The biggest food and drink wedding trends for 2019
Wedding food used to all about be three-course sit down meals and a buffet in the evening. But, over time, what we eat and drink on someone's special day has become one of the most important part of the festivities.
So, are you planning to tie the knot in 2019? Here's what the experts reckon will be big on the wedding culinary scene this year, from over-the-top edible displays to personalised cocktails...
The rise of the cocktail hour
Traditionally, the cocktail hour was used as that buffer time between the ceremony and the meal. But now, this wedding downtime has become a huge part of the big day.
It seems couples are getting more and more interested in creating a full cocktail experience – just look at the popularity of prosecco trucks in 2018.
This year? Expect personal and themed cocktails, according to Michael Stringer, Managing Director of BlackLeaf Events.
“We’ve had requests to create cocktails themed on the bridal and groom parties, using people's personality traits to create bespoke drinks,” he told Good Housekeeping.
“We’re also seeing fresher ingredients making their way into the wedding bar, such as edible flowers and freshly picked herbs.”
And if that’s not your thing, Michael is also seeing an increase in couples sourcing alcohol locally – such as kegs of beer from local craft breweries – while ‘conscious cocktails’ are also becoming more popular. This includes low-ABV cocktails for pregnant guests, designated drivers or non-drinkers.
Late-night snacking
It’s not just the big meal that’s important – more and more couples are finding inventive ways to have fun with food towards the end of the evening too.
Jo and Anthony Robinson from The Kitchen at Primrose Hill Farm, have seen a whole host of creative late-night food ideas recently.
“Adding both style and substance, DIY bacon roll stations are hugely popular and, for venues with fire pits, such as Primrose Hill Farm, we suggest serving marshmallows for toasting. We have also seen cheese toasties, marvellous macaroon pops, milkshakes and more,” the duo told us.
“We personally love a classic cheese and bread station, which can be a wonderfully cost-effective choice for couples opting for a cheese wedding cake.”
Edible Displays
More couples are turning food into art, using edible displays to impress guests, according to Dorothy Rugira, Event Manager at Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden.
“I predict 2019 will see the growth of dessert canapé towers, which have already proved popular with our clients,” she says.
“Catering suppliers will continue to push creative boundaries by conjuring up stunning visual displays that naturally becoming a talking point and an interactive spot to gravitate towards at events.”
This include everything from macaron towers to doughnut walls and self-serving food stations.
Edible wedding favours
Wedding favours have always been tricky, and some couples opt to forgo them completely. However if you are wanting to treat guests, it seems 2019 is the year for edible gifts.
“We’ve had an influx of brides and grooms choosing to have a form of sweet treat as a favour,” says Minnie Sibanda, the wedding and events coordinator at St. Ermin’s Hotel in London.
“I’ve even seen the traditional sugared almonds making their way back onto the wedding scene, as well as freshly baked cookies.”
If you want to give a personalised wedding gift, why not make homemade jam, marmalade or hot sauce that you can add your wedding date to? Alternatively, choose your favourite gin and decant into little vintage, customised bottles!
Lisa Forde, owner of wedding stationery company Tree of Hearts, says getting crafty with bottles and jars always shows guests you’ve made an effort.
“It’s easy to add your own spin to this theme, choosing presentation that reflects your theme or personality,” she tells us. “For example ribbons to suit your colour scheme, flowers that featured in the bride’s bouquet, and hand-written labels.”
Food trucks
OK – food trucks are nothing new, but we expect to see more couples completely shunning a sit-down meal in favour of a more informal style of eating. Manjit Kaur, who runs her own food truck catering business, Manjit’s Kitchen, is seeing a rise in wedding enquiries.
“We do more and more weddings each year. We have a converted horse box which we use as a food truck. This can get more or less anywhere,” she says.
“We go to farms, castles and even campsites. Food trucks provide an ideal catering option in these places. Festival type weddings are popular. Many of our couples are keen to support independent businesses too and booking a food truck enables that. It is relaxed, informal and guests order their food as and when. "
Grazing tables
Forget waiters handing out canapés, grazing tables are the hot new trend for 2019, and it's the perfect way to get guests mingling.
Toria Smith, who runs the UK’s first grazing catering service Grape & Fig, has given the humble buffet a modern makeover and her booked-up 2019 proves just how popular this style of eating has become.
“It’s all about the sociable aspect of it,” Toria tells us. “It brings people together; we want guests to enjoy themselves and chat to one another.”
An example of one of Toria’s grazing tables can include wheels of Brie with locally produced honeycomb, plates of charcuterie, homemade breads and gorgeous quiches.
Textured and hand-painted wedding cakes
First it was naked cakes, last year it was cupcake towers, and now 2019 seems to be all about contemporary and textured wedding cakes.
Award-winning cake designer Rosalind Miller, says she’s had requests for lots of contemporary, hand-painted floral wedding cakes this year already.
“We’ve had requests for painted designs, referencing famous artists or artistic styles,” she told us. “There’s also been a lot of concrete, geode and textured stone effects too, accented with shimmered details or metallics.”
Michelle Shulman, Cake Couturier at La Belle Cake Company, has also noticed a lot of couples requesting textured wedding cakes.
“Texture is a big trend so, rather than splashes of colour, I’m seeing splashes of texture in the forms of delicate hand pipework and edible lace,” she says.
Dessert tables
It's not just wedding cakes getting a modern revamp – dessert tables are also growing in popularity for post-wedding feasting.
“They’re popular for two reasons,” Rosalind Miller tells us. “Firstly, they make a huge impact – whether they’re large and overflowing or minimal and spread out – creating a lot of visual interest with different elements and heights.
“Secondly, they’re extremely versatile; they provide an array of different dessert options for guests to try and come back to. They also offer an opportunity to provide gluten-free and vegan options too, or something sweet for guests who don’t like cake.”
Fun dessert station ideas can include a pancake station, ice cream bar, pies, biscuits and even fruit. Or even better, what desserts do you and your other half LOVE? Why not try and incorporate them into the mix?
Beverage stations
DIY Prosecco and G&T stands were big in 2018, and fans of the concept will be pleased to hear that the trend is not expected to slow down in 2019.
Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, founder of event planning service La Fête, says it’s not just booze either, as beverage stations are catering to all couples' tastes.
“We’ve seen a definite increase in clients requesting hot drinks carts, particularly coffee and hot chocolate, but do consider a gorgeous tea trolley, filled with all kinds of flavours and blends,” she told us.
Other ideas include craft beer and Champagne stations, where guests can taste new things or personalise their drinks.
“Beverage stations can also be reminiscent of childhood favourites, with lemonade stands and milk & cookie carts as an alternative to alcohol or hot drinks.”
Outdoor BBQs
Perfect for the warmer months, barbecues are a great, informal alternative to a traditional sit-down meal. And wedding catering service George’s Kitchen is seeing this dining option becoming more favoured thanks to the popularity of boho-style weddings.
“Couples are opting for outdoor BBQs, as they are great for adding a mythical woodland or adventurous side to the day. Doing something like a Lamb Asado (whole lamb grilled over an open fire) is a big crowd pleaser as it gives the guests a show.”
Fresh, organic and locally sourced food
“We’re seeing more couples come to us looking to incorporate local ingredients into their wedding menus,” says Emma Jenkins, Creative Director at EJ Catering.
For example weddings in Wales may opt for Welsh beef, lamb and Welsh-grown veggies.
“As a caterer, locally sourcing ingredients is so important to us. It allows us to develop better flavour using ‘in season’ ingredients. We also have a sustainable worth ethic using local suppliers, which has also helped build relationships as well as supporting other small businesses.”
Quirky seating plans
Lily Scott, who owns Ever After Music & Choreography, says that seating arrangements are still very much an important part of a couple’s big day, but she's seeing more creative ways of displaying these to guests.
“I was recently at a wedding where the tables were named after London tube stops as the couple were from North and South London,” she told Good Housekeeping. “Their wedding plan was a custom-made map of the London Underground and each guests was giving a London G&T. It was a really funny and clever way to showcase a seating arrangement.”
Whole menus going vegan
It’s no surprise that in 2019 weddings will be going completely vegan or vegetarian thanks to more people ditching meat and dairy.
“We have seen a huge rise in guests with dietary requirements,” says George’s Kitchen.
“We try to keep the menus as similar as possible, so if we serve dauphinoise potatoes, we’ll do an oat milk version. However, an increasing number of couples are asking for their whole menu to be vegan or vegetarian. We do find that carnivore lovers are shocked that they loved a dish without any meat!”
Environmentally-friendly weddings
As we’re becoming more sustainable and environmentally conscious consumers, it’s no surprise that weddings are reflecting this style of living, too.
Philly Nicholson, Director of Events at Appetite Events, says there’s a definite increase in interest for environmentally-friendly weddings.
“We deliberately work with ethical producers, people that use produce from its own garden, and local suppliers, and this really appeals to couples,” she told Good Housekeeping. “For example, we work with BrewGooder beer who donate 100% of its profits to clean water projects around the world.”
We can't wait to see what the weddings we're attending this year have planned!
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