During 20 years’ in the catering business, there aren’t many catering wedding trends Cardiff-based Emma Jenkins hasn’t seen come and go - from on table carving, to bangers and mash and local food fads – but one that is increasing in popularity this year is pintxo.
Pintxos are basically mini tapas. Originating from Northern Spain, they are the perfect light bite bursting with flavours, which plays to strength of single quality ingredients.
An informal bite, pintxo are leading the way in the laid-back wedding world, where couples are keen for a less regimented wedding, with no sit-down meals and rigid table plans.
Emma explained: “British charcuterie is really taking off and the quality of the product is really high. Many small British producers really care about how they source and produce their goods, such as how it is smoked, hung etc, and so when we come to make pintxo we have a great choice of produce.
The leading catering wedding trends
“Pintxo, along with tapas and sharing platters, is leading the way in catering wedding trends this season. It seems that grooms are getting much more involved in decisions being made about weddings these days and so they are going for a much less formal affair.
“Plated main courses with bowls of salads placed along the table, edible bowls made by oven baking flat breads and filling with light bites, are complementing the trend for more stripped back weddings, with less table lay outs, less three-piece suits and a much more casual suits, bare feet and informal food.”
Emma added: “Naked wedding cakes are things we’ve seen in recent years and it seems like the theme for stripping down formality and pomp and circumstance is making its way into the rest of the wedding breakfast.”
Emma explained that there has been a surge in new wedding venues opening up in the south Wales areas in the past few years, many of which offer a blank canvas for couples to add their own style and personality to their wedding – rather than the typical hotel wedding, which sometimes have rigid table plans and only certain things they can change to suit a couple’s requirements.
Emma says that couples should think about the style of wedding reception they are looking for before booking a venue – as that should have a big bearing on what kind of venue you book: “If you want a much more informal event, then look at those venues which offer external caterers who can give you the menus you want, as well as introduce you to some other suppliers who will be able to create the perfect reception.
“Consider how much organising you want to do yourself – if you’re happy to take on the work you can really create and individual event, which will suit you and your partner – but if time is tight and you like a traditional formal wedding, then look for venues which are used to running weddings week in week out and offer wedding packages.
“Here at EJ Catering, we pride ourselves on taking the time to get to know the couple we are working with, what they like, what makes them tick and, have in the past, even created courses from old family recipes, as well a looking at the venue they have booked and design a menu to suit.”
So, whether it’s Spanish finger food, a formal dinner, or an all-out Hawaiian style BBQ you’re looking for your big day, make sure you have a caterer that understands you and your partner and the vibe you’re trying to create, to achieve the wedding breakfast you are striving for.
By wedding caterer Emma Jenkins from EJ Catering.
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