After all the tears, laughter, and emotion of the wedding ceremony—and with a long night of dancing ahead—you and your guests are going to be hungry! No matter what time of day you're throwing a wedding reception—morning, noon, or night—the meal is one time to be both self-indulgent and show off your personality as a couple. Do you prefer formal and gourmet or finger foods with local flavor? Breakfast at dinner or teriyaki sliders accompanied by other culturally infused dishes? Couples these days are saying no to paint-by-numbers banquet meals and yes to mixing up their menus with fun, foodie-friendly options. Here, our five favorite trends you should definitely consider:
1. Try Breakfast.
Two words: waffle station. If you have a morning or early-afternoon reception, you can serve an elaborate breakfast or brunch that will cost much less than dinner.
2. Feed Them Family-Style.
Passing around platters of food creates a bonding moment for guests, encouraging them to interact and creating a sense of community.
3. Think Local
Regional, farm-fresh foods are good for the earth and let you show off the area's cuisine. Bonus: Local ingredients often taste better than the shipped-in stuff.
4. Create a Mini Restaurant
For a price, some caterers will allow guests to order on the spot from a limited menu—or even build a kitchen on site.
5. Order in Food Trucks
Bring street grub to the party with these food-stands-on-wheels. But check whether you'll need permits (or be ready to shell out for parking tickets).
—Written by Sophie Brickman for Brides
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