With 2022 fast approaching, wedding planning is kicking into high gear. And brides, grooms and planners alike will be tuning into new trends and ideas sure to make their wedding as unique and stylish as possible.
With that in mind, Jacquie Bols of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering takes a look at 5 of the top wedding reception food trends — from low-waste to plant-based — so you can bring your wedding catering menu into 2022 without missing a beat.
Because of the surprising appeal of last year’s Covid-appropriate micro-weddings, intimate micro-weddings are still a thing. In fact, they have skyrocketed as couples are now aware that small celebrations can be as incredible, unique, and glamorous as large-scale ones.
Bonus: Small, intimate ceremonies tend to be more informal, perfect for 20 and 30-somethings. So catering menus that are cocktail-hour only are still trending. Think passed hors d’oeuvres, small plates and apps, and bite-sized desserts in place of a cake. If this approach is sounds good, consider a late-afternoon or evening ceremony so your guests can enjoy small bites and signature cocktails after sundown.
As more of us adopt more waste-conscious, environmentally friendly habits in our day-to-day lives, it just makes sense that this approach would translate to weddings.
Consider fabric napkins and tablecloths instead of their disposable counterparts, and opt out of all plastics in favor of washable, reusable items.
Creative décor rocks! Try using plantable seed-paper for table markers and living, take-home plants. Repurposed and vintage items as centerpieces are awesome in lieu of cut or plastic flowers.
Serve sodas and sparkling waters and beer and liquor in recyclable cans and bottles, rather than disposable plastic containers.
In keeping with the low-key, informal theme, grazing tables, consider help-yourself arrangements of charcuterie, cheeses, fruits, crudites, and other snacks. Great opportunity to highlight local cheese-makers, organic farmers, bakeries and charcuterie producers.
So-called grazing tables are great for an evening ceremony without a formal, sit-down dinner. You can still offer a cocktail-hour before dinner, or even as a late-night food option.
As it becomes more widely understood that reducing our consumption of meat and other animal byproducts can help reduce greenhouse gases, consider swapping out beef sliders for plant-based sandwich bites. Rplace shrimp cocktail with delicious seasonal crudites and plant-based dips, such as hummus or baba ghanoush.
For dinner, look to countries and regions whose traditional cuisines are less meat-heavy than many western menus, such as India, Africa, and the Middle East.
Stay true to the earth with an environmentally friendly wedding theme. Edible flowers can be applied to cakes and cupcakes, used to garnish salads or cocktails, or dried and used as a tea!
You can also incorporate dried flowers into your wedding favors. Try dried sachets of lavender, or an elegant preserved bouquet for your guests to enjoy for years to come.
According to Jacquie Bols, Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering owner/manager, “Planning a wedding event this coming year can be less stressful and fun. Together, we can have a great time planning the menu, and your guests can have a blast sampling sustainable and earth-friendly foods – which happens to be our sweet spot.”
We’re all about making your next event as thoughtful and memorable as it is delicious!