Elevate your wedding experience with these catering ideas

Food is love and in the culinary world, there are so many ways to show it. We’ve pulled together some tried and true favorites as well as some new things popping up on wedding menus. Let’s elevate your wedding experience with these catering ideas. 

Planning for wedding catering success

You’ll find creative menu planning and 5 star cuisine at Millennium Center.

Who doesn’t want to amaze their guests with creative cuisine served in a style that complements the theme and vibe of their wedding? But before you start thinking about your wedding reception menu and how it’s presented, you need a good handle on your guest list. Your headcount is going to impact your serving style or styles. And depending on the complexity of your menu, you may need some additional staffing to make sure everyone is served on time.

It’s also important to remember that the size of your venue also affects serving styles. For example, if you’re using stations around the room, that’s going to impact the flow of your event and how comfortably your guests can get to the food.

The good news is that you don’t have to make these decisions alone. Here at Winston-Salem wedding venue Millennium Center, you’ll work with a seasoned event manager and a culinary team trained by renowned chefs. We’ll give you menu and serving style suggestions based on our experience of hosting over 1000 weddings. But just as importantly, we’ll listen to your ideas and desires, then collaborate with you on how to make those wishes come true.

Elevate your wedding experience with these catering ideas 

Stick with a delicious tradition or give it a twist. Tap into your favorite foods and cultural traditions. And rely on your caterer to put together a menu that has a beautiful progression of tastes and some surprises along the way. Here are some of our favorite catering ideas, from cocktail time to late night desserts.

Cocktail hour inspiration

Skip the grazing table and go with indivual charcuterie cups.

Charcuterie cups: Instead of trying to balance a plate of passed hors d’oeuvres, your guests can enjoy a convenient cup of bite sized charcuterie while they mix  and mingle. 

Sweet potato slices: Instead of serving your guests a traditional bruschetta hors d’oeuvre, go with a more nutritious alternative. Sweet potato slices can be topped with cream cheese, ramson cream, goat cheese, cress, and cranberries.

Give your guests a taste of what’s to come: In addition to some standard cocktail time fare, introduce your guests to one amazing hors d’oeuvre that ties into your wedding meal. 

Your wedding feast

Seasonality & locally sourced: What once was a trend has now become a staple of wedding menu planning. By incorporating in-season local ingredients, you’re assured of freshness and quality, whether it’s a soup, salad, or main course.

Interactive food stations: Let your guests customize their culinary experience with an array of stations. Be sure to offer a nice selection of toppings, from healthy to decadent, to go with the dish. Build your stations around your favorite foods, your culture, or a theme.

The beauty of interactive food stations is they aren’t just for the wedding feast. They’re great for adding another layer of nosh at cocktail hour and stations are perfect for desserts. Why not design your own doughnut?  

Now for the sweet tooth

Individual cakes: Yes, you still have a small cake for photos. But more couples are embracing the idea of a “centerpiece” cake for each table.  Mix it up with a variety of flavors and fillings.

Elaborate dessert stations: Look for French patisserie, tarts with punch, comfort treats like brownies and cookies, and cupcakes with frosting decor that’s over the top.

Keep the party going

Keep the party going with late night snacks – energy for the dance floor

Late night snacks are still going strong at wedding receptions. Give your guests some dance floor fuel with those classic mini burgers, pizzas or even bite size chicken and waffles. Rent a popcorn, snow cone or cotton candy machine. Set up a sundae station or serve “adult milk and cookies” with Kahlua or Baileys.

Look to your catering professional for ways to help you express your personalities with your wedding menu. Here at Millennium Center, our clients experience a complimentary tasting for four, allowing you to explore your options and find the dishes you love. 

Want to learn more about Millennium Center weddings? To schedule a consultation and tour, call (336) 723-3700, email or fill out our inquiry form. As one of Southern Living Magazine’s top wedding venues, we look forward to hosting the wedding of your dreams