ideas & advice

You are here: Ideas & Advice > Catering >Catering

Creative Menu Ideas and Catering Trends

When it comes to catering your wedding reception, build a menu that will excite and entice.  Here are our favorite menu ideas and catering trends.

Go Ethnic

Gain inspiration from our friends across the border or overseas, and feature an ethnic menu. It’s a great opportunity to honor your heritage or just an excuse to serve something fun. Consider an Italian pasta station, a Chinese wok station, even a build-your-own taco bar. Or take your guests on a world tour, and serve a little bit of everything!

Make Comfort Food Chic

Pay homage to your family upbringing and serve comfort foods, straight up with a chic twist. Everyone loves macaroni and cheese; add some pizzazz to an old favorite by adding gruyere and fontina cheeses. Stuff mini sirloin hamburgers with blue cheese and top them with caramelized onions. Comfort foods can also be served family-style, setting a relaxed and festive mood for the wedding reception.

Reflect a Theme

Tie it all together, and choose your catering menu based on the season, theme or color of your wedding. Feature apple-maple glazed chicken with pumpkin cheesecake during the fall, or try lemon grilled salmon with a steamed fresh vegetable medley during the summer. Stocking a buffet with all food from the same family on the color wheel can make for a fascinating presentation (albeit, a little rough on your caterer). One of our favorite menue ideas - connect your guests to the wedding celebration and recreate your first meal has a couple or revolve your cuisine around your honeymoon destination.  Our complete theme weddings guide has even more ideas for every season and theme.

Cocktails & Appetizers

Looking to break the traditional five course mold? Base your entire wedding reception on cocktails and appetizers. This catering serving style allows for more variety and affords ample opportunity for creative presentation ideas. Serve a signature drink at a customized drink station. Feature shrimp and grits martinis. You’re only limited by your imagination. The constant flow of stimulating culinary works of art and eye-catching spirits creates an intimate social atmosphere for your guests.

Fondues & Fountains

Fondues are back, and the bold and decadent chocolate fountain is popping up at receptions all over the country. Who wouldn’t love to dip into a tower of flowing chocolate? Not only is it delicious and visually appealing, it also gives guests a chance to mingle over dessert. Seen too many chocolate fountains of late? Kick start the evening with a swiss cheese fondue instead.