua is a lightly fried pancake made of flour, milk, and sugar, accompanied with layering of rabri. The juicy crispy malpua and rabri is a thick-flavored sweet dish. It’s an all-time favorite dessert in any Rajasthani wedding.

2. Ghevar

Ghevar is one type of sweet dish made of flour and sugar syrup. Frequently served with saffron-flavoured rabri, dry fruits, and silver leaf. it is a rich cake that brings on the flavor of festivities in the wedding sweets section.

3. Moong Dal Halwa

This is a delicious and fragrant sweet dish prepared from dried and green gram in ghee and sugar. Its taste and softness make it ideal for winter consumption. So moong dal halwa is one of the famous sweet dishes in weddings.

South Indian

1. Payasam

A thick, sugar-sweet, and coconut-based or dairy-based rice pudding with cardamom added and topped with cashews and sultana.

2. Kesari

This is a rice-based dessert that requires semolina, ghee, sugar, and saffron and serves a yummy dessert that has a great aroma.

Gujarati

1. Shrikhand

This is a cultural product typically consisting of flavored yogurt sweetened and flavored with cardamom and saffron and garnished with nuts and fruits.

2. Mohanching

Another traditional sweet dish of Gujarat is made using flour, sugar, and ghee. Typically, it is prepared on special occasions like weddings and festivals.

Bengali

1. Sandesh

A delicate, milk-based sweet made from chhena, flavored with cardamom or saffron, and often molded into beautiful shapes.

Conclusion 

In this article, we share a selection of vegetarian dishes that would look great on the wedding table and meet the tastes of most guests. From the appetizers that foreshadow what the rest of the dining experience holds to the entrees that make up the heart of the meal and the deserts that provide the sweet ending each component must come together to create the ultimate experience.

An expertly selected vegetarian menu for a wedding will showcase how diverse and delicious Indian vegetarian dishes are of a wedding. It gives people an exciting gastronomic experience especially when locals and guests include traditional and international dishes in the catering package. Moreover, adding these flavors to vegetarian Indian food during a wedding celebration makes the menu even more memorable. also read these wedding menu catering ideas for more information.

The best veg menu for a wedding is one which is not just the great flavors of dishes, but also the lost moments of the love story.