5 Ideas to Elevate Your Wedding Menu

Historically, the majority of wedding celebrations followed a similar structure. A ceremony concluded, followed by a cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner, and dancing to culminate the reception. Rarely was this format altered, and If it was, the hosts might garner some questionable looks from their old-fashioned guests. However, times have certainly changed. Gone are the days of formal evening wear and dinner choices of steak or chicken. Modern brides and grooms are throwing traditional rules out the window, implementing a variety of new, trendsetting motifs. Food is spicing up receptions in several ways; from appetizers to dessert, anything goes. If you are planning a wedding and looking to wow your guests with a unique culinary experience, check out this list of ideas to elevate your celebratory menu.

1. Popcorn Station 

Who doesn’t love popcorn? With many display options and flavor combinations, a popcorn bar is a super charming and affordable twist on a snack table for grazing guests.  Flavors abound where popcorn is concerned. From tiramisu to spicy chipotle, the essence options are endless. Consider filling large, decorative glass containers and arranging them from sweet popcorn to salty. Provide guests with handy, hygienic utensils to scoop their snacks into cute colorful bags. You can even match the color scheme with that of your wedding! Print out festive display signs, alerting guests to what flavors are available to them, and voila! Your popcorn station is ready to go!

2. Cheese and Crackers Table

If you envision a more elegant, sophisticated wedding, look no further than a table full of select cheese and crackers. Cheeses span from creamy to hard, stinky to sweet. Load them all on decorative platters, and display a variety of bread and crackers to accompany them. Cheese and cracker tables look gorgeous with ornamental flowers and greenery, so be sure to mimic your bouquet and fill the table with floral decor.

Cheese and crackers pair delightfully with wine and champagne. As such, a unique idea would be to display signs near the snacks, alerting guests to which cheeses pair well with champagne, white wine, or red wine. Allow your guests to experience uncommon food combinations they will be discussing with friends and family for years to come. 

3. Candy Bar

If kids are attending your wedding, a candy table will keep them, as well as their parents, content and delighted. Buy bulk candy from your favorite discount store, and pour it into decorative jars in different shapes and sizes. Like the popcorn station, provide bags for your guests to mix and match their own candy assortments. 

For a more personalized approach, many websites offer customized candy specifically for weddings or other celebrations. Choose a variety of chocolate candies reflecting your wedding colors, and have them monogrammed with your married last name. They will be a hit with the kids and adults alike!

4. Chips and Dip Buffet

Weddings require a substantial amount of mingling, making it hard to sit down and enjoy a meal. For this reason, finger foods are an excellent way to feed your guests without interrupting the flow of visiting and chatting. 

A station full of chips and dip is a casual yet delicious way to feed your grazing guests. Chips and salsa are classic, but you can also think outside of the box! Hummus and vegetables are a crowd-pleasing pair, and everyone loves a hot spinach dip with sourdough bread. The options are endless, and this theme can range from relaxed to formal, depending on your wedding motif.

5. Ice Cream Sundae Smorgasbord

Is there anything better than an ice cream sundae? Most people would agree that there indeed is not. Therefore, consider skipping the wedding cake and assembling the ultimate ice cream sundae bar instead. It is a great, non-traditional way to provide a delicious and customizable dessert to your family and friends. 

Be sure to allow your guests to choose from several flavors of ice cream and supply them with cups and cones for serving. Finally, stock the smorgasbord with every topping imaginable such as sprinkles, cherries, syrup, and whipped cream!

Modern weddings allow for non-traditional themes and unique food options. Hopefully, this list sparks some culinary creativity for your upcoming nuptials!