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In Advice

Wedding food and drink trends for 2020

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The new decade is soon approaching, bringing with it new trends in the wedding industry. The Knot’s recently released 2020 Wedding Report predicts the biggest trends expected to hit the industry within the new year. Food in 2020 is expected to be bigger and better. From more inclusive menus to interactive eating, this is how people will be dining on their big day in 2020.

Inclusivity:

Couples are moving towards being more inclusive with their menu’s, offering plant-based, vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options for their guests. Don’t forget to also offer fun non-alcoholic drinks other than soda. This adds a personal touch to your wedding, showing that you care for your guests and their dietary requirements.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5yUWZwp-YZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Childhood favourites:

Take a trip down memory lane by incorporating childhood favourites into your wedding menu. Rather than stuffy hors d’oeuvres your guests can barely identify, serve what you love. Today’s couples are creating unique twists on old faithfuls like grilled cheese, sliders and fries.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mSCe-ja_C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Interactive eats:

We’ve loved the donut wall for the past few wedding seasons, now it’s time to take it up a notch. Interactive food options like conveyor belts or dessert stations throw a unique spin on food presentation. Consider having an ice-cream roller on site or a crêpe station for guests to pick and choose their desserts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5yVeNUAqkj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Self-serve bars:

Let your guests in on the action with self-serve bars. Rather than having to line up and wait for the mixologist to catch your eye, a self-service bar gives your guests something to do and some creative options. Think of offering a gin bar, with all the ingredients neatly set out for partygoers to help themselves to a custom drink.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1tx5OAyx-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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In Advice

Blazing a trail: Cannabis weddings

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Want to take your wedding to a higher level? Gather your best buds for an evening that incorporates CBD into your wedding decor and food. You’re ganja have a good time with these lit ideas.

CBD has been smoking hot in South Africa since marijuana was legalised for private use in 2018. From food to skincare, pretty much any product you need can list CBD as an ingredient. Since cannabis has become so mainstream, why not incorporate it in your wedding?

Kind Mind, a small American cannabis business, will soon be offering cannabis wedding planning and catering. In a Facebook post, the business shared some images on how they would incorporate the herb into your big day, and their ideas are far from half-baked.

From a Bud-bar to punny wedding favours, Kind Mind leaves us with high expectations.

 

South Africans wanting a cannabis-infused menu, we won’t leave you high and dry. Local green thumb and award-winning chef Matthew Smith’s budding new venture, Blazed and Infused, blends cannabis and cooking. Blazed and Infused offers private event catering with a unique THC twist. They even have a cannabis expert is on board to do infusion demonstrations to entertain your guests.

Cannabis-infused butter biscuits. Credit: Instagram / Blazed and Infused
THC infused bacon and sweet potato parcel. Credit: Instagram / Blazed and Infused

Contact: [email protected]

Website: https://blazedandinfused.co.za/

Image: Facebook / Kind Mind

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In Advice

Top 5 reasons to have a breakfast wedding

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We’re all familiar with dreamy afternoon weddings that celebrate late into the evening. While this can be a beautiful and more traditional approach, there’s something simply magical about a breakfast wedding.

1. They’re way more budget-friendly

Hosting a morning wedding can often mean cutting costs on venue and food, with certain locations lowering their prices as it’s a less busy time. There also won’t be nearly as much drinking in the morning, and simple mimosas, coffees and teas should suffice. Planning this kind of wedding in off-peak season will also help you save on venue costs.

2. The timing will be more flexible

Starting the celebrations earlier allows you much more time to either carry on celebrating or to head home early and jet off for your honeymoon. There will be no rush to hurry any part of the event, and you will find guests will feel more refreshed and calm during the entire affair.

3. There’s more room for intimacy

A breakfast/brunch wedding is perfect for smaller groups and more intimate moments between guests and the bridal party. Placing small picnic blankets out, snacks and wedding games for guests to enjoy will encourage conversation and bonding between the families.

4. You can enjoy a wide range of delicious foods

There’s a reason they say ‘breakfast all day’. Everyone loves breakfast food, and there’s is such a variety to choose from. From a coffee bar to cereal stations and a hot breakfast buffet, the options are endless (and delicious!)

5. The decor will be easier to work with

Morning receptions are very versatile. You can go big with a glamorous affair or small and intimate, it’s all down to your own preference. Lighting won’t be an issue, and if you’re choosing to host your wedding outdoors you can make use of an abundance of greenery to decorate the venue. Breakfast wedding decor also tends to be much simpler and cleaner, and less is needed to brighten up the space.

Image: Pexels

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In Advice

Food to avoid on your wedding day

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It’s the day you’ve been waiting for. Months of hard work and sacrifices have all led up to this moment, and nothing should take that away from you. Especially not something you ate.

In all the excitement of your big day, it’s easy to mindlessly munch on snacks. However, the snacks you eat could spell disaster if you’re not careful. These are the foods to avoid on your wedding day:

Processed sugar: Sugar causes an insulin-spike that can lead to a pretty bad down. To avoid crashing on your big day, keep the sugar-loaded snacks at bay.

Fried food: Oil-fried foods can cause your stomach to feel heavy and bloated and leave you feeling fatigued, so you might want to steer clear of the vegetable oil.

Too much caffeine: This is a tough one, but it has to be done. Caffeine can cause jitters, sweating and anxiety. If you need your morning cup ‘o joe to get you through the day, make sure its only one small mug.

Spice: Spice is nice, but heartburn isn’t. Spicy food can lead to bad breath and heartburn or acid reflux, which might come back in a nasty way.

Cheese: Cheese board, be gone! We all love a slice of brie, but you might want to avoid it on your big day. Many cheeses contain hard-to-digest fats that can leave you experiencing nausea, bloating, and fatigue.

Cruciferous vegetables: Yes, vegetables are healthy but they are not made equal. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and brussel sprouts, while being great superfoods, have the downside of being difficult to digest and thus causing gas. Not the fragrance you’re going for on your wedding day.

So what can you eat? We suggest a breakfast of oatmeal with a side dish of assorted berries and tropical fruit and chia seeds. Oatmeal slowly releases glucose, keeping your blood sugar levels steady for a longer period. The fruits will offer hydration and natural sugar,  while the chia seeds will help your skin glow.

At the end of the day, a slice of cheese is not going to ruin your wedding. And if you want a piece of cake, you eat that piece of cake! The important thing is to be aware of these foods’ side-effects and be make sure you eat nutritiously so that you are the best you on your wedding day.

Image: Unsplash

 

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In cake

Seven over-the-top wedding cakes

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We’ve seen it all. The weird, the wacky, the gorgeous and glamorous. Some people prefer subtle and understated, but not these brides. They go all out or nothing. Call it what you will, here are the some very over-the-top wedding cakes.

I heart you
We guess this is one way to portray romance.
 

Mine is bigger than yours
Bigger is better, right?

Fairytale wedding
We hope they lived happily ever after.

Head over heels
Which way is up (and how does it stay together)?

Crystal towers
It’s all about the bling.

You light up my life
We’re not saying it’s a bad thing, but this reminds us of a night light in a child’s bedroom.

Plenty of fish in the sea
Is the cake served with sushi?

Image: Instagram/Pakistanibride

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In Food

Edible wedding favours

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Food, glorious food. It is one of the few things that can bring us all together. At the end of the night, sometimes all someone wants is a midnight snack.

When planning your wedding favours, why not go for something edible? Edible wedding favours are great because they can be affordable and easily diy’ed. Another added bonus is that your guests can reuse the containers the gifts come in or simply keep them as mementos.

Treat your guests with something to nibble on with one of these favourites.

Bubbly:

 

A takeaway:

Honey:

Whiskey:

Tea:

Vodka:

Popcorn:

Jam:

Donuts:

Nuts:

 

 

 

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In Advice

Hors d’oeuvre ideas your guests will love

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All you need is love and food. Your wedding should offer both. Cocktail hour is a crucial time for guests to whet their appetites before they sit down for the wedding feast.

Typically running after the ceremony, cocktail hour is a perfect time for guest to mingle while enjoying some delicious dishes. Beyond just lining stomachs, it sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Whether you want to go big with fancy finger foods or prefer the more modest morsel, these appetisers are sure to get your mouth watering.

Pretzels:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0pnJAHhBz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Popcorn:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgBlTX5H8Ln/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feta and watermelon skewers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0JlUeljRz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Charcuterie:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zTic4l7-7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Ice-lollies:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cqlyzBRa_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Mini-tacos: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wvK1BFEff/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fries:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mSCe-ja_C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Crostini:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B18M0xUg7xk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fish fingers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byaj_ZGjKCH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chicken skewers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1n-02XAeJc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Sliders:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqy2zNeH3H_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Milk and cookies:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2iyrQkByz8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Arancini pops:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0-j3IMhM7H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Unsplash

 

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In Advice

Insta-worthy wedding desserts

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Food itself can be artwork and oh-so-pretty. Let’s not kid each other, we’re all here for the dessert. And you know there will be pictures taken, so you want them to look gorgeous! We found some super creative desserts to give you ideas. Even if you’re not a sweet tooth, you’ll love this eye candy.

Cookies

Ah, yes. An old-time favourite, and the perfect canvas. You can go crazy with different shapes and designs, or keep it simple with all of the same. Either way, these are great, even as a souvenir for guests to take home since it won’t spoil easy.

 

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Chocolate fountain 

This one is an oldie but a goodie. There’s no one on earth that doesn’t like chocolate and if they say they don’t, they’re wrong. The beauty of this is that you can have guests dip in anything under the sun. Think fresh fruit, biscuit-fingers, or even donuts. The list goes on. Plus, it makes for a super pretty decor piece.

 

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“I’m not a psychic, but I see myself all over you.” ? . #namethattune #cheatday #chocolatefountain

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Mousse 

Delectable, smooth and decadent. Mousse is fancy and fun at the same time because you can make little artworks by packing different layers in a glass or glass bowl. That way, you can play with different colours. Or you can keep it as simple as chocolate. Stunning pictures all the way!

Macarons

Almost seems like we left the most obvious for last, doesn’t it? We all know that macarons are highly Instagrammable. Scientific fact. And yummy too! Well, eat your heart out.

 

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In Food

Wedding food trucks that will wow your guests

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Food trucks have quickly become popular alternatives to the traditional wedding meal. These vehicles are transformed into stylish, mobile mini-kitchens ready to line the stomachs of eager wedding guests. Food trucks also work as extra decor pieces, providing a dose of whimsy sure to impress your guests.

With so many fun and unique food trucks to choose from, you’ll be overwhelmed with having to choose. Here are our favourite wedding food truck ideas to inspire you:

Gin bar:

Gin is having a moment. Stun your guests with a gin truck offering various add-ons and botanicals to quench their thirst.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByXxfKGlLLZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Gelato:

Appeal to your guests’ sweet teeth with a gelato stand. This food truck works well for summer weddings and adds a fun, vintage feel to your wedding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2CoaN8APBN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fresh juice:

Homemade juice is the perfect drink for a hot summer’s day. Serve them on the back of a truck in massive juice jars, and you’ve got the cutest drink station.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3eqSMnnO3h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Mexican food:

If you’re a lover of spice then a Mexican food truck will be right up your alley! Tacos, nachos, burritos and churros make for perfect handheld delights at your wedding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ummJrJgz3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fried Chicken:

Having street food at your wedding creates a much more relaxed, informal atmosphere. If you’re not one for seated dinners, this food truck idea is perfect for you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3TmZWkpVqB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Pizza:

Who doesn’t love pizza? Give your wedding an Italian flare with some freshly made pizza.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2L3MaABljA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Snacks:

We all get peckish, especially after a day of wedding festivities. Having a snack truck on hand will keep your guests coming back for more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2PwIzHH4rJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Breakfast:

If you’re having an early wedding, you should consider providing a mobile breakfast bar. From pancakes, eggs, bacon and baked goods, there are so many options to fill your guests in preparation for the ceremony.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1g7Oe3HaI9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Toasties:

Toasted sandwiches take us back to childhood days of lunches in front of the TV. Take a trip down memory lane with a toastie truck. It will be the perfect addition to a chilled afternoon wedding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3v-k7nAPX8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Charcuterie:

Harvest tables have been trending for a while now. If you want to be different, think about having a charcuterie and cheese truck. Cheese, meats and wine go so perfectly together and make a great picnic-style wedding snack.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzpg3jqisge/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Picture: Unsplash

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In Decor

How to incorporate food into your decor

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Fruit and vegetables as decor have been trending for a while now, but a few new takes on the trend have surfaced more recently. We take a look at some wonderful ways you can incorporate food into your decor:

Why not add beautiful kumquats, oranges or grapes into your table arrangements to give them added intrigue and beauty? It’s a wonderful addition to a bouquet as well, especially in an outdoor wedding setting.

 

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Fruit and vegetables can also add lovely pops of colour and freshness to your table runner and are also a great way to dress a harvest table. What better way to complement your wedding venue than by featuring grapes in your decor if your wedding is located on a vineyard, citrus and stone-fruit in an orchard setting, or even tomatoes for an Italian location wedding.

 

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A new trend we have recently come across is the statement fruit sculptures designed by Slippery Spoon Kitchen, which offer a super fun design element to a tropical-themed wedding. It’s a great way to complement any other bold colours and design ideas you may want to feature at your wedding.

 

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Hanging dried fruit installations are a cool and unique alternative to floral installations, and provide an instant visual impact to your wedding reception. If you want to reserve some space on your tables, hang your floral or fruit decor from the ceiling.

 

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By Elizabeth Mackenzie

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