“Happiness and an empty stomach rarely go together,” says a Japanese proverb. Food and drinks at a wedding play a key role – if the guests are left hungry, the rest of the experience fades and only that will be remembered.
How to ensure there’s enough food for everyone while avoiding waste?
For that, you need a professional and experienced caterer, as well as thorough preparation. One of the most challenging tasks for the couple is putting together the guest list. Once the list is set, it’s important to consider the guests’ food preferences and the ratio of men, women, and children. The food and drink at a wedding should match both the guests’ tastes and the overall style of the celebration – would a buffet-style catering be more suitable, or an elegant à la carte dinner? The food should also reflect the couple’s personal taste, because it’s no longer just a meal, but a key part of the overall experience – and, let’s face it, also the budget.
Once the preferences and ideas are clear, it’s time to choose a caterer. If you haven’t decided yet, it’s worth meeting with at least two service providers and asking them to arrange a tasting. It’s common practice for tastings to be free if you end up choosing that particular caterer. An experienced caterer can create a menu that takes every detail into account: the wedding venue, the season, the duration of the event, the number of guests, and the distance between the kitchen and the dining area. For instance, it’s not advisable to serve a complicated à la carte dish if it has to travel a long way from the kitchen to the table – the quality could easily suffer.
It’s also important to think ahead about food leftovers. If possible, consider offering leftovers to guests to take home or serving them for breakfast the next day. If that’s not feasible, the caterer will take care of handling food waste responsibly.
The culinary experience at weddings has become a true adventure, where couples who dare to be different create a unique taste journey that reflects their own preferences and values. More and more often, couples choose to include tasting and ingredient stations at their weddings, where guests can sample different world cuisines and explore various options. These stations can focus on meat, fish, vegetarian dishes, and more – each with its own story and style. This way, the evening can transport guests from one continent to another, offering a truly memorable experience.
For example, we’ve organized weddings where Armenian shashlik was part of a dance performance – servers danced between tables holding skewers, adding both flavor and atmosphere to the experience. An Italian mozzarella station featured authentic, handmade mozzarella prepared right in front of the guests by Italian chefs, accompanied by sweet fresh tomatoes and classic Italian snacks. One couple from Hiiumaa brought Thai-inspired cocktail recipes to their celebration, preparing 80 unique cocktails on the spot for their guests using specially selected syrups and flavor components. This not only added personality to the event but also gave the guests an experience they’ll remember for a long time.
Cocktail Bar
In drink selections, a personal and high-quality cocktail experience is increasingly taking the spotlight, making the celebration truly unique. While a classic wine selection at weddings remains popular, cocktail bars are becoming more common, with each drink having its own story and style. For example, some couples have centered their celebration around one special drink – such as champagne or prosecco – allowing them to serve elegant yet simple beverages with suitable additions like fresh berries, citrus slices, or decorative flowers.
Other couples have chosen a fully personalized cocktail bar, where each drink is connected to special moments or travel memories. One couple created cocktails symbolizing their favorite places in the world: for instance, “Paris Sunrise” consisted of sparkling wine, orange liqueur, and a layer of strawberry purée; another, “Tokyo Night,” was made with Japanese gin, green tea syrup, and tangy yuzu juice, adding an exotic touch to the party.
Cocktail stations are also gaining popularity, where each station focuses on a different drink style or theme. A tequila station might offer custom-made tequila shots served with fresh citrus and chili. Another could focus on gin cocktails, allowing guests to choose their own herbs and fresh fruits to personalize their drinks. One bold couple even set up a full gin bar at their wedding, featuring ten different gins and custom-made drinks prepared on-site, giving guests the opportunity to create exactly the cocktail they prefer.
These kinds of cocktail experiences not only complement the wedding menu but also create a cohesive atmosphere where every drink enhances the celebration and expresses the couple’s personality.
Dessert
The importance of the dessert section at weddings has grown, and couples are becoming bolder in their choices. More and more, a diverse dessert table is preferred, where classic sweets meet original and personalized treats. This approach not only satisfies every palate but also creates a lively and cozy atmosphere.
The dessert table could include a variety of sweets offering something for every taste. For example, authentic French macarons with fillings customized to the couple’s preferences – ranging from chocolate and vanilla to exotic flavors like passion fruit and green tea. Additionally, the dessert table should be colorful and attractive, providing visual delight through beautiful presentation.
Distinctive treats, such as mini pavlovas or mini cheesecakes, add playfulness to the table and allow guests to try multiple flavors. One cool idea is to create a “do-it-yourself” dessert station where guests can assemble their own desserts by choosing from various sauces, fruits, and flavored creams. For instance, different chocolate sauces, fresh berries, and nuts could be available to create personalized sweets that suit everyone’s tastes.
As an alternative, smaller and portable treats are also trending, such as strawberries covered in chocolate glaze or miniature cakes, which help reduce food waste and offer enjoyment the next morning as well. These desserts can be packaged in cute and unique containers matching the wedding theme, turning every bite into a true delight and experience.
In summary, food and drink at a wedding are not just about filling stomachs – they form a complete and well-thought-out experience. Today, when every resource needs to be used consciously, it is justified that the wedding culinary experience reflects the couple’s personality – a unique and memorable journey.
