summer fete theme ideas please! main course?

Mmm...ploughmans would fit well - but would guests expect a hot meal?

My other first thought was bbq but this is too similar to hog roast.

I think fish and chips would work ok....relaxed, traditional food which I think fits well with a summer fete theme, even if it's not what you would normally eat at a summer fete.

Thanks for your help. Maybe melon as starter?

How about Roast Ham, New potatoes with Coleslaw, pickles & Bowls of salad etc

i had something similar to this at my first wedding, we also had salmon mousse, breads, cold turkey, it was lovely, especially as it was a hot day!

We are having a sort of vintage-y /garden party 'theme' (Sort of. Themes aren't really my thing) and are asking the venue about doing fish and chips or bangers and mash. The only thing I think though is that they would have to be absolutely top class. Sometimes when venues break away from the norm it all goes a bit wrong. I was at a wedding once with bacon rolls and chips for the vening buffet tha were just really greasy and horrible. I'm kind of hoping that when we meet with the venue to talk about food they will meet us half way and come up with suggestions for food that I am happy with and that they know they can produce to the highest of standards. I would far rather have a good roast dinner than bad chips.

Thanks everyone, lots to think about! We think we may go for the fish and chips but actually it won't save us any money as it is just as expensive to have cod as it is to have some of the other choices. I am a bit worried... the fish and chips will be different but will it just look like we are cutting back and actually we are not saving any money? hmmm any suggestions of the most similar fish to cod but not as expensive that the venue might be able to source? or please do keep the ideas coming for food to go with village fete theme! H2B wants hot meal, and can't be pork coz having hog roast later.

I think haddock might be a cheaper replacement for cod? it's quite a meaty fish too.

my h2b is campaigning for fish and chips as our main meal....!

Pollock could be an alternative. Its what most fish products like fish fingers are made from these days. Tastes nice too! I think fish and chips could be lovely and dont think ppl would think you were trying to cut back.

What time of year are you looking at? I know it's not a hot meal, but if you're going for a Summer Fete theme it would be fun to do a full-on picnic with checked tablecloths and everything. Friends of ours did a picnic for an outdoor reception, and had traditional hampers made up for 4 people with sandwiches etc etc and a couple of bottles of champagne! If you're having the meal inside, you could always have a buffet-style picnic laid out, or if you'd rather it was served at the tables could just bring each table a hamper for them to delve in. It worked really well and was excellent fun! Could even follow it with a cream tea!

That sounds good, I was just thinking about maybe some sort of afternoon tea type thing. I will think this one through! My venue are going to be getting really annoyed with me changing my mind all the time!

I love the idea of a summer fete. I think that you could serve a variety of petit fours, scones, sugar cookies, and cup cakes. Cucumber sandwiches are a must as well!