There are many factors that go into planning a wedding, from the date and location to guest list, flowers and the ceremony itself…and then there’s the reception. Whether planning a blow-out party or an intimate gathering, one thing couples can do to make the day their own is to work with a chef or catering company to create a multicultural menu that represents their heritage for an unforgettable culinary experience all will enjoy.
“Couples are interested in incorporating local culture, as well as their own heritage, into their wedding day,” says Rachel E. Rice, Founder and Principal Planner with The One Moment Events. “With this comes customization with every detail. A great menu that incorporates their cultural flavors, or the flavors of the place they get married, is one way to add significance to the wedding day.”
“With an increase in multi-cultural marriages there is an increased demand to blend wedding celebration traditions, and the food is no exception,” says Brandi Henggeler, Senior Catering Sales Manager and Wedding Specialist at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. “Couples are looking to showcase their family and regional favorites while still honoring the cultural heritage of their partner and his/her family, all while trying to offer a modern twist on what may be seen as dated traditional cuisine.”
Eva Lopez Cruz, Sales and Marketing Director at Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende, says that multicultural wedding menus aren’t just a trend.
“More than being trendy, [creating a multicultural wedding menu] gives you status and position among your family and friends,” says Cruz.
Henggeler agrees.
“If anything, I would see that cultural menus continue to be offered even with couples who are not from that specific culture,” she says, pointing to serving Japanese sushi stations at cocktail hour for a non-Japanese couple.
“Young couples are looking to put their stamp on their weddings, and while they may look to parents to offer guidance, they are certainly wanting to offer food that appeals to younger generations for all cultures,” Henggeler adds. “Millennials and Gen-Zs have grown up with a wide palate of cultural foods regardless of where they are from, and they are very open to serving a variety of cultural foods at their celebrations and weddings.”
Make it Personal
When asked what couples should keep in mind when creating multicultural menus for their weddings, Henggeler suggests keeping the majority of their guests in mind.
“Though their parents may have favorite items that they would love to see created in a very familiar way, if the majority of the guests may shy away from such items (perhaps due to flavor, spice, texture, etc.), then I recommend creating hybrid options that will feel familiar to guests, but still pay a respectful nod to the cultural dish,” says Henggeler. An example she gives is rather than a traditional Paneer Makhani, a traditional South Asian cheese-based favorite served as more of soupy consistency over basmati rice, serve a twist on the dish as a Paneer Street Taco.
Couples should keep in mind what they want, too, says Rice, and run with it.
“My biggest piece of advice is to select what you love,” she says. “It may not make sense on paper, but if you try picking a menu and you love what you’ve picked, confidently move forward with those selections.
“I see couples oftentimes worry that maybe their menu is too adventurous for their guests, or they want something that is more of a ‘crowd-pleaser,’ but just like when you recommend your favorite restaurant or dish to a loved one, selecting a menu that is uniquely you is bound to please,” Rice adds.
Get to Know the Chefs
Working with local chefs and catering companies can ensure couples are incorporating the best ingredients in the multicultural dishes they’ve selected for the wedding menus, too.
“Couples should create a connection with the chef, and the chef will take care of that connection with the food,” says Cruz. “That way, the kitchen knows exactly what the couples are expecting.”
“Trusting in your catering team and your chef is always the key,” says Rice. “Asking questions like ‘What is something you’ve been really excited to create lately?’ is great to get the creative juices flowing.” She adds that entrusting them to execute a flawless flow is also key.
“Don’t be afraid of leaning into your vendors and asking them how to incorporate a unique style of presentation or menu,” she adds. “Tell them what your goals are for the experience and let them fill in the blanks.”
One tip that Cruz shares with couples when it comes time to plan a multicultural wedding menu is to have lunch with the chef to get to know them.
“Discuss the expectations of the wedding, listen to the chef’s feedback and create a nice relation with the kitchen,” she suggests.
Traditions and Perspectives
Henggeler’s tip to couples is to remember to embrace and respect their partner’s traditions and perspectives.
“I have planned weddings for almost every culture represented in the U.S., and all traditions are so wonderful and beautiful, none better than another’s,” she says. “So being open to your partner’s cultural traditions will only enhance and bring more vibrance and excellence to your wedding celebrations.
“Whether it is food, ceremonies, attire, décor, music, or any other category of the event that distinguish weddings from each other culturally, I encourage a high level of incorporating both cultures,” adds Henggeler. “No one wants to feel like their wedding day is void of elements that truly represent them and their background and values.”
Going into planning with an abstract concept of the vibe they want to create on their wedding day is something Rice suggests couples plan to do. She also suggests they be a bit flexible.
“Don’t hold onto anything too tightly because when you show up with a menu or style of flow already pre-selected, you shut yourself off to the wonderful magic that can be created,” she says.
“Trust your planning team and make sure you love the team you end up working with — that makes all the difference with the big and little stuff,” adds Rice.
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