Your wedding menu is an important part of planning your big day. You know what they say: Your guests will remember your dress, they’ll remember your photos, and they’ll remember the food! But where do you start? While some venues and planners have pre-ordained vendors to narrow things down, there’s still a whole wedding menu to craft from there. Need some guidance? As a professional in this industry for more than a dozen years, I’ve got you covered. Let’s get started with my favorite wedding menu tips and trends!

Wedding Menu Tips

Start with the budget. There’s not much worse than coming up with the perfect wedding menu only to end up with it just out of reach. Knowing what you’re willing to spend on food heading into conversations, planning, and tastings can make things more clear from the very start, and give your potential vendors a parameter for what they should and shouldn’t present as options. 

Then choose a style. My advice? Choose a style that’s consistent with your wedding’s theme. Plated meals are both formal and traditional, and they take up less space in your reception area. A buffet is most cost-efficient, and gives guests the freedom to pick and choose their meal, or a family-style dinner could fit a more fun and friendly vibe. Food stations require some space, but they also provide variety and freedom of choice without giving up too much structure. Whatever you choose, make the choice before getting your heart set on any specific wedding menu items. 

Make it personal. Your wedding should reflect your love story in every way, from the date to the venue, flowers, colors… and food! If you and your fiance never eat cake, why have one at an event that celebrates the two of you? But if your families are traditional, a stunning multi-tiered cake might just be a perfect focal point. If you met at a restaurant, or if you have a favorite date night haunt, consider serving that style of food at your reception. Give some nods to your love story so the whole day tastes, looks, and feels like… you!

Things to consider: Personal tastes, seasonal availability, and dietary restrictions. One way to consider all three? Plan to offer options. Showcase your preferences (because who has just one?) and ensure you’ll be able to get what you need—and so will your guests!

Wedding Menu Trends

Interactive experiences. 2025-26 brides are all about creating unique hands-on experiences for their guests, including the wedding menu! Build-your-own taco bars, sundae stations, pasta bars, and burger stations are great ways to make your guests feel like they’re part of the special details, and help foster a real family/community feeling among your guests. 

Cultural celebration. Whether you’re native to your venue’s state, a transplant or even planning a destination wedding, the wedding menu is a great place to celebrate your family’s culture—or allow guests to fully experience the tastes of the celebration itself! Industry trends show an up-tick in themes like sharing locally-grown foods, dishes made famous in your wedding city, and even menus that share and celebrate family and ancestral heritage. 

Grazing tables. If the meal styles mentioned above don’t fit your wedding vibe, consider grazing tables instead. They’re huge for 2025-26 weddings! Instead of traditionally plated meals, create large table displays of assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and spreads for your guests to enjoy. Why stop at one? Keep things fun with tables for desserts and late night snacks, too.

Whatever you choose, be sure to set a menu and plate aside for your wedding photographer. Don’t believe me? Check out these dreamy detail shots! You’ve worked hard on these details. Let’s help you remember how special each one was forever!

Okay, Denver brides. I may be based in Colorado Springs, but let me tell you—Denver weddings are some of the most stunning events you’ll see. And the most versatile! Some of my favorite venues and vendors are just an hour drive from my front door in Colorado Springs. And, as the largest city in the state, you’ve got a sizable piece of the wedding industry to work with. From sporty to elegant, traditional, funky, or as rustic as the scenic mountains that cover the skyline, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. So whether you’re native to the rocky mountains or you’re planning a gorgeous destination wedding, let’s take a look at some of my favorite “mile-high” details, curated just for all my Denver brides. 

Denver Wedding Locations

When you picture your dream wedding, what do you see? If you’re looking for something more industrial, Moss Denver, Ironworks Denver, Mile High Station, and Skylight all offer unique spaces with exposed brick, high ceilings, and a stylish, modern feel. Looking for more of a historic feel? Union Station, Grant-Humphreys Mansion, and the Oxford Hotel provide elegant settings with classic architecture and timeless charm. If florals are your focus, the Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms offer serene and picturesque settings surrounded by nature, with plenty of colorful blooms. 

Want something totally unique? Try the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Space Gallery, or the Ramble Hotel. These places provide unique and memorable backdrops perfect for Denver brides looking for something a little less traditional. Or, if you want to stay true to the Rocky Mountain State, Brittany Hill by Wedgewood Weddings and The Pines by Wedgewood Weddings offer second-to-none views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains. 

Denver Wedding Vendors

With your location in place, it’s time to start building the vibe. And Denver has something for everyone! Catered receptions can be both personal and elegant with companies like Silver Spoons, Serendipity, or Catering by Design. Or go for the fun factor with food trucks like Farm to Truck, True Love Tacos, Mountain Crust, or The Brutal Poodle. And for dessert? Love Pop, Little Man Ice Cream, and The Treatery all bring their own unique flavor and style to your wedding. 

Denver brides can build their dream days around beautiful details, like gorgeous linens from Event Rents, The Wildflower Denver, or BBJ La Tavola, whose showrooms feature a variety of colors and textures to maximize visual impact. Plum Sage Flowers, Beet & Yarrow Florist or The Perfect Petal can bring even more color to your tables and bouquets, and businesses like A Touch of Bliss, First Look Events or Brindle + Oak can help you plan and pull it all together. 

Denver Wedding Activities

Why stop at a wedding day when Denver can host a perfect wedding weekend? Or week! Plan activities for your guests like visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, or catch a Rockies, Nuggets, Broncos, or Avalanche game. Head to the nearby Keystone, Breckenridge or Winter Park resorts to hit the slopes after your nuptials. Or shop and dine your way through the weekend at the 16th Street Mall, Denver Pavilions or Free Market. 

BONUS: Tips and Tricks for Denver Brides

Tip 1: Consider the season. Denver can experience the seasons to their fullest, so choose a wedding date that aligns with your preference for locations and activities. 

Tip 2: Book your venue and vendors well in advance. Denver is a big city with a big wedding industry. It’s why we love a Denver wedding! But that also means people and places are in demand, and you’ll want to get your big day on their calendars while it’s still available. I’m currently booking 2026 weddings, and I’d love to unpack your vision! Click here to start the conversation. I’d love to capture your event with images that make your heart swell.

Tip 3: Make a detailed budget, and prioritize what matters most. With so much to choose from in Denver, it’s easy to want it all! As a couple, sit down and decide what’s important to you on your big day. If venue and photography outweigh floral arrangements and food, then adjust your plans accordingly. 

Tip 4: Enjoy the process! Planning a wedding can feel like a lot, but it’s also the first step in your journey to a long and happy marriage. Try to savor the experience!