Once dominated by generic buffets and cookie-cutter courses, wedding food is undergoing a quiet revolution. Couples today are moving beyond traditional templates, choosing to tell their stories through thoughtfully curated menus that celebrate family recipes, regional flavors, and personal memories. From heirloom dishes passed down through generations to bespoke culinary experiences crafted by top chefs, wedding catering is no longer just about feeding guests — it’s about creating emotional connections, one plate at a time. Chefpreneur and Hospitality Experience designer Gautam Kumar who has served as the Executive and Corporate chefs of several leading Indian properties shares deep insights into how the wedding food trend is evolving.
What are the most popular main course dishes couples are requesting for Indian weddings this season?
High-end Indian weddings are seeing a demand for innovative main courses. Popular trends include regional fusion cuisine, international influences, and a focus on presentation. Couples prioritize interactive live stations, artistic plating, and high-quality vegetarian/vegan options. Specific favorites include biryanis, kormas, and dal makhani. Ultimately, couples seek curated menus that reflect their tastes and create memorable dining experiences.
Have you noticed a shift in dessert trends for weddings? Are fusion or traditional Indian sweets more in demand?
Absolutely, there is a significant evolution in wedding desserts. One key trend is the increasing popularity of pre-plated desserts, which allow for elegant presentation and portion control. Furthermore, there's a strong appetite for innovative dessert creations. Couples are embracing fusion desserts that blend traditional Indian flavors with modern techniques and international influences. However, it's important to note that traditional Indian sweets remain highly in demand. Essentially, there's room for both innovation and tradition, with couples often choosing a mix to cater to diverse palates.
How are regional cuisines influencing wedding menus? Are couples opting for diverse dishes from different parts of India?
Indeed, regional cuisines are significantly influencing Indian wedding menus. Couples are increasingly eager to showcase India's rich culinary heritage by incorporating diverse dishes from across the country. This trend encompasses both popular regional favorites, such as Kashmiri, Rajasthani, and coastal cuisine, as well as a growing appreciation for lesser-known gems like Santhali cuisine from Jharkhand, Assamese delicacies, and Bihari specialties. These diverse culinary experiences are rapidly gaining popularity and demand."
What’s the role of live food stations in Indian weddings now? Are there any creative concepts gaining popularity?
Live food stations are now central to Indian weddings, replacing traditional buffets with interactive and personalized dining. Popular examples include live chaat, regional , International cuisines, and dessert stations, as well as chef's specialties. Chefs cooking in front of guests create a lively, theatrical atmosphere, allowing for customized meals and a modern twist on the wedding feast. Nowadays Restaurant themes by the celebrity chefs are also quite popular where food is being cooked live in front of guest and the guest used to experience a fine dining service during wedding banqueting.
Are plant-based or vegan options becoming more common in Indian wedding menus? How are they being incorporated?
Plant-based and vegan options are now essential in Indian wedding menus, reflecting lifestyle changes and diverse dietary needs. Chefs creatively adapt traditional dishes using ingredients like jackfruit and tofu, and offer dedicated vegan stations. Modern caterers provide full vegan menus or alternatives for each course, ensuring an inclusive and considerate dining experience.
How do couples customize their wedding menus to reflect personal or cultural significance?
Couples customize their wedding menus to reflect personal or cultural significance in a variety of ways. They often incorporate dishes that hold special meaning to their families, such as traditional recipes passed down through generations. To highlight their cultural heritage, they might feature regional cuisine, ethnic specialties, or fusion dishes that blend different culinary traditions. Beyond specific dishes, they may also choose menu items that represent significant milestones in their relationship, like the food they shared on their first date. Increasingly, couples are embracing thematic elements in their décor, music, and food to create a cohesive and personalized cultural experience for their guests, and this trend is widely appreciated.
What food presentation or serving styles are trending at Indian weddings? Are interactive or artistic plating designs a preference?
Several food presentation and serving styles are currently trending at Indian weddings. Mono-portions, meals served in bowls, and mini-sized meal options are popular choices. Pre-plated, à la carte style service is also gaining traction. To enhance visual appeal, dishes are frequently garnished with fresh herbs, edible flowers, and micro greens. Innovative serving methods are also in vogue, such as presenting dahi bhalla in cones or biryani served in bamboo containers. While interactive food stations remain popular, artistic plating designs, though appreciated, might take a backseat to the convenience and elegance of the aforementioned styles.
How do food choices align with the overall wedding décor themes? Are couples using food as part of the visual storytelling?
Food choices are increasingly aligned with overall wedding décor themes, with couples using cuisine to reinforce the desired ambiance. For example, a Sufi-themed wedding might feature Mughlai cuisine, while Turkish or Bengali themes would showcase their respective culinary traditions. Couples are also incorporating food as a narrative element, reflecting their life journeys and love stories. They strategically select dishes that hold personal significance, effectively using food as part of the visual storytelling of their wedding.
Are you seeing demand for international cuisines at Indian weddings? If yes, which ones are being blended with traditional menus?
Yes, there's a significant demand for international cuisines at high-end Indian weddings, particularly during pre-dining events. Mediterranean and Oriental flavors are especially popular. For instance, sushi, dim sum, pizza, and shawarma are often considered essential components of the menu. In the main course, dishes like pasta, risotto, Thai curry, and teppanyaki have gained prominence, often taking center stage alongside traditional Indian offerings.
What snacks or small plates are guests loving during cocktail hours or pre-wedding events? Are there unique twists on classics?
Guests at cocktail hours and pre-wedding events are gravitating towards small portions and miniature plating. Chefs are introducing unique twists on classic dishes, such as fire sushi instead of traditional sushi, modern takes on challah like burrata puri, and innovative starters like avocado galouti.
Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock
What are the most popular main course dishes couples are requesting for Indian weddings this season?
High-end Indian weddings are seeing a demand for innovative main courses. Popular trends include regional fusion cuisine, international influences, and a focus on presentation. Couples prioritize interactive live stations, artistic plating, and high-quality vegetarian/vegan options. Specific favorites include biryanis, kormas, and dal makhani. Ultimately, couples seek curated menus that reflect their tastes and create memorable dining experiences.
Have you noticed a shift in dessert trends for weddings? Are fusion or traditional Indian sweets more in demand?
Absolutely, there is a significant evolution in wedding desserts. One key trend is the increasing popularity of pre-plated desserts, which allow for elegant presentation and portion control. Furthermore, there's a strong appetite for innovative dessert creations. Couples are embracing fusion desserts that blend traditional Indian flavors with modern techniques and international influences. However, it's important to note that traditional Indian sweets remain highly in demand. Essentially, there's room for both innovation and tradition, with couples often choosing a mix to cater to diverse palates.
How are regional cuisines influencing wedding menus? Are couples opting for diverse dishes from different parts of India?
Indeed, regional cuisines are significantly influencing Indian wedding menus. Couples are increasingly eager to showcase India's rich culinary heritage by incorporating diverse dishes from across the country. This trend encompasses both popular regional favorites, such as Kashmiri, Rajasthani, and coastal cuisine, as well as a growing appreciation for lesser-known gems like Santhali cuisine from Jharkhand, Assamese delicacies, and Bihari specialties. These diverse culinary experiences are rapidly gaining popularity and demand."
What’s the role of live food stations in Indian weddings now? Are there any creative concepts gaining popularity?
Live food stations are now central to Indian weddings, replacing traditional buffets with interactive and personalized dining. Popular examples include live chaat, regional , International cuisines, and dessert stations, as well as chef's specialties. Chefs cooking in front of guests create a lively, theatrical atmosphere, allowing for customized meals and a modern twist on the wedding feast. Nowadays Restaurant themes by the celebrity chefs are also quite popular where food is being cooked live in front of guest and the guest used to experience a fine dining service during wedding banqueting.
Are plant-based or vegan options becoming more common in Indian wedding menus? How are they being incorporated?
Plant-based and vegan options are now essential in Indian wedding menus, reflecting lifestyle changes and diverse dietary needs. Chefs creatively adapt traditional dishes using ingredients like jackfruit and tofu, and offer dedicated vegan stations. Modern caterers provide full vegan menus or alternatives for each course, ensuring an inclusive and considerate dining experience.
How do couples customize their wedding menus to reflect personal or cultural significance?
Couples customize their wedding menus to reflect personal or cultural significance in a variety of ways. They often incorporate dishes that hold special meaning to their families, such as traditional recipes passed down through generations. To highlight their cultural heritage, they might feature regional cuisine, ethnic specialties, or fusion dishes that blend different culinary traditions. Beyond specific dishes, they may also choose menu items that represent significant milestones in their relationship, like the food they shared on their first date. Increasingly, couples are embracing thematic elements in their décor, music, and food to create a cohesive and personalized cultural experience for their guests, and this trend is widely appreciated.
What food presentation or serving styles are trending at Indian weddings? Are interactive or artistic plating designs a preference?
Several food presentation and serving styles are currently trending at Indian weddings. Mono-portions, meals served in bowls, and mini-sized meal options are popular choices. Pre-plated, à la carte style service is also gaining traction. To enhance visual appeal, dishes are frequently garnished with fresh herbs, edible flowers, and micro greens. Innovative serving methods are also in vogue, such as presenting dahi bhalla in cones or biryani served in bamboo containers. While interactive food stations remain popular, artistic plating designs, though appreciated, might take a backseat to the convenience and elegance of the aforementioned styles.
How do food choices align with the overall wedding décor themes? Are couples using food as part of the visual storytelling?
Food choices are increasingly aligned with overall wedding décor themes, with couples using cuisine to reinforce the desired ambiance. For example, a Sufi-themed wedding might feature Mughlai cuisine, while Turkish or Bengali themes would showcase their respective culinary traditions. Couples are also incorporating food as a narrative element, reflecting their life journeys and love stories. They strategically select dishes that hold personal significance, effectively using food as part of the visual storytelling of their wedding.
Are you seeing demand for international cuisines at Indian weddings? If yes, which ones are being blended with traditional menus?
Yes, there's a significant demand for international cuisines at high-end Indian weddings, particularly during pre-dining events. Mediterranean and Oriental flavors are especially popular. For instance, sushi, dim sum, pizza, and shawarma are often considered essential components of the menu. In the main course, dishes like pasta, risotto, Thai curry, and teppanyaki have gained prominence, often taking center stage alongside traditional Indian offerings.
What snacks or small plates are guests loving during cocktail hours or pre-wedding events? Are there unique twists on classics?
Guests at cocktail hours and pre-wedding events are gravitating towards small portions and miniature plating. Chefs are introducing unique twists on classic dishes, such as fire sushi instead of traditional sushi, modern takes on challah like burrata puri, and innovative starters like avocado galouti.
Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock
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