12 top wedding food trends
We picked the brains of four top wedding bloggers to compile a list of 12 of this season's latest food trends. From food trucks to buttoned-up comfort food and "Gatsby"-inspired grub, couples are shying away from the traditional sit-down dinner and getting creative with fun and lighthearted nuptial fare. Our list is sure to inspire, and satisfy, all of you foodie brides-to-be for your big day.
Do Brunch
"Brunch has become popular lately because daytime weddings are cheaper than doing dinnertime or afternoon. I'm also seeing people doing breakfast for dinner -- like omelettes or pancakes." - Jen Campbell, GreenWeddingShoes.com editor and creative director.
"A big one is brunch-themed weddings. They might have mimosas, bloody marys, an omelet station... daytime weddings like this are really trending, especially since they are usually less expensive." - Azure Nelson, OneWed.com editorial director.
Think Fresh
"People are turning to fresh, organic foods sourced locally. They might look for caterers that source out as locally and organic as possible." - Christina Friedrichsen, IntimateWeddings.com owner and editor.
"Today there is almost an expectation of local, seasonal ingredients at weddings. Caterers are thinking more toward the lines of organic and farm fresh foods." - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director.
Get Involved
"Another big trend is instead of passed food during the cocktail hour, making food more of an experience... like a bar with a chef shucking oysters, or a guacamole bar with a chef muddling ingredients together in front of you -- its fun to watch." - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director.
"I
Truck It
"One of the biggest things right now is people incorporating fun foods in every aspect of the wedding -- like food trucks for instance. Maybe it'll be a couple's favorite ice cream truck." - Christina Friedrichsen, IntimateWeddings.com owner and editor.
"Food trucks are definitely very popular in cities like Seattle, New York or Austin. They're great for outdoor weddings, because they can come directly to your location." - Jen Campbell, GreenWeddingShoes.com editor and creative director.
Ingredient Fix
"Themes are big -- an ode to salt, for example, where you have salt on all different kinds of flavors -- chocolate caramel salt, bacon salt -- there are a million different kinds of salts that you can feature." - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director.
"Some interesting theme-y tables I've seen are like a station featuring bacon, with bacon wrapped shrimp, bacon salt, bacon donuts, and even a bacon cocktail -- bacon is really trendy in the food world right now. Or truffles... like truffle burger, or sliders, and truffle mac and cheese." - Jen Campbell, GreenWeddingShoes.com editor and creative director.
Get Comfortable
"Couples are really loving buttoned-up comfort foods -- but it's still about presentation. You wouldn't serve french fries in McDonald's bags, but they might be served in monogram bags instead." - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director.
"Cocktail hour is becoming more representative of the couple -- it's being used more to showcase a couple's favorite foods." - Azure Nelson, OneWed.com editorial director.
Go Rustic
"Rustic weddings are very popular right now. The food is usually served family style, with buffet tables instead of round tables. We
Live Like Gatsby
"Something really theme-y and trendy right now is 'The Great Gatsby,' with a garden party feel. Some things that can come out of that are tea sandwiches, champagne cocktails or champagne towers, which are making a comeback." - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director.
"'The Great Gatsby' is huge right now. Even before the buzz of the movie, vintage and art deco styles were pretty popular. Or a speakeasy-type theme." - Azure Nelson, OneWed.com editorial director.
Feel at Home
"Flights are a big trend at the cocktail hour or even at the reception. It may be wine tasting, or beer flights -- maybe from breweries around where you're from. For example, if you went to college in the Midwest -- you might serve beer from a great local brewery there." - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director.
"If you grew up in the South or the North and now live somewhere else, it's nice to have something to represent that. Like a lobster roll or clam chowder if you're from New England. Or if you're from Savannah, Ga., maybe peach cobbler or something with peaches. Or a Wisconsin mac and cheese bar." - Jen Campbell, GreenWeddingShoes.com editor and creative director.
Drink Up
"Beverage stations are very popular -- whether it's a signature cocktail that the couple creates, or different stations that aren't necessarily alcoholic. A station might have coffee, tea, infused water or milk and cookies." - Christina Friedrichsen, IntimateWeddings.com owner and editor.
"I see a lot of flavored lemonades, especially before the ceremony in big jugs or in mason jars with pinstripe straws like something you would see on Pinterest." - Jen Campbell, GreenWeddingShoes.com editor and creative director.
Fake the Cake
"A few years ago, everyone was loving cupcakes at their weddings. Now, its pies, macaron cakes, crepe cakes -- more non-traditional desserts." - Azure Nelson, OneWed.com editorial director.
"Brides are leaning more toward cakes now -- they're making a comeback. Because of Pinterest creativity has really exploded, not just with cakes but with everything involved in a wedding. There's so much more imagery out there -- a bride can see a cake, bring it to a local bakery and say, 'I want this.' It
Have a Snack
"One of the biggest trends right now -- the late night snack after dinner, cake and desert. Couples love incorporating their favorite late night snacks to their wedding party." - Azure Nelson, OneWed.com editorial director.
"The late night snack is a fairly recent trend -- after everybody's been fed, the couple will send out trays of fun food - like pizza, tacos or a sundae bar. This is generally for the younger crowd looking for a snack after dancing and drinking." - Christina Friedrichsen, IntimateWeddings.com owner and editor.