After 30 years in the catering business, I feel like I have lived through every trend imaginable when it comes to wedding receptions. When I first started in the business big lavish buffets were primarily what Texas brides wanted while most of the country opted for sit down dinners with smaller guest lists. My own Texas wedding in 1992 included 800 guests with a wedding cake that was almost six feet tall and buffet stations featuring Spanish paella and tossed to order Caesar salad. Today, trends are shifting away from following traditions and beginning to change towards more low-key events that are less over-the-top and more intimate. Couples are now wanting every part of their big day to be meaningful and to reflect their personalities. Even reception traditions such as cake cutting, bouquet and garter tosses, wedding favors and champagne toasts are being reinvented or skipped entirely. However, weddings should always be about whatever makes you happy!
TRENDS WE ARE SEEING…
Emphasis on the Guests
Forget planning the wedding for the photos. More and more the trend is towards making things easy and fun for wedding guests. Couples have become less focused on themselves as the center of attention and want guests to have a special experience. That means involving guests in the entire wedding weekend and bringing them into the fold rather than letting them stand by as a spectator. Audio guest books are taking on popularity as well as personalized favors for each guest.
Retro Revival
Couples seem to be leaning into the nostalgic and ethereal feel with antique china plates and floral tablecloths. Old school photo booths and polaroid cameras are a fun new twist. Vintage cakes piped with lots of heavy icing and delicate ruffles of buttercream are also popping up and ice sculptures are circling back around with a modern abstract look for displaying a raw bar or carving the couple’s wedding logo. Champagne towers are another big retro trend—everything old is new again.
Interactive Culinary Stations
Chef assisted food stations have been popular for a while, but new ideas like a street corn station, Frito pies, fresh rolled sushi, southern biscuit bar and wood fired pizzas are some of the newer ideas we are getting requests for. Couples are also wanting dessert stations with a variety of mini pies, tarts, cookies, donuts, crepes, and ice cream sundaes.
Brunch Alternative
A wedding brunch is a great alternative and can be less expensive than serving a dinner. A beautiful display of fresh
fruits, pastries, applewood bacon, maple blueberry sausages, mini quiches and Belgian waffle stations are becoming popular choices.
Mocktails
Specialized zero-proof beverage offerings are becoming popular as generational preferences shift. You can order a fancy mocktail or a non-alcoholic espresso martini at most bars these days, so why should you be stuck with just soda water and lime at a wedding?
Late Night Bites
As the evening winds down, surprise your guests with a late-night treat! They might not remember every bite of the main meal, but they will remember how they felt when those fun late-night bites appear. Chic food trucks with mini gourmet burgers, Raman noodles or exotic tacos are all popular options that are trending as guests soak up the night’s festivities. Root beer floats, snow cones, milk and cookies or a donut bar can also be a fun option to make sure to end things on a high note.
As you embark on one of the most enchanting journeys of your life, remember that you can curate a celebration that shows off your unique style without compromising on the luxury and elegance that define the most important day of your married life. So, indulge in the trends that speak to your heart, create unforgettable memories, and prepare for a prosperous and fulfilling life together!