This year, our team is seeing trends rise in popularity, like retro-themed and colorful celebrations, simplicity in decor, cakes, and attire; and personalized interactive experiences, like audiobooks and QR codes. 

Check out more of these 2025 wedding trends that are sure to inspire your upcoming celebration. 

Intimate and Out-of-the-Box Celebrations 

In 2025, couples are trading out opulence for meaningful connections, opting for smaller gatherings or micro weddings that allow for creativity, self-expression, and genuine connection.

For example, themed rehearsal dinners were traditionally just formal parties but now they’re turning into immersive and out-of-the-box experiences that tell the couple’s story or show off their shared interests. These smaller events allow for more creativity and self-expression leading up to the day itself.

Examples we’re seeing:

• Pre-welcome parties give couples and their guests a laid-back way to kick off the celebrations, mingle, and meet one another. 
• Day-after-brunches provide another opportunity for an intimate and casual gathering where you can chill out and extend “thank you’s” to your guests. 
• AirBnB or backyard weddings provide an intimate setting and can be more cost-friendly than renting out an entire venue.

Destination Weddings

Another way that couples are achieving more intimate celebrations is through destination weddings. Typically, destination weddings help you control your guest list so that you celebrate with your closest friends and family. And, they’re ideal if you want a whole weekend of celebrations with them versus just the day of. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Tulum, Mexico, offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure with stunning beaches and ancient ruins.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico, is another vibrant city with culture and history, offering couples and their guests a nice getaway with plenty to do. 
• Lake Como, Italy, provides a romantic experience with its scenic mountains and charming village.

Retro and Vintage Revival 

Nostalgia is reigning supreme this year — couples are turning back the clock and revisiting retro and vintage elements in their celebrations. 

From dresses to decors, these trends surely embody the glam of the 1920s and the old-school charm of the 70s and 80s.

Examples we’re seeing: 

• Pearl and lace trim have made an appearance on wedding attire and invitations.
• Retro wedding dresses complete with regal lace, full skirts, satin, veils, and vintage-inspired necklines have brought romantic charm back into wedding fashion. 
• Groovy decor — think record players, disco balls, and retro-style save-the-date cards. 

Monochromatic Blooms

A monochromatic theme for wedding flowers has bloomed this year. Couples are choosing bouquets and arrangements with flowers all in the same color to achieve the cohesive look they bring to their big day. They’re even repurposing flowers from the ceremony to the reception to save some cash and make the celebration more sustainable. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• All-white weddings featuring white rose and baby’s breath bouquets 
• Peach-tone floral arches 
• Floating floral installations in earthy tones like brown and salmon

Colors That Pop

Alternatively, some couples are focusing on mixing bold and vibrant colors (especially for summer weddings) rather than going the monochromatic route. This means colorful venues and wedding attire that pops. Showcasing more color in the traditional wedding celebration is emerging as a way to show a couple’s uniqueness and personality. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Couples are opting for venues that serve as a canvas for their colorful vision, whether it’s a vibrant garden, a modern art gallery, or an urban loft. 
• No more matchy-matchy bridal parties — couples are encouraging their bridal party to embrace individuality by wearing different colors and styles of dresses or suits.

Peach, Pearls, and Bows

When it comes to wedding dresses and attire, more brides are incorporating peach tones (it’s Pantone’s color of the year, so it’s a very trendy choice), as well as bows and pearl elements. These trends are sure to bring a touch of elegance to any wedding look or celebration. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Bows added to candle decor, napkin holders, and napkins
• Bow and pearl detailing on wedding dresses
• Peach-colored bridesmaid dresses and florals 

“Come-As-You-Are” Attire

Gone are the days of strict dress codes and cookie-cutter attire. In 2025, guests are encouraged to express their personal style with a refreshing shift towards more casual and nontraditional clothing options, striking the perfect balance between fashion and comfort. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Maxi dresses and jumpsuits over cocktail dresses
• Casual shoes like classy tennis shoes rather than dress shoes 
• Nice shirts with slacks — no tie necessary 

Natural and Candid Photography

Couples are embracing a more natural and candid approach to capturing their special day and nixing the more costly option of professional photography. More couples are also incorporating photography into the guest experience. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Giving guests Polaroid and disposable cameras to shoot candid shots throughout the celebrations 
• Photo booths complete with props 
• Hiring wedding content creators to help snap pics and take videos 

Interactive and Audio Guest Books

Guest books have long been a cherished tradition at weddings, offering guests a space to share their well wishes with the couple. However, in recent years, couples are opting for more creative and interactive approaches, like video or audiobooks where guests can record messages.

Examples we’re seeing:

• Vintage-style telephones, like a rotary phone, where guests can leave you voicemails to listen to later
• Digital audio guestbook kiosks or phone booths where guests can leave messages using a touchscreen device 
• Message in a bottle guest books so guests can write notes and leave them in a decorative bottle  

QR Codes 

Forget save-the-dates that clog up inboxes — QR codes are the hot new way to invite guests to weddings this year. Couples are customizing QR codes to use on their wedding invitations, website, welcome bags, and more to add a fun tech twist and provide an easier way for guests to receive information about your special day. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• QR codes on physical or digital invitations that let guests RSVP quickly
• QR codes on signs so that guests access seating charts for the reception dinner
• QR codes that let guests drop their photos so everyone can see them in one place 
• QR codes that give guests quick access to wedding information, such as the schedule or wedding registry link

Family-Style Catering

More wedding day celebrations are shifting away from the traditional plated service with wait staff to offer a more communal and interactive dining experience for guests. Family-style wedding catering brings people together around the table, allowing guests to chat and mingle with one another. Plus, it’s a great way to save some cash. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Platters and sides being offered to the table to be passed around, rather than serving guests an individual plate of food 
• For smaller weddings, having a main buffet-style table where guests can choose food options as they please

Comfort Food Favorites Over Traditional Bites 

Couples are putting a delicious spin on wedding dining by opting for fun comfort food favorites that cater to their guests’ tastes and cravings. This year, we say goodbye to traditional hors d’oeuvres and hello to mouthwatering options like pizza, tacos, and gourmet burgers. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Reception food trucks, especially for warm weather and outdoor celebrations
• Grazing tables filled with various snacks
• Interactive food stations, like pasta prepared on the spot, build-your-own tacos, and DIY sushi bars
• Party reception food delivery from a local restaurant to satisfy end-of-night cravings 

Simpler Wedding Cakes

Wedding cake designs are taking a cue from the less-is-more philosophy, favoring simplicity over grandeur. Designers are replacing elaborate icing and fondant with more natural textures and delicate floral arrangements. Additionally, couples are turning to cake alternatives to mix things up.

Examples we’re seeing:

• “Naked” wedding cakes paired with colorful berries
• Bouquet cakes that feature flower arrangements
• Simple heart-shaped cakes
• Donut and cupcake stands or towers

Personalized Food Bars 

For a more interactive and unique experience, food carts are shaking up the wedding scene in 2025. Instead of traditional bars and buffets, couples are opting for persionalized options that can roam the venue, keeping the party going and the hunger at bay.

Examples we’re seeing: 

• Champagne and caviar carts
• Churro carts 
• Smoked-old fashioned bar 

Personalized Cocktail Bar 

Personalized cocktail bars are taking center stage in 2025 weddings, offering couples the opportunity to infuse their love story and personality into every sip. 

Signature wedding cocktails are a highlight, with couples crafting concoctions that reflect their tastes and experiences, often accompanied by fun and unique names that add a playful touch to the celebration. 

As generational preferences evolve, there’s a shift towards more mocktails, catering to guests who prefer non-alcoholic options. Couples are getting creative with personalized mocktails, ensuring that every guest can raise a glass and toast to love in their own way. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Spicy cocktails, like jalapeno margaritas with a twist unique to the couple
• Cocktails named after the couple’s pets to help incorporate them into the wedding 
• Personalized coffee drinks for late-night celebrations 

Champagne Walls 

Bubbles, anyone? A champagne wall has been the ultimate wedding centerpiece this year. With rows of champagne flutes lined up and ready for the taking, guests grab a glass straight from the wall and cheers to the occasion. This wedding trend can also be a fun DIY project if you’re up to the task.

Examples we’re seeing:

• Champagne walls paired with hedge greenery, florals, and lights for the perfect photo opportunity
• Layered champagne classes on a bookshelf 
• Champagne glasses stacked in a tower rather than side by side

Custom Wedding Branding 

Couples are elevating their wedding celebrations with personalized branding that reflects their unique love story and interests. 

Custom wedding branding goes beyond traditional monograms, incorporating symbols and motifs that hold special meaning for the couple. We’ve spotted them being used in various wedding elements, from invitations to escort card displays — even on custom wedding websites. 

Examples we’re seeing:

• Custom illustrations that depict special moments between the couple 
• Symbolic motifs that represent something special in the couple’s lives, like their pet or their favorite place
• Family crests can represent and honor the couple’s unique family history 

Honeymoons With Adventure 

In 2025, couples are trading traditional relaxation trips for adventurous honeymoon escapades, including event-driven itineraries and “buddymoons,” which are honeymoons with friends. This shift reminds couples how important it is to make memories by experiencing things together instead of relying on material items for happiness.

Examples we’re seeing: 

• Jungle safaris over beach resorts 
• Concert and festival honeymoons
• Mini-moons, which follow the wedding and are smaller versions of the real honeymoon, giving couples more time to save and plan 
• Buddymoons which are a honeymoon celebration with family and friends included

Plan Your Dream Wedding With Joy

In 2025, it’s clear that couples are prioritizing personalization and creating lasting memories on their special day. From personalized cocktail bars to interactive guest books and simple yet elegant cakes, these trends reflect a desire for authenticity and a celebration of love in all its unique forms. 

To incorporate these trends into your special day, use Joy to help plan and invite your guests, as well as use the all-in-one wedding registry services. 

The post 2025 Wedding Trends to Inspire Your Special Day  appeared first on Joy.

The wedding bar is a popular place, especially at the beginning of cocktail hour. Everyone’s excited to see bartenders with shakers at the ready — and who doesn’t love the “pop!” of a cork followed by the fizz of Champagne filling a glass? 

Take this opportunity to wow your guests with a signature cocktail. Whether it’s a drink that takes cues from your wedding season or an animal-themed concoction inspired by your pet, this is a chance to have fun while keeping guests hydrated and happy. From interactive stations to fresh fruit mocktails, find your perfect signature drink by diving into our list of 35 wedding cocktail ideas for your big day.

Frozen Cocktails

Daiquiri 

If you’re offering frozen drinks, a blended daiquiri is a must-have. On its own, a daiquiri is flavored with rum, lime juice and sweetener like simple syrup, but you can also add fruits like strawberry, mango and watermelon. 

Popsicle Cocktail

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Pair a popsicle with your favorite wine, add fresh herbs for more color, and you’ll have the perfect summer cocktail that will wow guests with its creative presentation.

Pina Colada

This refreshing drink has light rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut. Typically garnished with a pineapple wedge, a pina colada will help transport your guests straight to the beach.

Frozen Margarita

A traditional margarita calls for tequila, triple sec, lime juice and simple syrup. Blend with ice to have a delicious frozen treat that will keep guests cool on a warm summer night.

Wine Slushie

Sweeter sips like moscato, riesling or blush wines are the best picks for slushies, which can be created with frozen fruit that matches your wedding colors. 

Orange Creamsicle 

If you want a drink to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth and make a colorful impression at cocktail hour, an orange creamsicle is the perfect treat. This whimsical beverage is made with whipped cream or vanilla-flavored vodka, fresh orange juice and half-and-half, and garnished with an orange slice.

Interactive Stations

Hot Chocolate Station

Give your guests a winter warm-up with a build-your-own hot cocoa bar. In addition to sweet mix-ins, your bartender can offer splashes of liqueurs like peppermint schnapps, Baileys Irish Cream and Frangelico.

Whiskey Bar

Cocktail hour can be more than guests picking a drink — why not create an experience? Speak with your caterer about hosting a whiskey bar with tastings for guests to sample and learn about different types and flavor profiles. 

Wine Tasting

Offer guests a selection of pours from local wineries or your favorite reds and whites for a personal spin on a traditional wine tasting. 

Coffee Bar

Want to offer your guests a drink option to give them a jolt of energy? Set up a premium coffee bar with flavored syrups, biscotti and creamers. Guests can enjoy an alcohol-free beverage or get an extra buzz with a shot of Amaretto, Kahlúa or chocolate liqueur. 

Beer Tasting

If your guest list is more inclined to order beer over wine, work with your caterer to contact local breweries and create a custom tasting flight inspired by your favorites. 

Small Sips and Snack Pairings

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What’s better than cocktails? Boozy sips paired with a treat. Whether it’s a mini margarita and taco or a shot of Irish cream liqueur with a doughnut, these downsized delights are great conversation-starters among guests. Looking for a different vibe? Try bourbon and bacon for a satisfying combination of smoky and savory flavors. 

Mocktails

Nojito

The mocktail version of a mojito, this drink offers all the refreshing flavors of mint and lime mixed with non-alcoholic rum extract, sugar and club soda. 

Shirley Temple

A classic crowd-pleaser, the Shirley Temple combines lemon-lime soda and grenadine, a sweet syrup made from pomegranate juice. This drink isn’t complete without its signature garnish, a maraschino cherry. 

Sparkling Cardinal Punch 

Perfect for summer weddings, a sparkling cardinal punch is a bright and tart beverage that combines lemon, orange and cranberry juice with ginger ale. 

Sunrise Mocktail

Combine orange juice, non-alcoholic sparkling wine and grenadine for a beautiful drink with a citrus garnish.

Large Batch Cocktails

Red Wine Sangria

Red wine, brandy, sugar and plenty of fruit like blackberries, oranges and strawberries create a rich, sweet pitcher of sangria. This option is perfect for a reception with different food stations and will certainly have people coming back for more. 

White Wine Sangria

A white wine sangria offers a crisp, refreshing sip that may incorporate a different type of sweetener such as Grand Marnier. Opt for fruits like mangoes and peaches for a tropical twist on the traditional citrus. 

Strawberry Rosé Punch

If you’re looking for a large batch option for a summer wedding, this zippy punch marries the flavors of rosé wine, blood orange soda, strawberries, sugar and fresh basil. It’s a great choice for helping guests cool off during an outdoor ceremony. 

Winter Moscato Punch

While it may seem like all large batch cocktails are made for warmer weather, this punch can be modified for any season. For a winter spin, combine moscato wine, ginger beer and triple sec with cranberry or pomegranate juice. 

Vodka Mint Limeade

If you’re looking for a large batch cocktail that isn’t wine-based, a vodka mint limeade packs a tart punch with fresh lime juice and herbs. Add fruit like strawberries for an additional garnish and pop of color. 

Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Lemonade

A popular vodka and citrus mixture, this drink combines vodka, club soda, fresh lemon juice, blackberries, and sugar. 

Classic Cocktails

Champagne Cocktail

Elevate a glass of bubbly with bitters and a citrus peel to create an elegant, timeless drink. This is a great tray-passed sip to serve upon guests’ arrival at your reception.

French 75

For those who want a Champagne-based cocktail with a little more flair, the French 75 is the perfect option with the addition of gin, lemon juice and sugar.

Mimosa

Looking for a refreshing drink for a Sunday brunch reception? The classic mimosa combines Champagne and orange juice, although you can also provide your guests with other mixers. 

Aperol Spritz

Mix Aperol, an Italian aperitif, with prosecco and club soda to create a bubbly and slightly bitter sip. This drink isn’t complete without an orange slice as a garnish and will certainly be a hit at cocktail hour. 

Mojito

A muddled favorite, the mojito will be a welcome addition for any guest who wants a light, refreshing drink with white rum, simple syrup, mint leaves, lime and club soda. 

Moscow Mule

Ginger beer, vodka and lime are the main ingredients in the familiar copper mug. What’s great about this beverage is how you can modify it to fit your wedding season. For fall, swap out lime for a splash of sparkling cider and add a cinnamon stick for an apple cider mule. 

Crowd Pleasers

Gin and Tonic

Only comprising gin and tonic water, this drink is an essential staple to have at your bar. A slice of citrus fruit or an herb like thyme or rosemary can give this drink a seasonal twist. 

Paloma

This tequila-based cocktail is topped off with grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup, and finished with a salted rim. 

Manhattan

Start with a choice of rye whiskey or bourbon, then mix with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters for a stylish cocktail garnished with a candied cherry.

Old Fashioned

Like a Manhattan, an old fashioned also has bourbon or rye and bitters. This classic whiskey cocktail is sweetened with simple syrup and garnished with an orange twist and cocktail cherry. 

Whiskey Sour

A bourbon-based small sip cocktail, the whiskey sour also includes lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and optional egg whites. 

Wine Spritzer

You only need two ingredients for a simple spritzer: wine and club soda. White, red and pink wines all work for this bubbly sip that could be dressed up with fresh fruit or edible flowers in your wedding colors. 

The post 35 Wedding Cocktail Ideas for Your Reception appeared first on Joy.

From the food to the wedding decor to playing lawn games, having a brunch wedding means things don’t have to be traditional. You’re serving avocado toast, after all! Read on for our roundup of the top brunch wedding ideas to help you plan a day to remember.

Brunch Ambiance Ideas

Most people have the same idea when they hear the word “brunch,” so try to stick with the theme! This means your brunch wedding will be earlier in the day, usually mid-morning. Make sure you start getting ready pretty early, too. If you can, try to prepare your wedding venue the day or evening before. This will go a long way, and save you time and stress, on your wedding day.

• Serve coffee mid-ceremony: Some people aren’t morning people, and you don’t want any cranky birds at your wedding ceremony. Serving coffee and espresso mid-ceremony, or opening a coffee bar or cart, before the ceremony will have your guests feeling warm, happy, and awake when you say “I do.”
• Set up a garden party: Whether your ceremony and reception are completely outdoors or under a tent, a garden party is usually what comes to mind for a brunch wedding. It’s casual but fancy enough to elevate your daytime wedding, and it’s perfect for the spring season!
• Allow for casual brunch attire: While brunch wedding attire is more dressed up than grabbing lunch, it’s still a bright and airy daytime look. Think florals, flowy dresses, and casual suits. Don’t be afraid to have your bridesmaids in fun and different clothing like floral jumpsuits or pastel gowns.
• Make a brunch playlist instead of hiring a DJ: Brunch usually isn’t a place where people get wild on the dance floor, so it may be best to save the money you’d use for a DJ and create a playlist of your own. Add your and your guests’ favorite songs, and consider what you’d want to hear after having a few mimosas! The additional budget can go toward food, beverages, the wedding dress, and more.
• Add in-season bloom centerpieces: To keep things bright, light, and just right for daytime, use flowers that are in-season to enhance your brunch wedding theme.

Brunch Food Ideas

A brunch wedding reception is all about the food. Here are some ideas to make the experience the best it can be.

• Opt for a waffle wedding cake: For something a little different, try a waffle wedding cake or even a wedding pancake. This can be in addition to a traditional wedding cake, but if you want to stick to the brunch theme, a waffle cake or pancake is fun and innovative.
• Include a mimosa bar: Mimosa is one of the drinks people crave when they go to brunch, so you should have a dedicated bar for it! To mix things up, include some of your favorite flavors other than orange. Grapefruit, strawberry, black cherry, and guava are a few fan favorites when orange won’t cut it.
• Have a Bloody Mary bar: The second drink of choice during brunch? The Bloody Mary. Many people are fans of the Bloody Mary, so it’s a good move to have it as a drink option. If it’s not your thing, at least have it on the menu.
• Serve breakfast appetizers: Similar to having a salad appetizer before steak, you can include breakfast snacks and appetizers before the main course, too. These “snacks” can be anything from fresh fruit, doughnuts, bagels, cinnamon rolls, or scones (with tea, of course).
• Arrange for food stations: Brunch weddings can be a more relaxed affair if you choose. Instead of waiters, you may want to have different food stations for main breakfast meals. An omelet station, a french toast station, and a crepe station are quite common during brunch. Make sure to have your guests’ favorite brunch food by having it all!
• Provide more than breakfast food options: Not everyone loves breakfast foods, so it’s best to have at least one option that doesn’t revolve around syrup and eggs. Salmon or steak are great ideas for your non-breakfast option, and they both work well with a few breakfast foods.
• Offer elevated parfaits: This may seem like a simple dish, but an elevated parfait can actually be quite filling. Adding in edible flowers, real honey, and fresh fruit can blow a normal grocery store parfait out of the water. The extravagant ingredients will have your guests raving.

Post-Brunch Reception Ideas

As your brunch wedding will end earlier in the day, there won’t be much to plan for the late afternoon or early evening. You and your guests can spend the remainder of the day however you’d like.

• Gift unique wedding favors that fit the brunch theme: Wedding favors like personalized jam jars, bags of coffee beans with your wedding date, or to-go mimosa-making kits are unique, cute, useful, and fit your brunch wedding theme.
• Have a soap bubble send-off: Before you’re set to leave, make sure everyone gets a bottle of soap bubbles. If the bottle is personalized, even better! The wedding photos will look cool, elegant, and unlike many.
• Plan an optional event for guests: This idea is by no means necessary, but if you think family and friends would enjoy an activity nearby, or in your wedding venue, set one up for optional attendance.

The post 15 Brunch Wedding Ideas appeared first on Joy.

If you’re worried about your baking skills, fear not; pretty much every couple seeks the services of a bakeshop. In doing so, you can understand cake trends, determine your favorite flavors, and construct that edible structure you envision cutting into during the wedding reception.

From a cutting-edge naked cake to a timeless floral cake, discover our collection of 20 unique wedding cake ideas to inspire you and help you decide on your perfect wedding confection.

1. Classic Buttercream with a Twist Wedding Cake

Mix your unique personality with tradition by selecting a classic white buttercream cake — plus, flair provided by your decorations of choice. While the options are endless, you can adorn the cake with your favorite fresh flowers, characters made from fondant, colorful candies, ruffles, a caricature of you and your fiancé, or anything else that makes you smile.

2. One-of-a-Kind Wedding Cake Topper

Get creative with your cake by having a custom wedding cake topper created. Sites such as Etsy connect you with artists who can craft practically anything — from your names or initials carved from wood and dinosaurs dressed for their nuptials to an outline of you and your fiancé sitting on a crescent moon and elephants throwing up their trunks in merriment.

3. Creatively Designed White Wedding Cake

Who said a white wedding cake was boring? Couples who enjoy a simple, yet compelling, modern aesthetic are opting for white cakes layered in offbeat ways and decorated with white frosting in geometric designs. This is a great choice if you want an interesting and beautiful wedding cake in an understated manner.

4. Uber-Edgy Naked Wedding Cake

Get edgy with your cake by selecting one that goes without the outer layer of frosting. This “nakedness” creates a textured unorthodox vibe that is often balanced by a delicate assortment of flowers and greenery.

5. Watercolor Wedding Cake

Art lovers will appreciate the fascinating trend of cakes that appear to be painted with watercolors. The edible “paint” is often intricately applied and can be used to coat the cake in colorful flowers, abstract patterns, ombré, or almost any other visual couples can dream up. If you’re hoping for an ethereal cake, this is the style for you.

6. Impasto Floral Wedding Cake

Couples who enjoy the style of Impasto (thick) oil paintings will drool over cakes that create a similar visual with buttercream and dye. Bakers artfully smear thick patches of buttercream into patterns that evoke the artistic spirit of Rembrandt, van Gogh, and Pollack.

7. Irresistible Chocolate Wedding Cake

If you savor all things chocolate, consider a cake that is literally dripping in it. To do, bakers fill a squeeze bottle with chocolate ganache and carefully apply it, allowing it to drip down the side of the cake. If you want to go all-in with the chocolate, select chocolate cake and filling, and have the cake topped with your favorite chocolate cookies, candies, and cupcakes.

8. Fruity Summer Wedding Cake

Keep your summer wedding light and fresh by having it decorated in seasonal fruits. Favorite options include slices of citrus fruit, figs, mangos, berries, peaches, apricots, and pears. To help the bright colors of the fruit really pop, select a white icing.

9. Earthy Fall Wedding Cake

Have your cake exude the mood of the season by coating it in natural items filled with fall colors. Popular selections for a rustic wedding cake include feathers, autumn leaves, acorns, persimmons, and darker flowers in earth tones.

10. Elegant Gold Wedding Cake

If you enjoy the warmth of gold but want to skip the glitz, a simple gold cake might be for you. This type of cake can be entirely covered in edible gold flakes, coated in white frosting and rimmed with gold flakes, or made to look as though gold is flowing down the side of the white surface. Some couples also enjoy adorning it with one or two full white flowers.

11. Glitz and Glam Wedding Cake

Go for glam by having your cake covered in thoughtfully placed edible sequins. This sequined wedding cake is spot-on for a vintage, Gatsby-themed, or winter wedding. While you can have the sequins done in any color, they’re often gold or silver.

12. Traditional Tiered Wedding Cake

One of the most popular wedding cake options, a tiered cake provides plenty of space for stunning visuals. It allows couples to select a different cake flavor for each tier and facilitates the tradition of saving the top tier to be frozen and eaten on the couple’s one-year anniversary.

13. Romantic Sugar Flowers Wedding Cake

A spot-on choice for a romantic or classic wedding, a cake embellished with sugar flowers creates a fairytale-like aesthetic that is sure to impress your guests. The skill required to craft these sugar flowers is so advanced, your cake could easily be considered a work of art.

14. Fresh Flowers and Greenery Wedding Cake

Tie-in your wedding cake with the rest of your big day by having the same flowers and greenery used for your bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony arch artfully arranged on your cake. This simple addition quickly elevates a plain tiered cake.

15. Cozy Winter Wedding Cake

Ensure your cake exudes the coziness, joy, and crispness of winter by having it embellished with winter favorites such as pinecones, cinnamon sticks, sugar-coated cranberries, pine sprigs, and anything else that makes you think of this jolly season.

16. Wedding Cake Coordinated with Your Wedding Colors

If you carefully crafted the color palette for your wedding day, this cake will be an easy win. It allows you to utilize your customized palate with marbled buttercream, flowers, and other adornments that are your color of choice.

17. Wedding Cake for a Themed Wedding

Whatever your wedding theme — math, sci-fi, Harry Potter, superheroes, Alice in Wonderland — rest assured there’s a cake for it. Most bakers adore the creative challenge of working with you to design a unique cake that perfectly emulates what you love about your theme.

18. Blackberry Wedding Cake

Couples with a dual passion for blackberries and drama will appreciate the taste and visual impact of a blackberry cake. While the cake is obviously blackberry-flavored, the exterior is trimmed in pieces of blackberries still on the vine — vines known for their beautifully vicious thorns. Some couples like to pair the blackberries with eucalyptus leaves or soften the aesthetic with white roses.

19. Refreshing Wedding Cake for a Spring Wedding

Spring is known for renewal, pastel colors, and blossoming flowers — a blend of elements many couples want for their spring wedding cake. This desire is easily met with buttercream icing dyed in a popular spring color (i.e. baby blue), a topping composed of seasonal flowers such as peonies, violets, daffodils, lilacs, or tulips, and a delicate rim of pearls.

20. Creative Fondant Icing Wedding Cake

For a truly one-of-a-kind cake, have your baker go to town with fondant icing which is sturdy and versatile. This icing type is easy to tint, incredibly photogenic, simple to transport on a cake stand, and provides a glamorous finish.

The post 20 Unique Wedding Cake Ideas for 2021 appeared first on Joy.

“The average cost of catering for a wedding with a guest list of 100 usually ranges between $8,500 – $10,000.“

One of the most important factors in your overall wedding budget is the cost of the food. Not only is catering a big piece of your wedding budget (if not the biggest), it’s also one of the most enjoyed parts of the reception for your guests. So, how much exactly does wedding food cost in this day and age? And, most importantly, how do you stay on budget?

Let’s go over all of the ins and outs of wedding catering. This includes your options for serving the meal and everything you need to know about factoring in the costs of alcohol, dessert, and even what linens and table items you’re going to need at the wedding reception.

Average Cost of Wedding Catering

Before diving into the specifics of your wedding catering budget, you might want to know about overall catering costs. First off, how much you spend on your wedding catering completely depends on the number of guests you have, the type of meal you’re serving, and the location of your wedding.

That said, the average cost of catering for a wedding with a guest list of 100 usually ranges between $8,500 – $10,000, according to Jessica McTaggart of Pink Champagne Events in Denver, Colorado. Although, if you’re looking for something like you might see in certain popular wedding magazines, you can expect to pay closer to the $20,000 mark, notes Meggie Francisco of Meggie Francisco Events.

Choosing a Wedding Caterer

Selecting a wedding caterer is one of the most exciting (and delicious) parts of wedding planning, and the professional you choose can potentially make a big difference in how much you spend for the big day.

When you’re trying to determine who to hire for the job, make an appointment with the top two or three caterers you’ve found in your research. Then, set up a time to discuss the type of wedding food you want, how you’d like it served, and (best of all) do a taste test of the food.

During the meeting, try to get a sense of the type of wedding food they specialize in (and whether it aligns with the kind of food you want) and understand their price ranges.

Typically, a caterer will make up their budgets on a “per head” basis, or what it will cost you to feed each guest at your wedding. According to Sarah Carroll of Small Shindigs, the average cost for wedding catering per head ranges from $50-$150, depending on the factors below.

Cost Factors for Wedding Catering

You know that the food for your wedding can be expensive, but what exactly determines the cost? Here are five components to account for when budgeting for your wedding catering.

1. Your Guest List

There are a lot of factors that go into the price of wedding catering, but the biggest variable is your guest list. Simply put, the bigger your guest list, the bigger your catering budget.

Although there are ways to cut costs if you have a large guest list (serving brunch instead of dinner or serving appetizers in a buffet-style instead of a plated dinner with several courses), it’s ultimately going to be more expensive than if you cut down the guest list.

2. Your Wedding Venue

Another cost factor for wedding catering can be your particular wedding venue. Some wedding venues either have restrictions on hiring an outside caterer or have preferred vendors that they will only choose to work with. This could, of course, be more expensive than another caterer you were wanting to hire.

Before you sign a contract with your wedding venue, be sure to look it over closely for any restrictions on hiring outside vendors and if they charge any extra fees if you don’t work with an in-house caterer.

3. The Food Service Options You Choose

In addition to the number of people you invite to your wedding and any restrictions your wedding venue imposes on events, the food service options you choose have a big effect on the overall cost of your wedding catering.

Here’s a list of food service options, what they mean, and the average costs for each of them, according to Carroll:

• Plated meals: This means that when guests sit down at their tables, wait staff brings them their meals in courses. Though the costs for this type of service can vary depending on the number of waiters you have and the kind of food you serve, the average cost for plated meal catering is about $100-$200 per person.

• Family-style catering: More relaxed than plated meals, family-style catering is when the wait staff delivers meals to each individual reception table, but the guests serve themselves. The cost of family-style catering can run you anywhere from $120-$150 per person.

• Buffet-style meal: When you serve buffet-style, your guests will line up and serve their own food and take it back to their tables. A buffet-style meal will cost you, on average, about $50-$100 per person.

• Food stations: A food station-type reception is when guests can walk around and stand in line to get various types of foods at different stations (such as a carving station, macaroni and cheese station, and dessert station). While the cost will largely depend on the kind of food stations you have, it will likely be in the $50-$75 per person range.

• Hors d’oeuvres: A couple can either choose to serve hors d’oeuvres before the main entrees of the evening or as the entire food event. (Think heavier appetizers like fried chicken, egg rolls, vegetable or cheese trays, etc.) Should you serve hors d’oeuvres by themselves or with a meal, you can expect to pay $60-$85 per person.

• Cocktail hour: Before the main meal during the reception, many couples choose to invite their guests to a cocktail hour. This includes drinks and appetizers and is typically hosted in a space before they get to the reception. The cost will depend on how many bartenders you have (The more you have, the more expensive it is.), how many appetizers you serve, and whether or not you have an open bar vs. a signature drink (A signature drink can cut costs.). On average, you can expect to pay around $35 per person for a cocktail hour.

• Brunch: Serving brunch instead of dinner can cut your costs down significantly since breakfast foods are more easily scalable and typically cheaper.

4. Budgeting for Alcohol

Another part of the catering cost is alcohol. If you plan on serving alcohol at your reception, you can expect to spend quite a pretty penny — especially if you are having an open bar option.

• Open bar: An open bar means guests will have every drink paid for that they order. This can get pretty costly, running couples $50 per person, according to Carroll.

• Full bar: A full bar, on the other hand, is when couples have a wide range of spirits, beers, and wines for guests to drink — but not an unlimited amount. Budgeting for a full bar can be tricky as it can be difficult to know how much each guest will consume. Check out this infographic to help you determine how much to spend based on your specific guest list.

5. Paying for Dessert

Everyone likes to cap the evening off with a little slice of wedding cake, but how much is this going to set you back?

The average cost of a wedding cake, according to Carroll, is $7 per slice. So, if you have 100 guests at your wedding, you can estimate a $700 cake. But don’t forget about any extra fees that your venue or caterer may have, such as a cake cutting or cake serving fee, which could be as much as $1-$2 per guest.

6. Glassware, Flatware, and Linens

You can’t exactly serve any food on your wedding day if you don’t have reception accessories such as glassware, flatware, and linens. While many caterers and venues will have these prices factored in with the overall cost per head, it’s worth asking if there are any extra fees for these items.

7. Don’t Forget Gratuity

Finally, when you’re configuring wedding catering costs, don’t forget about the cost of gratuity for a job well done. Catering is a tough business and weddings are one of the busiest, most stressful events caterers handle in their jobs. Gratuity is often included in the cost of catering. But if it’s not, then you should budget for 15-20% of the bill for the chefs and 10% of the liquor bill for the bartenders.

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The post How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost? appeared first on Joy.

Seattle also embraces adventure and the sentiment that all great challenges are met with even greater rewards. From a scenic view after a long hike to an incredible wedding day meal after a lengthy catering search, Seattle has much to be desired especially when it comes to weddings and food.

In fact, the ‘Emerald City’ is home to a plethora of culinary options where the only thing needed to decide your menu is your own palate and inspiration. Read on to discover five of the most popular wedding catering in the Seattle area that will be sure to complement your big day.

1. On Safari Foods

With over 25 years of experience in the catering industry, On Safari Foods specializes in creating sustainable food that utilizes locally-sourced ingredients, proving this catering company is worthy of its many accolades.

On Safari Foods delivers on its clients’ exact culinary vision and takes the time to craft a customized menu specific to their wedding theme and needs.

With menus varying from flavors of the Pacific Northwest, summertime BBQ, and Italian feasts, including vegan, vegetarian, and paleo options for guests with diet restrictions, one thing stands out: The catering team has accumulated dishes and flavors from all around the world—and it’s done so in a way that is as friendly on the environment as it is on your tongue.

Typical Cost: Inquire here 

Food Genres: American, Asian, BBQ, British, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Kosher, Latin American, Local, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Paleo, Russian, Seafood, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vietnamese

Find On Safari Foods on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

2. Act 3 Catering

For weddings in the Greater Seattle and Tacoma area, Act 3 Catering offers engaged couples a variety of delicious food options. From buffet- or family-style meals for larger gatherings to plated dinners for more intimate occasions, this catering company has you covered.

Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years, Act 3 Catering hopes to create enduring memories for your wedding reception with top-notch service and menus that are as aesthetically divine as they are delicious.

Whether you offer your guests a sophisticated hors d’oeuvres selection (think succulent sliders or savory skewers), or a larger, more Northwest specialty package that includes fresh seafood, this full-service catering team will make your menu as special as the wedding itself.

Typical Cost: Average catering price per person: $18 – $43 for a buffet- or family-style dinner; $45 for a multiple-course plated dinner

Food Genres: American, Asian, BBQ, British, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Local, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Russian, Seafood, Seasonal, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Find Act 3 Catering on Facebook and Twitter.

3. Herban Feast Catering and Events

Specializing in seasonal-themed catering services, Herban Feast is a full-service team that promises delicious flavors and amazing memories. One unique feature to Herban Feast’s catering menus is its moveable feasts which enable couples to combine various flavors and cultures to create a personalized menu for their Seattle wedding.

While this catering company works exclusively with a shortlist of Seattle wedding venues, it is happy to bring its culinary expertise to your special event at many locations in Washington State, providing you and your guests with flavors from Southeast Asia to South of the Border and all the way to Pike Place Market in Seattle itself.

Herban Feast’s exceptional bar service team will also help you craft the perfect cocktail that captures the spirit of your event, ensuring your dream wedding is met from the first sip at cocktail hour to the final bite at dinner.

Typical Cost: Average catering cost per person for a fall or winter meal: $30 – $47 for a buffet- or family-style themed dinner; $33 – $53 for a plated dinner 

Food Genres: American, Asian, BBQ, British, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Local, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Russian, Seafood, Seasonal, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Find Herban Feast on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.   

4. A Grand Affaire Catering

Whether your wedding event is in Snohomish, Tacoma, or Chehalis, consider A Grand Affaire Catering as your wedding caterer. With over two decades of experience, the team will work with your budget to ensure that your special day, and all the joy that comes with it, isn’t compromised by overwhelming prices.

From grilled pacific rockfish and herb-marinated flank steak in the winter to rosemary and garlic rubbed lamb in the summer, A Grand Affaire Catering aims to meet all of your culinary needs, starting from savory appetizers to evening sweets.

This catering team believes in savoring the moment. If you can dream it, they can theme it, giving you and your love the power to be the maestro of your own symphony of flavors.

Typical Cost: Inquire here 

Food Genres: Open-ended with a particular focus on Asian, Caribbean, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Russian, and Southern American cuisine

Find A Grand Affaire Catering on Facebook.

5. Los Agaves Catering 

Serving up a different flair from the above caterers, Los Agaves specializes in authentic Mexican street food combining the flavors of the Pacific Northwest and old family recipes.

From self-service buffets to table service banquets, Los Agaves offers a margarita/sangria bar, Mediterranean-themed menu, and taco bar, offering a variety of proteins and fresh ingredients to meet your dietary needs and palette.

If you want to take your guests South of the Border, there is no better way than by booking Los Agaves as your wedding caterer. Food often creates an atmosphere, guaranteeing that your formal reception will transform into a fun fiesta for all.

Typical Cost: Average catering price per person: $16 for buffet-style taco bar; $18 for margarita/sangria/mojito La Cantina bar service

Food Genres: Mexican

Find Los Agaves on Facebook and Instagram.           

The post Top 5 Wedding Catering Options in Seattle appeared first on Joy.

Over the last decade, social media has played a major role in evolving the wedding catering landscape. Now, more than ever before, couples are treating wedding receptions as an informal experience. Out with generic salmon dishes, and in with clever takes on tradition.

Which wedding catering trends will we see more and more newlyweds indulge in throughout the next decade? Casey O’Brien, Director of Events at premier caterer 23 City Blocks, shares a glimpse at six catering trends that will be everywhere in 2020 — and a 2010s favorite that is getting phased out.

1. Stations

This was one of the biggest trends in wedding catering in 2019 — and it will keep moving well into 2020. Everything you could nibble or sip on receives its own station during a wedding reception, from desserts to cocktails.

“Stations get the most action at night,” O’Brien says. “Our culinary team is on the floor making food in the evening. We recently built a woodfire pizza grill on a farm. We tossed the dough and cooked the pizza right there and pulled it out, showcasing that clever, experimental element at play.”

One of the biggest reasons why stations are popular is because of their interactiveness. In addition to watching chefs make the meal in real-time, this is the couples’ chance to serve customized drinks and bites that pay homage to their relationship. Stations are incredibly Instagram-friendly, too.

“The more interactive the station, the more guests will remember how the wedding event made them feel,” O’Brien adds.

2. Stackable Cakes

Cakes actually phased out for a little while during the 2010s. O’Brien says this was because many couples, and wedding guests, admitted that they didn’t really like a traditional cake.

In lieu of a traditional wedding cake where everyone gets a slice, wedding caterers made room for dessert stations instead. A smaller cake was designated for the couple to cut together.

While dessert stations are still quite popular, cakes are slowly making a comeback. In particular, stackable cakes are all the rage since there are a lot of ways you can make these cakes clever. When in doubt, take a cue from these delicious dessert examples:

• Stacks of pancakes and/or waffles. Add butter between the layers. Pour on the syrup before cutting the cake.
• Cookie cakes using chocolate chip cookies.
• Stackable cheesecake. This is a treat 23 City Blocks recently completed for a client. “There were four to five different types of cheese ‘stacked’ in,” O’Brien says. “We cut it and made a grazing station with jams and fruits.”

3. Grazing Boards

Traditional hors d’oeuvres, those little bite-sized nibbles passed around trays, are fading fast. However, nobody has grown bored with the grazing board. Grazing boards are now a decor focal point, and many feature informal, yet stylish, foods like charcuterie spreads.

“People love grazing boards because they are so casual,” O’Brien says. “You get to pick and choose what you want to eat.”

4. Craft Cocktails

Out with the craft beer, and in with craft cocktails. One of the biggest reasons why catering trends are shifting from beer to cocktails is because couples want to weave their story throughout the entire evening.

This story can be woven in the meals served and the cocktails mixed. It pays homage to their hometown roots and connection together. Plus, couples get the chance to give the cocktails special names that serve as a further tribute to their relationship.

5. Decor Cakes

Stackable cakes aren’t the only wedding catering staple on the rise. According to O’Brien, smaller cakes are now being used as decor.

Small cakes are placed on guest tables during receptions. It’s a growing decision couples are making during their weddings and one that serves as a conversation piece to get guests talking.

6. Late-Night Snacks

Love Jack in the Box and White Castle? Your favorite late night eats are now making appearances at wedding receptions! O’Brien says fast food at night is the biggest rising trend in snack requests at weddings.

And in case you were wondering: The most popular fast food for caterers to recreate at wedding receptions are Taco Bell menu items.

What’s Getting Phased Out?

With grazing boards and stations all the rage, we’re saying so long, farewell to the once-popular bar. You know the kind. Mashed potato bars and mac n’ cheese bars where you could scoop up your eats, potluck style, on a plate.

As for those Instagrammable doughnut walls? Get ready to say goodbye in 2020. “I really hope doughnut walls go away,” O’Brien says. “People consistently see it on social media. The trend is to be more customized. As such, I hope people won’t want to do doughnuts as much since it’s so overplayed.”

The post 6 Wedding Catering Trends You’ll See in 2020 appeared first on Joy.

Eating cake is undoubtedly one of the highlights of your wedding, and having a beautifully decorated dessert table will entice your guests to sample all of the goodies.

Need some help with how to prepare your dreamy dessert display at your reception? Here are eight ways to show off those sweet treats and dazzle your guests all at once.

1. Traditional Wedding Cake

Whether you’re hosting a rustic wedding or going with more of a boho-chic vibe, a traditional wedding cake always has its place no matter what kind of theme or wedding colors you choose.

But just because it’s a traditional cake doesn’t mean it has to look boring. Here are some ideas to make it stand out:

• Place your traditional white cake on top of colorful or highly embellished cake stands that will match the rest of your decor.
• For a more rustic look, put your cake on top of a natural (or faux) wood slice and surround it with greenery such as sage, eucalyptus, monstera leaves, or even wintry evergreens if you’re having a winter wedding.
• Split the tiers up into individual cakes for an unexpectedly chic way to show off a traditional white cake at your dessert bar. You could also have a tier of cake as centerpieces on each table, giving your guests the opportunity to cut their own slices.

2. Nontraditional Wedding Cake

When it comes to designing your own nontraditional wedding cake, all that’s required is that it’s edible and can be sliced into several pieces, which means that only your creativity is your limit.

Here are some examples of a nontraditional wedding cake that are sure to please a crowd:

• Top a tiered pancake cake with loads of maple syrup for a breakfast-themed wedding reception.
• Bake an assortment of wedding pies (a particularly cozy theme if your wedding is hosted in the fall or winter months).
• Have an obsession with cereal? Make a cake entirely out of Rice Krispy treats.
• Don’t have a sweet tooth? Many couples with an affinity for cheese and charcuterie boards are making entire wedding cakes out of different types of cheese.

3. Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a great way to add a dash of color to your dessert table. Best of all, they are completely versatile and decorated with a nearly unlimited mix of ingredients (candies, fruits, sprinkles, decorative frosting, or even truffles) so they are endlessly customizable.

Thinking about having cupcakes at your wedding dessert table? Here are some ideas to make your cupcake display truly unique:

• Use edible gold leaf to give your cupcakes an extra bit of sparkle on top.
• Have your wedding caterer bake your cupcakes into lacy or other decorative paper to make them feel more festive and fancier than plain old paper.
• Add caramel sugar cages on top which add flavor and style to your basic little cupcake.

4. Donuts

Donuts are having a moment in wedding receptions—and who can really disagree with their presence? They’re sugary, sweet, simple, and sure to be a big hit with your guests. Donuts, like cupcakes, are also endlessly customizable. And because of their circular shape and hole, it’s easy to find fun ways to display them on the dessert table.

Need to find some donut inspiration? Here are a few creative ways to implement donuts into your dessert table (Bonus: These will look fantastic in your wedding photos.):

• Have a wall of donuts that are displayed neatly in rows on shelves, complete with banners or signs that indicate the flavor of each donut.
• Hang them up on a pegboard and have your guests slide off their chosen donut.
• Arrange your donuts on a stand with a series of S-hooks so guests can unhook their favorite ones.

5. Macarons

Whether you feel like France is your second home or you just consider yourself a Francophile, macarons are the daintiest, prettiest dessert that’s becoming a trending fixture at wedding dessert tables. French macarons are bite-sized and light, coming in a variety of flavors and colors that can easily fit your wedding theme.

Thinking about incorporating this little French delicacy into your big day? Here are some of our favorite ways to use macarons at the dessert table:

• Use a small box of macarons as wedding favors. Display the boxes at the end of the dessert table for your guests to take home at the end of the evening.
• Arrange your macarons in the shape of a wedding cake and serve appropriately with French champagne while you toast to your new marriage.
• Have a rainbow of macarons that will not only give you a colorful arrangement but plenty of flavor options, too.

6. Candy Bar

The only bad part about the dessert table is that it’s not portable—unless, of course, you encourage your guests to take it home or back to their hotel rooms. The candy bar has been a popular fixture at weddings for some time now, and for good reason: It’s inexpensive, colorful, and easy to put together.

Here are some ideas for a successful candy bar at your dessert table:

• Have a creative mix of candies and treats. Everyone can have colorful M&Ms at their wedding, so think outside of the box and provide things like vintage candies, cake pops, or a hometown favorite.
• Go monochromatic with the candy you’re offering for a particularly stunning display.
• Use various heights in the bowls or containers you store your candy in to create visual interest.
• Don’t forget to provide a spoon or tongs for each type of candy just in case someone has allergies to gluten or chocolate.

7. S’mores

There are few creative wedding ideas that compete with a s’mores station at your dessert table. A s’mores station will work year-round and can be cozy in the fall or winter, or it can be an entertaining boost to a spring or summer wedding.

To have your s’mores station go off without a hitch, be sure to do the following:

• Provide multiple marshmallow flavors such as lemon, chocolate, or cherry.
• Have a few areas where guests can fire up their marshmallows so there’s no bottleneck.
• Have kits with everything your guests will need for their s’mores instead of having them wait in line to assemble.

8. Ice Cream

If you’re having a summer wedding, there’s no better dessert to offer relief from the heat than ice cream. Give your guests an unexpected treat by serving ice cream at the reception.

Here are some ways to pull off your ice cream party:

• Hire an ice cream truck to deliver the sweet treat at the end of the night. It will surely be a big hit for guests who have been sweating on the dance floor all evening.
• Make a DIY sundae bar complete with all of the toppings and fixings.
• Serve an ice cream cake instead of a traditional wedding cake—just be sure you have somewhere cool to store and serve it.

The post 8 Delicious Wedding Dessert Table Ideas appeared first on Joy.

It’s numerous, with various menu options depending on your budget, preferences, timeline, and wedding theme and feel. So to save you precious time researching the hundreds of full-service catering options out there, we’ve scoured them for you.

Here’s our roundup of the top 5 wedding caterers in San Diego to help you ensure your wedding day is not only joyful and memorable but delicious and affordable, too.

1. Bekker’s Catering

With almost 50 years of industry experience, Bekker’s Catering is considered one of the best and most reliable caterers in San Diego County, according to the Union Tribune Reader’s Poll and the San Diego Regional Chamber.

To help you streamline your wedding catering planning, it offers popular, complete wedding packages—that suit a range of budgets, guest counts, and food preferences—such as A Day to Remember, Elegant by Design, Happily Ever After, South of the Border, The Knot, Always and Forever, Creating Memories, Country Faire, Wedding on a Budget, Traditional Faire, On A Shoestring. Most of these packages include appetizers, dinner, and other essential services and all of which can be customized for your special event.

Whether you’re planning to have a small, medium, or large wedding, no worries on if Bekker’s Catering can accommodate (Fun fact: This is a catering company that can feed up to 10,000 guests!).

Additionally, San Diego is the second-largest city in California, so whether you want your wedding to be at the beach in North County or at an indoor venue in South Bay, lucky for you, Bekker Catering can travel any distance within San Diego County. This way, you can truly live out your dream wedding catering—without pesky, geographical limitations.

Typical Cost: Approximate prices include $40/per person for plated dinner; $15/per person for buffet service; $20/per person for stations; $5/per person for hors d’oeuvres. Prices are based on group size, so inquire here for further information; additionally, there is a minimum of 40 guests for full catering service plus a 20% equipment and labor charge

Food Genres: American, Asian, French, German, Greek, Hawaiian, Irish, Italian, Jamaican, Mexican, Spanish, and more

Find Bekker’s Catering on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Eco Caters

For couples who are environment advocates and committed to supporting sustainable, organic agriculture, look no further than Eco Caters for your wedding fare.

As Green Caterer-Certified and a Fair Farms Partner, this San Diego, Los Angeles, and Washington DC catering company is also a District Sustainability Award winner that supports farmers who follow sustainable food practices. With 10 years of experience in the catering industry, Eco Caters has catered over 500 weddings sustainably and responsibly.

Whether or not you have a specific food genre or theme in mind for your big day, Eco Caters can whip up anything your heart (or palette) desires. From an heirloom tomato sprinkled with basil oil, salt, and pepper and an arugula salad with peaches and nectarines to grass-fed beef sliders with smoked cheddar and caramelized onion and a poached pear tart, all ingredients are fresh, seasonal, certified organic, and sustainably-sourced.

That way, you and your guests can not only enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and quality food but can feel good about them, too. No wonder it’s one of the best catering companies in San Diego.

Typical Cost: Approximate prices include $42/per person for plated dinner; $37/per person for buffet service; $36/per person for stations; $31/per person for hors d’oeuvres. Inquire here for up-to-date prices

Food Genres: African, American, Asian, British, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, Ethiopian, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Local, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Russian, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Follow Eco Caters on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

3. All Aspects Catering and Events

Voted a Top Pro by Thumbtack in 2017, All Aspects Catering and Events offers complete wedding catering packages to simplify and streamline each part of your culinary offerings, from fresh hors h’oeuvres and appetizers to satisfying dinner and beverages.

Though its wedding packages—First Comes Love, Happily Ever After, Tie The Knot, Wedded Bliss, Bacia La Sposa, A Fiesta To Remember, To Have And To Hold—include unique flavor and menu combinations that are sure to wow and impress your guests, All Aspects Catering and Events can be flexible and accommodate your specific catering vision, as well.

The chefs at this San Diego catering company take great pride in sourcing only high-quality ingredients and products from farmer’s markets so that your wedding fare is as beautifully presented as it is delicious.

From fresh dinner options such as grilled salmon, flavor-infused chicken, prime rib, and marinated tri-tip to complementary side dishes such as mashed potato bars, seasoned grilled vegetables, and summer salads, your catering experiences are limitless.

Typical Cost: Inquire here

Food Genres: American, BBQ, Chinese, Fusion, Greek, Hawaiian, Italian, Latin American, Mexican, Southern, Specialty

Follow All Aspects Catering and Events on Facebook.

4. Abbey Catering and Event Design Company

In business for 22 years, and designed to meet any couple’s catering budget, Abbey Catering and Event Design Company offers full-service, gourmet catering and inclusive wedding packages.

As an award-winning catering company that’s been on the San Diego A-List (not to mention 5-star reviews on Yelp), it offers affordable gourmet menus which can be custom-tailored to meet your vision, requirements, and budget for your wedding reception.

From tray-passed appetizers such as the Spicy Soyrizo-Chevre Quesadilla to the dual entrée main courses such as the Salmon En Croûte, Abbey Catering and Event Design Company is committed to sustainability, providing local, organic catering so all ingredients are fresh and all catering supplies and accessories are kind to Mother Earth.

In fact, in 2014, it even began AbbeyFarms, a local, organic farm based in the city of San Diego, which allows this catering company to source and grow its own food. Wins all around for your special day.

Typical Cost: Approximate prices include $80/per person for plated dinner; $77/per person for buffet service; $80/per person for stations; $50/per person for hors d’oeuvres. Inquire here for up-to-date prices

Food Genres: American, Asian, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Seafood, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Follow Abbey Catering and Event Design Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

5. Wild Thyme Company

Whether you’re looking for tableside or self-service, chef-inspired dishes, or mobile, buffet-style feasts designed for grazing for your San Diego wedding, Wild Thyme Company offers up signature and custom menus—especially if you’re hoping to get a little creative.

Think personal touch dining with grilled lamb chop lollipops, grilled beef medallions, mini chicken and waffles, and strawberry burrata crostinis that’ll probably wow the guests at your wedding (and make them salivate). This event catering company believes in creating innovative, one-of-a-kind culinary experiences that push the envelope.

But even if you’re just after classic dishes (or vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free cuisine for that matter) for the most important day of your life, the chefs at Wild Thyme Company are more than happy to accommodate with food service that’s fresh, delicious, and sustainable—so that your culinary celebration goes off without a hitch and is memorable for many decades to come.

Typical Cost: Approximate prices include $95/per person for plated dinner; $80/per person for buffet service; $90/per person for stations; $45/per person for hors d’oeuvres. Inquire here for up-to-date prices

Food Genres: African, American, Asian, British, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, Ethiopian, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Local, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Follow Wild Thyme Company on Facebook and Instagram.

The post Top 5 Wedding Caterers in San Diego appeared first on Joy.

1. Pearl Catering

Established in 2003 and located in Portland’s attractive Pearl District, Pearl Catering is a full-service caterer that offers a variety of specialized menus, bar services, and rental coordination. Whether you choose the Southern Hospitality menu for an early morning breakfast buffet or one of the delectable protein-plated dinners, Pearl Catering is sure to provide you and your guests with meal options that suit your wedding needs.

Specializing in themed menus, this caterer is suitable for both a buffet-style dinner as well as a more formal-plated meal if you’re into a little fancy—plus, there are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options that’ll take you from the shores of the California coast to Little Italy. But if it’s a quintessential Portland experience that you and your significant other crave, then consider Pearl Catering’s Food Truck, a more casual event catering experience that provides exciting BBQ and Southwest options for your wedding.

Typical Cost: Average catering price per person: $40 for plated service; $29 for buffet service; $13 for stations; $10 for hors d’oeuvres

Food Genres: American, Asian, BBQ, British, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Local, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Russian, Seafood, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Find Pearl Catering on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

2. Crave Catering

While Portland is home to multiple farm-to-table wedding caterers, it’s clear that nobody does sustainable, full-service catering quite like Crave Catering. Ingredients are sourced from its very own family farm to ensure that your wedding day is filled with fresh, local charm. While its primary focus is on tailoring your special day to meet your vision, it also offers a wide variety of menu items that’ll keep your guests talking long after the meal is over.

The seasonal food catering packages are unique to Crave Catering, as each highlights the Pacific Northwest flavors of the season, from a hazelnut-crusted chicken dinner in the brisk autumn to a cedar plank salmon in the warm summer. This caterer is an ideal option if you and your darling have a favorite time of year. But for something more traditional, Crave Catering also offers a number of familiar menu options such as a Hawaiian BBQ and a street taco display. No wonder it’s one of the best wedding caterers in Portland, Oregon.

Typical Cost: $39.99/per person for buffet dinner; $49.99/per person for family-style dinner; $54.99/per person for plated dinner

Food Genres: American, Asian, BBQ, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Latin American, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Find Crave Catering on Facebook and Twitter.

3. Mississippi Delta BBQ

Bringing the flavors of Southern cuisine to the Pacific Northwest is Mississippi Delta BBQ, a Portland catering company that has specialized in traditional BBQ fare since its opening in 2004. Capable of feeding up to 2,000 guests, it offers a wide variety of delicious food that’s sure to please such as pork ribs, beef brisket, chicken on a stick, a variety of sausages, and even a whole natural pig, all served straight from the smoker and grill. Meanwhile, popular side dishes include potato salad, sweet potato purée, smoked corn on the cob, and deviled eggs.

Utilizing fresh ingredients with plenty of gluten-free options, Mississippi Delta BBQ is committed to providing genuine Southern cuisine for your wedding day. Served up with a slice of Southern hospitality, this BBQ spread will surely blow up your Instagram account with its succulent mishmash of meats and sides.

Typical Cost: Inquire here

Food Genres: Southern

Find Mississippi Delta BBQ on Facebook.

4. White Pepper

A full-service caterer that strives to create real experiences with real food, White Pepper works with local farms to provide specialized menus that feature local and seasonal ingredients, making it one of the top wedding caterers in Portland, Oregon. Located off Northeast Glisan Street, this catering company can set up for wedding events of any size, offering packages that vary from plated meal service, family-style meal service, full bar service, onsite cooking, and so much more.

The Tasting Room, which is unique to White Pepper, is where you, your honey, and up to 26 guests can share an intimate experience as you sample possible menu options for your special event. This experience offers a variety of custom or house menu options including braised beef, panna cotta, and cedar-smoked salmon. For a more casual option, it does offer several food displays that are locally sourced and reflect the season, which is recommended for a group of 40 or larger. With so many opportunities to create your ideal wedding meal, White Pepper willingly caters to your taste, style, and budget.

Typical Cost: Full-service events range between $60 and $150/per person; family-style meals, plated meals, and casual buffet meals can range between $25 and $35/per person

Food Genres: American, though you should also inquire within for more details
Find White Pepper on Facebook and Instagram.

5. ChefStable Catering

Spanning hors d’oeuvres, plated dinners, and family-style meals, ChefStable Catering specializes in creating unique menus that include popular dishes from iconic Portland restaurants, including recipes from chefs at Lardo, Grassa, St. Jack, and Salt & Straw. For an informal affair, the short rib croquetas, chimichurri chicken skewers, and crabcakes make for ideal small plate and appetizer options. But if you and your partner are planning a larger gathering, consider some of the summer options for a family-style dinner such as grilled and roasted leg of lamb, flat iron steak with smoky tomato butter, and pan-roasted salmon.

Willing to collaborate with couples to create custom meal options, ChefStable offers an alternative to the familiar flavors of a classic wedding reception, right down to the desert. In fact, you can have Portland’s famous Salt & Straw ice-cream as an alternative to a wedding cake, with flavor offerings such as pear & blue cheese, honey lavender, and cinnamon snickerdoodle.

Typical Cost: Inquire here

Food Genres: American, Asian, Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Mediterranean, Mexican, Sandwiches, Southern, Southwestern, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Find ChefStable Catering on Instagram.

James Kenneth Presley is a writer, content creator, and storyteller whose work has spanned a collection of diverse outlets, including both film and weddings. An aspiring novelist and the author of his first epic go-round, titled My Dreams Belong To Dad, James firmly believes in the power of storytelling and embraces the challenge of creating something from scratch. A Portland native and graduate of Portland State University, James finds bliss when developing recipes in the kitchen, joy when he’s sitting in front of a movie theatre screen, and peace of mind when listening to an Amy Grant Christmas song with a cup of warm coffee.

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