Caterers Say These Are the Craziest Wedding Food Trends

There are certain foods that feel like wedding mainstays. This may be the filet mignon or lobster tail option at dinner, or the three-tiered wedding cake at the finale. But weddings are often all about making a splash and in recent years, wedding food traditions have started to trend in rather unique directions.

“When it comes to wedding food trends, the scene has drastically evolved over the past few years,” says Jaye Harrison, owner and founder of Parties Made Personal, an event and party planning service. Now, it's not just about satisfying the taste buds but creating an immersive experience that connects with the couple's journey. “Can you visualize how delightful it is when the menu becomes an extension of the couple's narrative?” says Harrison.

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Megan Rei, a wedding photographer, shares that she has photographed an assortment of pretty inventive and sometimes bizarre wedding foods, from waffle cakes for a brunch wedding instead of regular cake, and a cute soft pretzel station for a backyard wedding. “I think couples are going with unique food choices as another way to personalize their day! Whether they're choosing their own personal favorite foods or local dishes from their hometowns, it's a great way to make their wedding memorable for their guests. Instead of the standard chicken or fish, unique food options give wedding guests something to talk about and remember for years to come,” says Rei.

8 Bizarre Wedding Food & Drink Trends That Are Making the Rounds in 2023

1. Scentscaping

A signature scent for a wedding can be a really fun idea that engages the senses. “Subtlety and coordination across vendors is the key for this to be a great idea,” says Goel. It’s not as well known that most of what you taste in food comes from your sense of smell—overpowering or lingering scents can create negative experiences with your food and wine. “We had a couple who did this really well with a citrus-themed wedding where different rooms had the blooms and plants or bowls or fruit, we added aromatics from the zest, we garnished with the peel, and of course, we infused the dishes with citrus elements,” says Goel.

2. Pickled and fermented garnishes

Guests eat with their eyes, and garnishes are an important element to complete a dish. “The days of curly parsley to sliced citruses must remain in the past. Consider pickled vegetables and fermented sauces to add texture and color, but also umami for an added flavor profile,” says Raj Mistry, founder and owner of District Events & Catering.

3. Let them eat cake

Serving cake, and cake only, at a wedding is a formality. It is even ceremonial in some cases. “The reality is that the majority of guests don’t eat cake due to boredom,” says Mistry. It’s true that we live in a foodie generation, and that includes desserts. Therefore: “Scale down your cake portion and supplement with a dessert display presented with an assortment of sweet treats like macarons, truffles and shooters,” says Mistry. Even from an Instagram perspective, that’s going to be a winner, but also, according to Mistry, this will make guests less likely to feel guilty since the portions are one-to-two bite-size goodies.

4. Cultural fusion dishes

When couples are joining together their families and cultures, that's often reflected in the wedding menu in incredibly creative ways. "I've seen couples weave their cultural heritage into their menu, creating a tapestry of flavors. I recall a Japanese-American couple who desired to blend their backgrounds, culminating in a fusion of sushi rolls and burgers,” says Harrison. Yes, you heard it right: sushi burgers!

5. Interactive food stations

Wedding receptions are all about having a good time, and that fun should be extended to the food. “I have observed a rising demand for interactive food stations that engage and delight guests,” says Tehsin Rashid, a wedding planner. Stations featuring made-to-order sushi rolls, personalized pasta dishes or customized tacos allow guests to curate their own culinary experiences. “These stations create a lively atmosphere, encouraging guests to mingle while savoring delicious, freshly prepared food,” says Rashid.

The interactive element can be extended to all parts of the reception. “One of our 2023 couples who is marrying in New Mexico is considering a chocolate-making station. In the past, we had a live burrata-making station that delighted guests at the Crane Estate,” says Lindsey Shaktman, Destination Planner for Mavinhouse Events.

6. Molecular gastronomy

Michelin-rated and celebrity-chef restaurants have been getting rather scientific with their dishes in recent years, and this is also beginning to be seen on wedding menus. “Couples seeking an avant-garde touch have embraced molecular gastronomy as a wedding food trend,” says Rashid. This scientific culinary approach involves transforming traditional dishes using techniques such as spherification, foams and liquid nitrogen freezing. “From visually stunning encapsulated flavors to edible helium-filled balloons, molecular gastronomy offers a feast for the senses,” says Rashid.

7. Dry ice

Paul Kushner, CEO of MyBartender, has been a mixologist for almost two decades and a surprising trend he has seen make a resurgence is dry ice. “It feels so early 2000s, but I'm getting more requests for dry ice as part of the presentation element of cocktails. Usually in punch fountains or in elements that aren't meant to be consumed, for safety reasons. It's theatrical and fun, but it almost always clashes with any theme that has been established in the venue—unless you have a Halloween-themed wedding of course!” says Kushner. “I expect eccentric couples to want the drama of dry ice (I'll never forget that Phantom of the Opera-themed wedding I worked at once), but I'm surprised how many tasteful, classic weddings are requesting this garnish!” says Kushner.

This is a trend that there's so much fun to be had with. “I'd say that the most common application is the champagne tower because you can have the dry ice in some of the inner glasses of champagne. It melts long before anyone goes to drink it, which is important because ingesting dry ice is extremely dangerous.”

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8. The decline of the traditional wedding cake

Gone are the days of plain vanilla or chocolate. Miller & Lux’s pastry expert, Chef Karla Marro, surprises guests with her seemingly traditional cakes that reveal exotic flavors. “Our most popular are her signature rose water buttercream and raspberry compote, and the matcha cake with passion fruit buttercream,” says Giovanna Bowcock, Director of Events at Chef Tyler Florence’s ultra-swank steakhouse, Miller & Lux. Bowcock is also seeing a rise in requests for elegant petite dessert bars. “The presentation of an array of sweets can be just as beautiful as a multi-layer confection,” says Bowcock, who says one recent bride loved their menu’s apple tart so much that she asked Chef Karla to make these adorable mini apples for her special day. “Not only cute and unique, smaller desserts offer guests more variety,” says Bowcock. Perfectly portioned, petite desserts can make for a less wasteful and more sustainable wedding.”

Today's wedding meal is not just food—it's a statement, a narrative, and a unique experience. “Couples now view it as a vehicle to inject their personality into the wedding, making it a memorable event for their guests. This exciting trend keeps me alert and eager to stay updated with the wedding industry,” says Harrison.

Next: The 10 Biggest Wedding Food Trends of 2023, According to Caterers & Planners