The 7 catering trends of 2026 that will set the tone and flavour of your wedding reception

04/12/2025 09:00 | Trends

Are you getting married in 2026? Then you undoubtedly want the food at your wedding reception to be memorable too. In 2026, catering will go beyond taste alone. Experience, sustainability and originality will also be key. In this article, you will discover the best wedding catering trends of 2026!

Photos (above, from left to right): Catering: Ma Kwizien - Photographer: SVP Photography / Catering: Food in Style - Photographer: Lauranne Verfaillie / Catering: J&M Catering - Photographer: Stijn Vanderdeelen

1. Tailor-made food experience: interactive, informal and stylish

Catering at weddings in 2026 will revolve around a unique total experience. Classic three-course menus are increasingly making way for more informal and interactive concepts. Think of sharing dishes, live cooking on an Ofyr, pizzas from a wood-fired oven or a stylish walking dinner.

Popular catering formulas in 2026 are:

Oyster or charcuterie bars during the reception;
Show cooking at the table or on a centrally placed Ofyr;
Food trucks with pizza ovens or high-quality street food;
Dessert tables with lots of miniature pastries;
Late-night snacks on the dance floor (croques, burgers, chips, etc.).

These catering options create a relaxed atmosphere and encourage guests to socialise.

2. Sustainable choices

The catering trends of 2026 fit seamlessly with the broader “eco-chic” wedding trend of 2026. More and more couples are consciously choosing caterers who work locally, cook seasonally and limit their ecological footprint.

What to expect:

Locally produced, organic and seasonal ingredients;
A wider range of vegetarian or vegan menus, or even entirely vegetarian or vegan menus;
Zero-waste catering;
Prevention of food waste, for example through carefully calculated portions or donated surpluses.

These conscious choices make your catering more sustainable and, on top of that, often more flavourful and personal.

3. Vegetables as the star of the plate

Plant-based cuisine continues to grow, and this will also be reflected in the wedding menu in 2026. Vegetables are no longer a side dish, but are creatively presented as the star of the plate. Colour, texture and taste are central to this.

We see:

Full-fledged and surprising vegetarian dishes;
Vegan versions of classics;
Grilled, roasted and baked vegetables as showstoppers;
Local vegetables in modern applications (think cauliflower “steaks”, leek cream or celeriac chips).

This trend responds to the demand for healthy, light and more sustainable food, without compromising on festivity.

4. Worldly flavours with a Belgian twist

Fusion catering will continue to gain ground in 2026. Many caterers are combining flavours from world cuisine with local Belgian products. Think of street food from Japan with Flemish vegetables, or tacos with Belgian beef tartare and pickles.

Typical combinations in 2026 will include:

Oriental-inspired bowls with local fish or tofu;
Mediterranean mezze with Belgian cheeses;
Asian sauces with seasonal vegetables from here;
Middle Eastern or Mediterranean influences in buffet style.

This way, you can give your wedding party a cosmopolitan edge while still working with local products.

5. Personalised catering: your story on the plate

Tailor-made menus are becoming increasingly important in the catering trends of 2026. More and more top caterers are keen to create a story with you, in which your favourite flavours, meaningful dishes or cultural background play a role. The result is a tailor-made wedding menu that really says something about who you are.

Examples:

Couples with different roots bring their cuisines together;
Dishes with a link to the place where the marriage proposal took place or your favourite travel destination;
Courses or drinks with a name or special meaning.

This creates original catering that is also moving and unforgettable for your guests.

6. Mocktails & alcohol-free pairing

More and more couples are opting for a partially alcohol-free drinks menu. Mocktails, alcohol-free gin and tonics and options for pairing with tea or kombucha are becoming more common alongside alcoholic drinks, both as aperitifs and with dinner.

What you will see:

In addition to cocktails, personalised mocktails based on your story;
Mobile cocktail and mocktail bars or juice bars with fresh herbs and seasonal fruit;
Non-alcoholic alternatives with every course, as a conscious choice or supplement.

In 2026, non-alcoholic will no longer be an alternative, but a fully-fledged option.

7. Mini bites & flexible portions

Finally, for your wedding catering in 2026, the concept of small, refined dishes will be popular. Mini bites are flexible and allow guests to discover different flavours. It is also useful if your catering, for example in the form of small bites or a buffet, can be adapted to various dietary requirements.

Hot in 2026:

Small savoury dishes in buffet form or during a walking dinner;
Mix & match menus where guests choose from small portions;
Mini desserts as a buffet or circulating;
Luxury bites on the dance floor (e.g. salmon tartare in a cornetto).

This approach creates a dynamic and personal dining experience.

In summary

The wedding catering trends of 2026 focus on experience and are entirely tailored to your story. Whether you opt for a refined plant-based menu, a lively live cooking show or a buffet full of worldly flavours, there is plenty of room for creativity and taste.

Are you looking for a caterer who will really add flavour to your party? Find the best catering partners for your wedding here

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