Food is a massive part of a weddings and it’s fair to say couples are going all out with lots of creative offerings on the menu! From ice cream vans and candy buffets to food trucks and singing chefs, you’ll find lots of great foodie inspo in today’s post…
1. Design Your Own Menu with a Chef
Photo by Laura Murray Photography via Style Me Pretty
Marquee and ‘at home’ weddings are incredibly popular these past few years, particularly with foodie couples keen to have their day their way. More and more couples love the idea of working with a dedicated chef or catering company to create a truly unique wedding menu that reflects their tastes and personality. O’Brien Lynch Catering is one such company that works with couples to create an innovative, bespoke wedding menu with everything from tasty canapes and mouth-watering mains to innovative midnight snacks. Marquee weddings are one of their specialties and they can also provide bar and wine service on the day as well as linens, floral arrangements and centrepieces. Or if you’re looking for some sweet options, Party Food 4 U specialise in both candy and fruit buffets as well as cakes and desserts and jelly pots, sure to be a big hit with anyone with a sweet tooth.
2. Go Casual with a BBQ or Tasty Pig on a Spit
Photo by Kelley Jordan Photography via The Knot
If you’re looking to go casual for your Big Day fare and treat your guests to an awesome spread with an assortment of dishes, don’t be afraid to go all out and have a gourmet BBQ or a Pig on a Spit. PigOut.ie do delish BBQs, Pig Roasts, Lamb Roasts and Rotisserie Chicken and sides while Adare Farm also specialise in tasty hog roasts and BBQ treats! They’re perfect for a fun summer wedding or if you fancy something more formal for the day itself, are ideal for day after parties as well.
3. Surprise Guests with an Ice Cream Van or Cart
Photo from Sarah Jane & Liam’s real wedding by Liam Kidney Photography
We love the idea of having an ice cream van, cart or bike stop by after the ceremony to keep guests busy while you’re off getting snapped! They’ll be only too delighted to tuck in to 99s, cones, or a scoop of their favourite flavour as they mingle post-ceremony or make their way to the reception!
Ice Cream Suppliers
JG’s Ice Cream | Adare Farm Ice Cream Cart | Smith’s Ice Cream Vans | Carolyn’s Sweets
4. Have a Fun Cocktail Hour or Cosy Afternoon Tea with Vintage Vanp
If you like the idea of everyone cosying up with teas and coffees as they chat after the ceremony, have Mae, a pretty vintage inspired mobile cafe/bar pop by to delight guests! Mae is a restored 1970s vintage caravan available to hire from Vintage Vanp that comes with its own waiting staff – keep guests toasty as they mingle outside the church with some warm drinks or have Mae as a fabulous feature at your drinks reception and serve up delicious cocktails or afternoon tea (we love the idea of dishing up warm scones and steaming teas and hot chocolates during chillier months). For more info on Mae, click here.
5. Serve Prosecco on Tap with Lovely Bubbly
Love the idea of Prosecco on tap? Take a peek at the adorable Lovely Bubbly pop up van that can make this a reality! This adorable Prosecco van comes complete with red carpet and its own waiter/waitress to serve guests as well as strawberries and a ‘Pimp your Prosecco’ table. Guests will love the idea of stopping by for refills and we bet there’ll be queues for a pic with this cutie too! Find out more here.
6. Create a Fun Pub Feel with The Shebeen
You can’t beat that cosy, Irish pub feel and if you want a bit of that at your wedding, The Shebeen can do just that. This adorable Irish pub on wheels brings the amazing authentic Irish pub atmosphere directly to you. Guest will love stopping by for chats and pints at this cute station and it would make an amazing stand-out feature for your drinks reception as well! Find out how you can hire it here.
7. Impress Guests with Your Wines
Photo from Cormac & Linda’s real wedding by Julie Cummins Photography
Food is a huge part of the day but the right wines will also go down a treat! Couples that are fond of their vino and want to create a truly original wine menu will love WineOnline.ie‘s incredible selection. WineOnline.ie is a fully Irish owned family-run business that seek out exceptional wines (at great value) from all over the world – you won’t find any of these in your local Tesco. They can also personalise your wine labels to make them extra special! Work with them to find excellent champers and wines that will really wow your guests. Find out more here.
8. Surprise Everyone with Some Fun Dinner Entertainment
If you’re looking for a fun way to liven up your courses, it doesn’t get much better than the chef belting out a few tunes! Dressed up like a Chef, Johnny The Singing Chef looks like the real deal but is in fact a trained entertainer who will give guests the best surprise when he breaks out in to song during dinner and gets everyone singing, dancing and clapping along! Find out more here.
9. Get Your Sugar Fix with a Candy Buffet
Photo from Laura & Patrick’s real wedding by Deirdre Langan Photography
The candy buffet is one trend guests never tire of! They’ll love being able to stop by for a few cola bottles and refreshers after dinner or as a bit of a pick me up during dance floor breaks. It also doubles up as a favour if you’re after something fun and practical – the perfect treat for the taxi ride home.
Candy Buffet Suppliers
EventSource.ie | Carolyn’s Sweets | Candy Couture Sweet Boutique | Party Food 4U | Annie Ruffles Vintage Creations | Enchanting Events
10. Keep Things Cosy in Winter with a Drinks Station
Photo via American Vintage Rentals
It can be nice to have a couple of warm drinks later in the evening as you let your food settle so a tea, coffee or hot chocolate station will be a welcome sight for guests. They can easily pop by for a top up whenever it takes their fancy – and you can even leave some wedding cake beside it so everyone gets a taste!
11. Create a Fun Party Feel with a Popcorn Bar (or Festival Vibes with Candy Floss and Slushy Machines)
Photo via Pinterst
Nibbles and parties go hand in hand so why not have a few of your own at your Big Day in the form of a Popcorn Bar! If you want to make things super professional, you can hire out a retro popcorn cart or if you’ve a bit of festival theme going on, you can also hire candy floss carts and slushy machines, all of which will be a massive hit with guests.
Popcorn Cart, Candy Floss and Slushy Machine Suppliers
Carolyn’s Sweets | Candy Couture Sweet Boutique | EventSource.ie
12. Tuck in to Crisp Sambos Come Midnight
Photo by Finn Mooney
The crisp sandwich kit has really taken off in the past few years and we’re not surprised! After a couple of hours on the dance floor and a few drinks, guests will only love tucking in to this childhood fave. If you fancy having them as a midnight feast, leave out supplies so guests can help themselves or if you want them as favours, Carolyn’s Sweets can supply you with Tayto or King packs guests can enjoy the morning after.
13. Treat Your Guests to Epic Late Night Eats
Food trucks are all the rage at the mo at weddings and are a welcome sight late in the evening when everyone is fading after a few hours on the dance floor! Have it stop by just before midnight as a treat for hungry guests – they’ll love tucking in to chipper faves like burgers, fish and chip and hotdogs as well as all manner of chips (garlic, curry, cheese – whatever you fancy!) from The Chip Van. Or if you’re looking to give your evening a retro twist, the vintage American Airstream trailer The Airstream can pop by and serve up gourmet slider burgers and fries!
14. Finish off the Night with Food Around a Fire Pit
Photo from Crystal & Brian’s real wedding by Glamour Algarve Weddings
There’s something so lovely about t everyone cosying up by a fire pit later in the evening with some late night snacks. Have your food truck close by so guests can mosey on over with their chips or hot dog in hand.
