The new look of wedding food

The innovations changing American’s dining styles are being adopted by caterers and wedding planners, as farm-to-table and sustainable approaches are increasingly being incorporated in reception fare.

5 Seconds

00:00

Avocado corn salsa served in bite-size tortilla cups, from La Prima Catering.

La Prima Catering / LA PRIMA CATERING

Portobello mushroom salad with whole grain cakes, from La Prima Catering.

/ La Prima Catering

Swiss chard that grows in La Prima's organic garden.

/ La Prima Catering

Halibut With Celeriac Puree and Green Apple Ragout <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2012/07/11/halibut-celeriac-puree-and-apple-ragout/'>(recipe)</a>

Halibut With Celeriac Puree and Green Apple Ragout (recipe)

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Chocolate Tamales (recipe)

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Salmon Carpaccio Tower (recipe)

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Wine and cheese from Peter Callahan Catering.

Bethalee Photography / Peter Callahan Catering

Some caterers, like Peter Callahan Catering, set up stations where mixologists make unique drinks to order.

Ross Whitaker / ROSS WHITAKER

Sangria Salad from Peter Callahan Catering.

Mel & Co / Peter Callahan Catering

A hanging buffet from Peter Callahan Catering.

Phil Kramer / Peter Callahan Catering

Caramelized Mushroom Tarts from Peter Callahan Catering.

Mel & Co / Peter Callahan Catering

Pigs in a Blanket Two Ways from Peter Callahan Catering.

Faith West / Peter Callahan Catering

Caviar Cracker Engagement Rings from Peter Callahan Catering.

Christian Oth / Peter Callahan Catering

Potted Shrimp from Peter Callahan Catering.

Mel & Co. / Peter Callahan Catering

Beets, feta, blood orange and pistachio nuts on tasting spoons by Diane Gordon Catering.

Marina Senra / Diane Gordon Catering

Assorted signature canapes by Diane Gordon Catering.

Miha Matei / Diane Gordon Catering

Charcuterie: Edwards’ “Surryano” Heritage Ham, Surry, Va., by Occasions Caterers.

Molly M. Peterson / Occasions Caterers

A set-up for specialty cocktails by Occasions Caterers.

Photo by Dean Alexander / Occasions Caterers

Salad of white asparagus spears with fava beans, yellow beets, Brussels sprout leaves and fresh corn shoots. Garnished with toasted sunflower seeds and lemon pearls.

Pepe Gomez Pixelme Studios / Occasions Caterers

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 18: Jockey Gary Stevens rides Oxbow out to the front of the pack on the first straight away during the 138th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., on Saturday, May 18, 2013. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

Oxbow wins and infield fun at Preakness Stakes in Baltimore

Oxbow put D. Wayne Lukas in the record books again with an upset of Orb in the Preakness, giving the Hall of Fame trainer his 14th win in a Triple...

Graduating students' with rain soaked mortar boards from a driving rain, listen as US President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address during a ceremony at Morehouse College on May 19, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Obama addresses Morehouse College graduates

President Obama gets personal about race and manhood in a speech to graduates of historically black Morehouse College.

Carly Rae Jepsen arrives on the red carpet at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Billboard Music Awards 2013 red carpet

Stars float down the red carpet in Las Vegas. Performers at the event include Prince, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Miguel, Selena Gomez, Christina...

New York Yankees' Travis Hafner bats during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 12, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

MLB power rankings

Barry Svrluga assesses the best teams in Major League Baseball through Thursday.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Eager to minister, but not from the pulpit

An increasing number of divinity students who don’t plan to become pastors envision using their degrees to “minister” in a...

epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

Photos of the day

Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Candice Glover wins 12th season of ‘American Idol’

The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse from St. Helena Island, S.C., tops competition in her third try.

US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Claire Julien, David Hasselhoff, Freida Pinto, Candice Glover, Martin Short and more.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.