From Burgers to Oysters: 10 New and Unusual Wedding Food Ideas

Ice-cream vans, mezze trucks, oyster bars or dessert jars… take your pick of desirable tasty treat ideas bound to inspire your wedding menu and leave guests wanting seconds. Lorna Dockerill shows us 10 of the best bridal food trends

Catering for the diverse range of guests’ palates can be a challenging wedding mission, so why not try spicing up the menu with fun food trends that will excite and add variety?

Wow family and loved ones with some of these tasty wedding food ideas that also make for colourful, memorable pictures. From ice-cream vans and oyster bars, to dessert jars and macaron towers, any of these treats are made for a celebration that spells out yum with a capital Y.

1. Ice cream van

Kristian Leven Photography

With a rainbow of sorbets, creamy textures and delectable flavours, an ice-cream van is a
fun way to break up the big day and get guests mingling. Create your own unusual flavour
combinations to put your own stamp on things.


Kristian Leven Photography
Kristian Leven Photography

2. DIY cupcake bar



Cupcakes have been a favourite alternative to traditional wedding cakes in recent years. Create a more customised experience for friends with a DIY cupcake bar with plenty of topping options for guests to pile onto their cakes.



Use small jars with miniature wooden scoops packed with hundreds and thousands, chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows and raspberries, which are sure to go down well with adults and children alike.

3. Curry truck


Mr and Mrs Photography

If you and your other half have a taste for Asian cuisine, a curry truck has hit written all over it. Load it with samosas, bhajis and other delicious thali dishes that are great for festival style or informal weddings. 

Mr and Mrs Photography

4. Macaron tower



If cake isn’t really your thing, go for meringue-based macarons. They can be created in gluten- and dairy-free varieties and an array of pastel or vivid shades. Box them up as favours, personalise them, or pack into jars. The most striking way to display them is stacked vertically to create a macaron tower. 

5. Fish and chip van


Mr and Mrs Photography

A seaside classic and retro favourite, fish and chips is a crowd pleaser. Hire a van decorated with bunting for a British edge and serve in paper cones with juicy lemon wedges, tartar sauce and, of course, salt and vinegar. The perfect touch for British beach wedding. 

Mr and Mrs Photography

6. Mason jar desserts


Mike and Tom Photography 

Weddings are a time to experiment with fun ways to serve a menu. Mason jars are a great way to display layered desserts such as trifles, mini cheesecakes, key lime pies or Eton mess. 

Mike and Tom Photography 

7. Oyster bar


Kristian Leven Photography

An extravagant showstopper, this famous aphrodisiac will make a lasting impression at a wedding. An oyster bar is an acquired taste but a great alternative to canapés. 

Kristian Leven Photography

8. Mezze van


Kristian Leven Photography

If hummus, falafel and baba ganoush are among your favourite snacks, Turkish, Lebanese or Greek mezze will strike the right note at your wedding. Perfect for vegetarian guests, mezze boxes and wraps are tasty finger food options packed full of flavour. 


Kristian Leven Photography

9. Dairy station


Jay Archer florist at The Kalm Kitchen and VLA Photography

Some people are hooked on savoury snacks rather than sugary temptations. Keep guests satisfied with a grazing station stocked with a mix of exotic and classic cheeses, combined with figs, grapes and crackers.

10. Burger van


Kristian Leven Photography

This might not spell out wedding catering option initially, but if done well, burger vans can be hugely popular with guests at summer celebrations. Choose the finest meat available and offer a range of relishes, in addition to a veggie choice for alternative dietary requirements. Simply made for tipi and outdoor weddings. 

Kristian Leven Photography

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