Planning your summer wedding reception? It’s probably hot, you’re probably juggling too many details—and everyone’s hungry. If you're looking for a way to make your reception more relaxed, more fun, and honestly, more memorable, here’s a simple idea: serve BBQ.
Yes, BBQ.
It’s not just for backyard cookouts. BBQ done right can be elevated, elegant, and crowd-pleasing all at once. It can look beautiful on a buffet table and taste incredible plated up with style. And at The Butler Pantry Catering Co., we’ve seen it transform wedding receptions across LA, Orange County, Santa Monica, and Malibu into events people talk about for years.
Here’s why BBQ needs a spot at your wedding table.
There’s something about BBQ that puts everyone at ease. It’s a little messy, a little nostalgic, and a lot delicious. Whether you're inviting 50 guests or 300, BBQ helps break the formality that can weigh down a wedding.
At a summer wedding reception, your guests don’t want to sit stiffly waiting for tiny plates of food. They want bold flavors, full plates, and options they recognize—and love. BBQ hits that note. From smoked brisket and pulled pork to grilled veggies and cornbread, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s be honest: summer in Southern California is hot. No one wants heavy, rich food in 90-degree heat. BBQ fits naturally into outdoor venues, tented receptions, beach weddings, and studio rooftops.
Our wedding catering team often builds custom menus with grilled chicken, smoked jackfruit for plant-based guests, watermelon salad, and grilled corn. Light, colorful, and full of flavor—that’s how summer BBQ wedding reception menus should feel.
A common worry: “But will BBQ look elegant enough for my wedding?”
Absolutely. At The Butler Pantry Catering Co., we care about presentation as much as taste. Our team serves studio executives and wedding couples alike with a level of polish that shows. Picture smoked tri-tip sliced to order, stacked on wooden boards beside fresh herbs and edible flowers. Add elegant sides like grilled asparagus or heirloom tomato salad with microgreens. It’s BBQ, but refined.
Chef Notasha Butler, our founder, trained at Le Cordon Bleu and worked on the Wolfgang Puck Oscar team—so we know how to balance rustic and refined.
Worried about feeding a large crowd? BBQ is one of the most scalable catering styles out there. Whether you're having a private dinner in the Valley or a large SAG studio event in Santa Monica, we can build a menu that works for your guest count and your space.
Buffet-style BBQ is a great fit for wedding receptions because it keeps things moving. Your guests aren’t waiting long for food. And it’s flexible—buffets, plated service, family-style—we do it all.
The best part? You can make your BBQ wedding reception totally your own. Some couples want Texas-style ribs. Others want California-style tri-tip. Some want vegan BBQ jackfruit and fire-roasted seasonal vegetables.
We’ve done everything from mini pulled pork sliders as cocktail-hour appetizers to full BBQ pit spreads for Malibu wedding receptions with ocean views. Want to serve iced sweet tea or smoked peach cocktails? Let’s build it. Want late-night BBQ tacos with handmade tortillas? Done.
When you book wedding catering with The Butler Pantry, we collaborate with you. We don’t hand you a menu and walk away. We create a menu that matches your taste, your crowd, and your budget.
BBQ is one of the few catering options that holds up well the next day. That means less waste, and maybe a few happy guests sneaking out with brisket sandwiches at midnight. We can even package up leftovers for your family brunch the next morning.
Yes, we love weddings. But our team also specializes in corporate catering, holiday parties, studio catering for SAG sets, and private events all across LA, the Valley, Orange County, and Malibu. We’ve catered everything from small production crews to upscale brand launches.
So if you're planning a summer event—not just a wedding—we can help. And if you're a studio or production manager looking for set catering that travels well and keeps crews happy, our BBQ menus are a strong choice.
At The Butler Pantry Catering Co., we believe that food sets the tone for your whole event. When people eat well, they relax. They connect. They remember your day for more than just the dress or the playlist—they remember how they felt.
BBQ gives you room to create that feeling. It’s warm. It's welcoming. And when done right, it’s just as wedding-appropriate as any five-course plated meal.
So if you’re planning your wedding reception and want something that feels like you, consider BBQ. It’s not casual—it’s considered. And we’d love to help you serve it beautifully.
Take a look at our wedding catering menus, or get in touch to start customizing your own. We cater across Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley.
Need corporate or studio catering too? Let’s talk. We scale easily, travel well, and deliver with style.
Let’s make your summer wedding delicious!
