In an age when weddings needn’t be formal, buttoned up affairs, there are myriad ways to spruce up your reception with unique culinary experiences that reflect your own personal style and dietary preferences.
Here are some of our favorite wedding food trends as well as suggestions on how to make them part of your special day. We’ve even included a short list of suggested vendors to make your job even easier.
When folks think “wedding menu” they often envision traditional dinner offerings. But, an increasing number of couples are hosting mid-morning ceremonies… and what’s better than following that up with an indulgent brunch? Consider omelette stations and waffle bars with make-your-own bloody or mimosa stations. Love coffee? Why not offer a signature coffee cart? The sky is the limit. Another idea to consider: the ever popular breakfast for dinner.
Who says you have to host a formal suit-and-tie reception? If your favorite food is barbeque, then haul out the checkered table cloths and napkins! If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, make it a party with a pig (or lamb or goat) roast. Or make your indoor wedding into a comfort food extravaganza with options like fried chicken, southern fare like jambalaya, a customizable macaroni and cheese bar or even a full-blown (and oh-so-Milwaukee) fish fry. Torn about which delicious comfort foods to choose? Consider featuring numerous stations showcasing some of your favorite things.
There’s nothing more personal than tapping into your cultural roots. Look for inspiration from your family tree. Whether it’s Indian, Mediterranean, Turkish, Asian, Italian or Polish, you can make your wedding one-of-a-kind with fare that will inspire taste memories both old and new.
Ethnic fare is also a great option for couples who love to travel, or who simply share a love for a particular ethnic cuisine. Love sushi? Incorporate it into your wedding menu. Want fish tacos and margaritas? Done. Dream of an Indian buffet feast? Go for it. And don’t be afraid to go all out with your theme. Want a full-fledged Hawaiian luau? Serve up a feast of kalua pork, tuna poke, sesame chicken, sticky rice and pineapple slaw. Your guests will have fun and everyone will be talking about your wedding fare for months to come.
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, food trucks are a natural fit. There are choices galore and truck-based cuisine is a fun way to offer guests a truly unique selection of food. You can hire multiple trucks to serve on your special day, or work with your favorite to create a menu with that fits both your style and the needs of your guests. And, while you can hire food trucks to cover your main wedding meal, featuring a food truck for just part of the reception is also a great idea. There are any number of creative ways to work your favorite truck into the mix, whether it’s made-to-order midnight tacos for hungry dance-weary guests or piping hot fresh doughnuts to start off a brunch-themed reception.
Sure, you’re getting married; but each of you has his or her own unique tastes. Consider capitalizing on your yin and yang with customized his and hers cocktails. Or tailor your wedding beverages to the season by using herbal syrups, local spirits or seasonal fruit. Create interaction for guests by working with a bartender to design a custom cocktail station during dinner. Or step outside the norm by offering guests wine, beer or spirits flights during cocktail hour.