The farm to table movement is having a major moment right now. And like most trends, we’re seeing it more and more at weddings. With the rise in popularity of eating local and organic foods, many couples are implementing their diets into their big days. Instead of serving the standard meat and veggies dinner, couples are now choosing to highlight regional foods and seasonal produce – especially when they’ve invited many out-of-town guests. Because food is so often closely tied to a couple’s journey, it’s a great way to incorporate your personality into what can sometimes be an uninspiring detail.
While a farm to table wedding can seem intimidating and expensive, with a little research and some careful decision making, you too can bring local fare to your nuptials.
Farmers Markets
One of the best ways to find local producers is by visiting your city’s farmers market. Depending on the season, farmers will have a variety of foods for you to choose from and may even have some sage advice on caterers they recommend. Make sure to visit a couple different times per year to see what exactly is in season and what’s going to be available during the season your wedding falls in. Buying seasonal veggies will help cut a little of the cost, too.
Local Breweries
If the idea of going totally seasonal is too stressful for you to comprehend, but you still want to highlight what your city or state has to offer, having some locally brewed beer at your cocktail hour is the way to go! Serving locally brewed beer will give your guests a taste of the area while supporting a local business. Not sure where to start? Make a date night out of it and try beer flights at different breweries. Beer not your thing? Serve a selection of local wine!
Bite-Sized Hors d’oeuvres
Another great way to incorporate the farm to table movement without going full on farm stand is by sticking with just one course as the local fare sampler. Highlight locally produced cheeses, breads, meats, spreads, and more during the cocktail hour. Not having a cocktail hour? Set aside one table for the local foods and design the tablescape to match the look of your cake table with different platters at different heights, creating a visually appetizing table.
Decor
If you’re willing to take the farm to table movement a little further, adding farm to table elements to your overall design will really hit it home. Use seed packets as table numbers or a piece of fruit or vegetable as your place cards. You can also include herbs into your arrangements and tablescapes. If you can, visit local flower farms and markets to hand pick your wedding bouquet yourself!
Favors
Wedding favors are a great way to give your guests a taste of the region without going totally farm to table. Having mini jars of honey or jams for guests to take home will be a sweet reminder of the day. You can even send guests off with seed packets of wild flowers to plant in their own gardens – another great way for them to remember you by!
There are so many ways to make farm to table happen at your own wedding – you just have to have enough creativity to make it your own! For more ideas and inspiration, follow us on Pinterest!