The foodies have spoken.
And announced the wedding food trends for 2020. Hope you’re hungry.
It may not seem high on your list when you first get engaged, but wedding food is kind of a big deal. Speak to anyone who’s been to a wedding recently, and they’re likely to tell you all about the food (whether it’s good or bad). It’s clear that food is one of the most important parts of wedding days.
And as we’re big foodies here, we do our best to ensure you know the options we offer.
In some circles (certainly not ours), wedding food has a rep for being a bit bland. The food at weddings of yesteryear usually comprised of a choice between the “chicken or fish” and your steak was usually served overcooked and bordering on cold. Bleugh.
These days, as millennials make food the focus, we’re doing away with boring wedding food. Modern couples are turning to their heritage, and their locality, to influence their wedding menu, paying less attention to what they feel they’re “supposed” to do, and instead having a bit more fun. And we couldn’t be more down with that!
Planning your wedding menu? We’ve rounded up some wedding food trends that are expected to hit a serving tray near you.
We’ve found that weddings, where the food is personalised and unpretentious, are often the best. And those that do away with unnecessary traditions are usually more memorable. But at the end of the day, your wedding menu is all up to you.
The wedding food trends for 2020 everyone will be eating up:
1.) Pay homage to local.
The trend is here to stay. And we couldn’t be happier.
Whether the choice is to go local for fresh paddock to plate offerings, or merging couples’ heritage through food, honouring cities, regions, or family heritage in menu creation is a big thing for our couples.
Chef Rich says, it all boils down to good quality, seasonal food that’s full of flavour and made with love. We do our best to source all ingredients from local farms, supporting Welsh farmers and suppliers across the country.
2.) Opt for substitutes.
Addressing dietary lifestyles has become more common.
Many of our couples request us to cater for gluten-free, vegan, meat-free, paleo, or nut-free preferences.
A few favourites (that are total winners with our couples and their guests) are our vegan herb-marinated aubergine steak served with butternut squash, beetroot puree, roasted baby vegetables, and lemon & herb baby potatoes. As well as our dairy-free confit shredded duck salad served with Asian slaw, sesame, soy, and toasted sesame seeds.
And of course, we couldn’t forget the puds! Our chocolate fudge brownie, with raspberry sorbet, chocolate sauce and fresh raspberries is gluten and dairy-free. Plus it’s vegan. Win! Or should we say, yum!
We’re also seeing a surge in requests for not just vegan dishes as an option but the entire wedding meal from start to finish.
3.) Get playful with your dessert station.
Our sweet tooth couldn’t be happier this trend is still going strong.
A colourful spread with a selection of sweet treats gives your guests a grab-and-go option as they make their way back to the dance floor.
4.) Outdoor eating.
Alfresco dining never looked so cool!
You might be wondering if this is even possible with a North Wales wedding venue. But don’t be put off by a rural setting and fresh air. Outdoor eating around the fire pit beneath a starry sky is a fun way to keep things casual. Embrace grazing platters and sharing boards, and honour the age-old tradition of cocktail hors d’oeuvres for a memorable dining experience.
5.) Elevate your presentation.
Literally. Take your wedding food to new heights by raising the bar.
Present your guests with something unexpected, either with the flavour profile, or presentation. This season it’s all about serving your canapés and bite-sized food in different fun-sized glasses and unique, rustic, artisanal style dishes. Just ensure it’s as fun to eat as it is to look at and that most of all – it tastes good.
6.) Go global with your respect for the environment.
Save the turtles.
So we know paper straws are a total pain in the behind. They turn soggy almost instantly and it’s a pain-staking effort to enjoy the fruit-infused into your summer cocktail. From plastic-free décor to sustainable food presentation, we’re keen to see you more locally, globally, and environmentally minded. And hey, do you even need a straw anyway? We’re all adult here.
Confit shredded duck salad served with Asian slaw, sesame, soy, and toasted sesame seeds; dairy-free. Photo by Richard Miller Photography.
Here at Tower Hill Barns, we love a food and wine-focused wedding. But before you get too overwhelmed, remember that your wedding food should be less about tradition and more about just having fun!
Inspired by these wedding food trends and keen to make a start on your wedding menu? Download our seasonal menus, and get in touch to have a chat with the chefs, to get those ideas flowing.
