Your East Anglian Wedding - December/January 2025/2026 (Issue 76)

inside a molten cheese wheel is a dream for carb lovers. For the more adventurous, fire-based cooking experiences are making a big impression. Picture chefs cooking over open flames, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas and creating an immersive, unforgettable moment. Bars, cocktails, and all things poured We can’t talk about catering without diving into drinks! There are countless ways to showcase your personal taste and impress your guests. Why not offer “His and Her” cocktails – two signature drinks that add a fun, personalised touch to the day? Or consider a DIY margarita station complete with salt rims, a variety of fruit syrups, and fresh garnishes. Incorporating seasonal flavours is another way to elevate your drink menu. Think delicate floral notes in spring, bright and fruity blends in summer, warming spices in autumn, and rich, comforting flavours for winter. Many couples are also exploring unique drink experiences to wow their guests. Whiskey-tasting flights paired with curated food bites, mimosa walls, and pour-your-own Prosecco bars are hugely popular. And who can resist a glamorous Champagne tower? Dessert reinvented Wedding cakes remain iconic showstoppers, but today’s couples are taking a more creative, personalised approach. Traditional tiered cakes are still loved, but we’re seeing a growing trend toward mini cakes served per table, each in different flavours, offering both variety and charm. Deconstructed cakes and elaborate dessert tables are also on the rise, brimming with an assortment of sweet treats –think brownies, blondies, cookies, cupcakes, macarons, cake pops and éclairs. For ice cream lovers, why not bring in an ice cream bike serving a range of flavours? Or take it up a notch with a rolled ice cream station, where a cream base is poured onto an ice-cold slab, mixed with toppings of your choice, then rolled fresh for an interactive experience both kids and adults will love. Other playful additions include doughnut walls, s’mores bars, waffle stations, chocolate fountains, and towering stacks of cookies – each adding a whimsical, delicious touch to the celebration. Not a fan of sweets? No problem. Swap the sugar for a show-stopping cheese cake – literally! Stack wheels of your favourite cheeses into a tiered “cake” and surround it with fruits, chutneys, and artisan crackers for a beautiful savoury centrepiece. Weddings beyond one day As wedding weekends grow in popularity, catering is no longer limited to the big day itself; it can stretch across multiple events. Start the festivities with a welcome party – perhaps a lively taco-and-tequila garden gathering to set a fun, casual tone. For the evening, consider a mezze board and wine tasting experience or a cosy family-style pasta night. After the wedding, once guests have had a good night’s rest, treat them to a relaxed farewell brunch with fresh fruit, fluffy pancakes, pastries, and a selection of hot dishes. These extra moments not only keep everyone well-fed, they also help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where loved ones can unwind. Small but mighty On the other end of the spectrum, micro weddings are rising in popularity, with couples channelling their budgets into elevated, over-thetop catering experiences. With a more intimate guest list, chefs can craft bespoke, meticulously planned menus. Fewer plates mean more attention to detail. Expect dishes adorned with gold leaf, handbrushed sauces, and delicate edible flowers. Think special touches like edible perfume spritzes infused with vanilla bean and rose, or aromatic elements such as peach basil or Earl Grey smoke to enhance desserts and cocktails. Every course becomes a moment of edible art, thoughtfully composed to tell a story – making the dining experience as memorable as the ceremony itself. Multi-course fine dining with wine or cocktail pairings turns dinner into a curated journey for guests. The bottom line As the day winds down, what guests will remember, beyond the vows and the dancing, are the unforgettable flavours and the care you put into every bite. Whether your wedding is grand or intimate, traditional or wildly creative, the food has the power to leave a lasting impression. Focus on what truly reflects you as a couple, and partner with experts who can bring your vision to life with passion and precision. Go bold and be intentional. And above all, create something that’s unapologetically yours. unsplash.com/@tuncerdogu unsplash.com/@nmwbrands 48

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