Our Favorite Catering Trends in 2022
Lauren Fair Photography
We may be biased or even borderline, “food snobs”, however here at Designed by Delsie, we strongly affirm that your culinary program will be the foundation of your wedding experience. Therefore, it is important to consider how the style of service, ingredients selected, and sequel of events will elevate or hinder the vision. As with every major detail, it is recommended to secure the culinary team early in the process, (we recommend around 11 months from the wedding date or directly after securing the venue). The menu will support the theme and offer an extraordinary experience, leaving your guests to remember your affair for a lifetime. The knowledge of these additional amenities will guide our next steps when meticulously selecting your vendor team.
So what style of catering for your event should we select for your fete? It was once tradition for couples to opt for a cocktail hour followed by a multi course meal for the typical wedding day experience. On occasion, couples included a carving station or dessert table with various desserts for a touch of flair. As you may have noticed, at Designed by Delsie, our couples are anything but ordinary and our planning team aims to deliver the unconventional.
Along with non-traditional weddings, 2020 and 2021 saw the rise of more interactive and lighter fare options as a result of the restrictions placed on events and the desire to mingle with guests who maybe you and your spouse-to-be had not seen in over a year. Enter innovative and creatively designed food stations and small bite courses. We at Designed by Delsie predict that during the wedding boom we will see this trend continue in 2022 - and we are thrilled! This guide shares three ways we will help you incorporate the new trend into your wedding.
Lauren Fair Photography
Cocktail Style Dinner
The benefits of cocktail parties are posh bites and your favorite comfort foods emphasizing various culinary techniques and flavors. This style of catering is ideal for conservative eaters and food connoisseurs alike. Guests will experience the benefits of a multicourse meal - but without the hefty culinary fees and the extended seating times associated with multi course dinners. Lastly, for friends and loved ones who are coming from afar to celebrate (maybe for the first time since pre-2020), this may be a great opportunity to indulge in multiple styles of cuisines that they may not be accustomed to. In short, cocktail parties will bring you a culinary adventure that your tastebuds will thank you for.
Tapas Served Family Style
In the same vein as cocktail parties, tapas-style dinners allow for a variety of small plates to be served to your guests. While cocktail parties encourage mingling and movement, tapas serving bridges the gap between traditional plated dinners and small bite cocktail hours. If you cannot decide between appetizers only and a seated dinner, Delsie recommends this style of menu. Tapas will be a hit with your guests because who doesn’t love a plate of patatas bravas with romesco (or paella) alongside their glass of Barolo?
Lauren Fair Photography
Interactive Food Stations
This service style transforms food into the entertainment and focal point of your event. Designed by Delsie encourages couples to go with this style of service to encourage more movement - it allows for our more social couples to have even more opportunities to mingle with their loved ones. In 2022, we want to incorporate beautifully designed food stations such as a dynamic mac and cheese station with toppings from pancetta to truffle oil.
Leah Haydock Photography
Mini Comfort Food
After a year (or two or three) of being inside our homes more than we previously were, many people have a new appreciation for comfort food. An exciting twist on traditional comfort foods appeared during the pandemic - bite-sized comfort food. This makes all our favorite classics more feasible to eat delicately while skipping the mess that often is associated with comfort food. It also means that the presentation can be more creative, and allows food to be an integral part of the entertainment at your wedding.
Leah Haydock Photography
Artisanal Mixology
Previously couples often chose one or two signature cocktails to have at their wedding alongside beer, wine and simple well drinks. However, as we approach the 2022 wedding season, we encourage our couples to rethink their culinary program. Delsie’s skilled mixologist vendors provide guests with artisanal libations that please the palate and the eye. These haute and delicious drinks can be customized to fit your color palette, accentuate your authenticity and style, match your theme, and add an element of surprise for your guests. As your guests enter into your wedding day experience, from the final goodbye, cocktails are a wonderful way to keep the energy high.
Branded & Personalized Food Design
In 2022, while monograms are still hitting the dance floor, we also are also incorporating them into food design . Utilizing monograms or personalized logos on cookies, for example, is a perfect idea for a welcome gift or a favor for your guests to enjoy. Branded foods also have the ability to make your wedding feel luxuriously by adding customization to even the smallest details. Another larger personalized design idea would be to brand your cake. Designed by Delsie even helped our clients design cakes to look like their pets this year.
As an expert in culinary arts and hospitality, Designed by Delsie is an industry leader in creating events that will captivate your guests in the most extraordinary way. We will guide you through the process of crafting a dynamic food and beverage program to create an unforgettable experience that is as authentic as your personal love story.
Bon Appetit!
Lauren Fair Photography
Pearl is THE GODDESS of wedding planning! She was my angel from heaven throughout this process … She is so compassionate and kind; has impeccable attention to detail and professionalism; she is funny as all get-out, stylish, direct and proactive. She will never judge you, always listen to you, and is incredibly responsive, now matter what else she has going on. Her empathy, passion for her art and Boss Lady persona is exactly what I needed. She really saved the day for me, because there were times when I truly needed a lot of help and direction. Pearl is my party/celebration/special event planner FOR LIFE.
- client
Lauren Fair Photography
Need more inspiration?
Want to learn more about our wedding planning services for your wedding day? We’d love to hear from you. Please complete our inquiry for and we will reach out to you within 48 hours to schedule a consultation.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
We frequently post tips, behind-the-scenes, and wedding highlight videos to inspire you!