How to make your Italian Wedding Feast a showstopper!
Photographer: Elina Upmane
Food lovers beware - an Italian wedding is going to have you eating so well you and your wedding party will never want to leave! Italy and gastronomy are truly a match made in pasta heaven (we know there’s so much more to Italian cuisine than just pasta!).
We caught up with the extremely talented Vera Dusaj, President at Giovannini Enterprises to chat food trends this season to make sure your meal is a sensation.
What’s hot in food right now?
“Show cooking! Everyone is ready to break away from the buffet style aperitivo and see their food made before their eyes. Things like a flash-fry corner, making fresh pasta from scratch and even mozzarella!”
What are couples choosing for this season’s weddings?
“Champagne towers are constantly requested now as well as carts, APE vans and spritz - always aperol spritz!”
Are couples choosing traditional Italian cakes or cake from their home country?
“Everyone is really excited about the Millefoglie in bellavista. They enjoy that it is a break from the norm and something new! Most guests have not seen a wedding cake crafted live on site, and everyone agrees it is delicious!”
Welcome Drinks
This is a pre-ceremony refresher. Many catering companies offer this as a gratuity extra and it tends to be flavoured waters, juices or perhaps something stronger like Prosecco if you’re keen to get the party started early!
Bar APE: Event in Bar
Aperitivo
After the ceremony your guests will enjoy cold drinks and be served light bites. Drinks may include Prosecco, juices, beers, wine or spritz. Why not have them served out of an Ape? Accompanied by canapés, self serve stations of cold meats and cheeses. To keep your day flowing (and to prevent guests getting too tipsy!), we suggest this part of the day lasts around 1.5hrs. Remember to have water available too - that Italian sun is a hot one!
LL tip: we are loving ‘show cooking’ - mozzarella being made in front of you, cold meats carved as guests watch. Bellissima!
Caterer: Tuscan Excelsia
Antipasti
As guests take their seats, the table will be awash with ‘oooooo’- worthy delicacies. Think sharing platters of cold meats, burrata, wrapped melon, juicy red tomato & cold vegetable salads. It is very much a help yourself course, so let everyone dive in.
LL tip: If your wedding is coastal, seafood can be king of this course.
Photo: Stephan & Nakita
Primo Piatto
What is an Italian wedding without pasta - time to showcase Italy’s legendary gastronomy! Whether you choose the ravioli, the spaghetti, gnocchi or risotto for this course this is such traditional fare.
LL tip: This course is fairly small - don’t panic! if you have 2 primi, alternate flavours and pasta shapes.
Secondo Piatto
Meat and fish are the stars of this course. The choice is yours (and your caterer) as to what to serve here, either will be paired with vegetables. Think traditional wedding meal here but more refined.
LL tip: Have a tasting - don’t turn down an opportunity to try some of this exceptional food when visiting Italy on a pre-wedding scouting trip! And trust your caterer when they recommend which dishes work well together.
Caterer: Rotondo | Venue: Masseria Grieco
Dolce, caffe + cake
A little sweet treat to finish this sensational feast. Whether you opt for a zesty lemon taste bud cleanser or a traditional, rich classic like a tiramisu - in Italy your guests will not be disappointed!
And don’t forget il cafe!
The cake is is another opportunity to stop the show! Have your chef build the millefolgie, whilst your guests watch on in mouth-watering wonderment!
LL tip: Have your cake served as dessert after you’ve hand finished it.
Photo: Colin Ross | Caterer: L'Aurora Catering
Hungry for more? Come and check out our fabulous catering suppliers on La Lista…you’re in safe hands as we only list ones we highly recommend. Why not find out what other Italian wedding couples are serving up at their weddings over on our Facebook group? We have over 700 Italian wedding couples in exactly the same planning shoes as you!
Written by Emily Jennings, marketing person and wedding day-dreamer; lover of a boho vibe and a wedding night filled with a thousand lights.
