Essence of Events, LLC

Wedding food used to just be limited to beef, chicken, or if you were lucky, a fish option. Then there was a champagne toast with a boring white cake to follow. Fortunately in the past few years, couples have become infinitely more creative and have started incorporating not only more delicious food options onto their menus, but foods from their cultures, and those from around the world. Couples who are finding ways to set their celebration apart from the rest are discovering the best way to do so is to stray away from the American wedding menu, and venture into new territory.

With traditions from world cultures, couples can draw upon their diverse backgrounds to create a unique blend for their day. Variety is the spice of life, and these foods from around the world will certainly add a new flavor to your wedding. Whether you are searching for ways to incorporate your heritage into your day, interested in learning more about other cultures, or are just a foodie; read further for how other nations use food to celebrate on wedding days.

Bermuda: Wedding cakes are topped with a sapling, which then couple then plants in the garden.

China: Wedding banquets in China consist of eight courses. Peking duck is usually on the menu, because it is a red dish and because ducks mate for life. Another popular dish is chicken; showing balance. The whole bird would typically appear on the dish.

England: The fruitcake that often people shun during the holidays is an enduring wedding food tradition in England. Not all fruit cakes are frumpy; the elegant wedding cake appearing at the wedding reception of William and Kate (above) was a fruitcake!

France: French couples often forgo a traditional cake in favor of a croquembouche, which are cream puffs assembled into a tower, and held together with sugar. There is the theory that if a bride and groom could kiss over the top of the tower, without knocking it over, then they would enjoy a prosperous life together.

Italy: At weddings in Italy, guests will receive five sugared almonds. The almonds remind the couple that life can be both bitter and sweet.

Mexico: I’m sure you’ve heard of Mexican Wedding Cookies. These delicate, crumbly, and just-sweet treats will finish off the banquet at a Mexican wedding. The butter and sugar reminds the couple of the richness and love in togetherness. The cookies are finished off by being rolled in powdered sugar.

Do you want to learn more about incorporating food and traditions into your big day? Do you have questions for our planners about cultures and catering? Contact our highly skilled Wedding Planners today to set up a free, initial consultation to get all your questions answered.

Call 253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com to set up your initial consultation.

Written by Samantha Macrae