Over two million weddings were planned in the United States for 2022. So, it’s hard for wedding planners to create wedding menus that truly stand out from the rest. There are just so many classic options!
If you want to create unique food options for your clients, you might be wondering what kind of wedding food menu you can put together. Read on for our top unusual wedding catering ideas today.
Hire a few food trucks that serve a variety of cuisines. This will give the wedding guests a chance to sample a variety of dishes and can be a fun and unique addition to any wedding.
Food trucks offer a range of cuisine options, which can cater to the different tastes of wedding guests.
You’ll need enough space for the food trucks to park and serve the guests. Be sure to communicate with the chosen venue about the space required for the food trucks.
Create stations where guests can build their own tacos, burgers, or pizzas. This allows guests to personalize their meals and adds an interactive element to the catering.
Consider offering a variety of stations with different options, such as a taco station, a pasta station, or a salad bar. This will allow guests to customize their meals to their preferences.
Instead of plated meals, have large platters of food placed on each table for guests to share. This creates a communal dining experience and encourages guests to interact with each other.
Depending on the complexity of the stations, you may need to have staff members present to assist guests and keep the stations clean and organized. This can add more to the projected budget, so make sure you communicate that to your clients.
If you’re planning a morning or daytime wedding, one of the top food ideas is to offer a brunch buffet with a variety of breakfast items.
Offer a variety of beverages to accompany the brunch buffet, such as coffee, tea, juices, and mimosas.
Brunch buffets have a more casual and relaxed atmosphere, which can be a great fit for couples who want a more laid-back wedding. Brunch buffets are often less expensive than traditional dinner receptions, making them a more budget-friendly option for clients looking to save money.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, consider a dessert buffet with a variety of sweet treats like cupcakes, donuts, cookies, and candy. You can also include a make-your-own sundae bar.
With a dessert buffet, you can offer more dessert options than with just a cake. This can be a great way to showcase your client’s favorite desserts or include desserts that are special to your client’s family or culture.
Dessert buffets can be visually stunning, as you can create a beautiful display of sweets and treats that can double as part of your wedding decor. Dessert buffets can be a fun and interactive addition to the wedding, as guests can choose their own desserts and try different items.
Another option for wedding food is to pair different items together, such as wine and cheese or beer and BBQ.
Start by considering the flavors and ingredients in your menu items. Pairing complementary flavors can enhance the taste of both the food and the drink. Consider the intensity of the flavors in both the food and the drink. A bold, full-bodied wine, for example, may pair well with a rich, savory dish.
Think about the season and the weather when selecting food and drink pairings. Lighter, more refreshing drinks may be more appropriate for a summer wedding, while fuller, richer drinks may be more fitting for a winter wedding.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with unique and unexpected pairings. For example, a spicy dish may pair well with a sweet, fruity drink. Consider offering a variety of drink options, such as wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages, to accommodate all of your guests’ preferences.
Your caterer can be a great resource for selecting food and drink pairings. They can offer suggestions based on your menu and your guests’ tastes.
Create stations where guests can grab small bites and drinks throughout the night.
Stations can be interactive, allowing guests to watch as chefs prepare their food or mixologists create their drinks, adding a fun and engaging element to the dining experience. Food and beverage stations have a more casual and relaxed atmosphere, which can be a great fit for couples who want a less formal wedding.
Stations can be set up throughout the reception space, allowing guests to move around and socialize while they eat and drink.
Highlight the local cuisine of the area where your client’s wedding is taking place.
Serving local cuisine can help showcase the unique culture and culinary traditions of the region where your wedding is taking place. This can create a sense of place and make your wedding feel more authentic.
By choosing local cuisine, you can support local farmers and producers and provide your clients with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Many clients appreciate this local touch.
Sourcing ingredients locally can also help reduce the environmental impact of your wedding catering by minimizing transportation and packaging. Local cuisine can offer a wide range of options, allowing you to customize the menu to your client’s preferences and dietary needs.
After a night of dancing, guests will appreciate some late-night snacks like mini grilled cheese sandwiches, sliders, or even a popcorn bar.
Weddings are long events, and guests can work up an appetite after hours of dancing and celebrating. That’s especially true when you provide great entertainment like a mobile gaming truck. Late-night snacks can provide guests with a boost of energy to keep them going through the rest of the night.
Late-night snacks can be a great way to incorporate your client’s personal tastes and preferences into the wedding. Late-night snacks can help maintain the party atmosphere and keep guests on the dance floor rather than leaving early to find food elsewhere.
Create a tasting menu that features dishes from around the world. This can be a fun and unique way to incorporate different cultures into your wedding celebration.
A global tasting menu can provide guests with a culinary tour of different regions and cultures, offering a unique and memorable experience.
These menus can showcase new and innovative cooking techniques and ingredients, providing your clients with an exciting culinary situation.
It can also offer an elevated and sophisticated dining time to explore, which is perfect for more formal weddings.
Ultimately, the best unique wedding catering option for you will depend on your clients’ needs.
Once you’ve finished with the catering, you’ll need to add entertainment for your client’s weddings. Contact Rockin’ Parties today to get started.