Gone are the days of cookie-cutter weddings. Couples today want their celebration to feel like a deeply personal expression of their love story, and hyper-personalization is the key. From signature cocktails that reflect their favorite flavors to monogrammed napkins and unique menus that feature family recipes or cultural cuisines, every detail is an opportunity for storytelling.
Planning a wedding means crafting a day that’s as unique as the love it celebrates. For Marc Weber and his team at ONTHEMARC, this means delivering culinary experiences that are nothing short of unforgettable. Drawing from Marc’s extensive expertise, we’ve rounded up the top 8 wedding catering trends for 2025—complete with Marc’s take on whether these trends will endure, evolve, or fade. Whether you’re a soon-to-be-wed couple or just a wedding enthusiast, these insights will keep you ahead of the curve.
“Everything we do is bespoke. We’ve built our reputation on tailoring every detail to our clients’ needs,” Marc Weber says. “When you find vendors that speak your language, it’s fulfilling for both sides.”
This trend isn’t just about the couple, though—it extends to creating tailored experiences for guests as well. For example, some weddings now include personalized seating cards with notes for each attendee or customized thank-you gifts tied to the event’s theme. Food, naturally, is a central part of this personalization, with couples choosing dishes that hold special meaning, like a dish from their first date or a family-favorite dessert.
1. Hyper-Personalization
Top 8 Wedding Catering Trends for 2025: Insights from ONTHEMARC’s Marc Weber
Verdict: Here to stay—and likely to become even more detailed.
Grazing tables, with their abundant spreads of cheeses, charcuterie, fresh fruits, and more, have become an iconic feature at weddings. Their appeal lies not only in their visual impact but also in their versatility. These tables serve as conversation starters, bringing guests together to enjoy a communal dining experience, and they can be tailored to fit any wedding style.
Couples are elevating this trend by incorporating high-quality, locally sourced ingredients or adding unique twists such as dessert-themed grazing tables or seafood displays. Presentation also plays a huge role, with couples working with their caterers to design visually stunning layouts that reflect their wedding’s aesthetic.
2. Grazing Tables
“It’s essentially a really big cheese and meat platter,” Marc shares. “I appreciate the simplicity, but for me, it’s more about the quality of the ingredients than the spectacle.”
While grazing tables are relatively easy to execute, achieving the perfect balance of aesthetic appeal and ingredient quality requires expertise. Guests expect not just a beautiful setup but also fresh, delicious options that reflect the couple’s attention to detail.
Verdict: Here to stay, evolving with creative, high-quality ingredients.
Weddings can have a significant environmental footprint, and more couples are looking for ways to make their big day greener. This trend encompasses everything from plant-based menus and locally sourced ingredients to eco-friendly décor and waste-reduction strategies. For example, compostable cutlery, reusable table settings, and flower donations are becoming popular choices among eco-conscious couples.
However, while sustainability is an important issue, it hasn’t yet become a widespread priority in wedding planning. This presents a major opportunity for growth. Couples who embrace this trend are not only making a positive environmental impact but also setting an example for their guests and communities.
3. Environmental Sustainability
Interactive food stations are all about adding a sense of fun and excitement to the wedding dining experience. From build-your-own taco bars to live pasta stations, these setups allow guests to engage with the food and create a personalized dining experience.
One of the biggest challenges with action stations is managing logistics. Long lines or inefficient setups can detract from the guest experience, so careful planning is essential. That’s why caterers like ONTHEMARC focus on streamlining these stations to minimize wait times while still delivering fresh, delicious food.
4. Action Stations
“We focus on mitigating lines and elevating the guest experience,” Marc notes. “For example, instead of omelet stations, we offer frittata bars—still customizable but much more efficient.”
Couples love action stations because they create memorable moments and give their guests a chance to enjoy food that feels special and unique. Whether it’s a ramen bar, a sushi station, or a dessert crepe station, these interactive setups are sure to impress.
Verdict: Here to stay, with more streamlined setups.
Traditional tiered wedding cakes will always have a place in wedding celebrations, but many couples are branching out to include more creative and diverse dessert options. From donut walls to dessert tables showcasing an array of mini pastries, these alternative approaches add a playful and personal touch to the reception.
“We’ve seen everything from 12-tier cakes to curated tastings with desserts from all over New York,” Marc recalls. “It’s an artistic statement for some.”
5. Alternative Desserts
Alternative desserts also allow couples to showcase regional specialties or tie in cultural traditions, such as including baklava at a Mediterranean-inspired wedding or mochi at an Asian-themed event. These setups not only delight guests but also offer endless opportunities for creative presentation.
After-parties are becoming just as important as the main event, giving couples and their guests a chance to unwind and celebrate in a more casual setting. These late-night gatherings often feature comfort food like sliders, tacos, or milkshake stations, along with lively entertainment to keep the energy high.
“It’s a marathon for our team, but guests love it,” Marc says. “From burgers to French fries, late-night snacks are now a must-have.”
6. After-Parties
The after-party trend reflects a shift in how couples view their wedding day. Rather than sticking to a rigid schedule, they’re embracing opportunities to extend the celebration and create more memories with their closest friends and family.
In today’s social media-driven world, weddings are becoming as much about creating shareable moments as they are about celebrating love. From champagne towers to elaborate tablescapes, these carefully designed details are meant to “wow” guests and look stunning in photos.
“Champagne towers look great but often aren’t practical,” Marc cautions. “We guide our clients toward successful, visually striking options that actually work.”
7. Instagram-Ready Moments
Couples are working closely with their vendors to balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring their wedding is as enjoyable as it is photogenic. Whether it’s a floral archway, a dessert wall, or a dramatic lighting display, these moments are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Traditional sit-down dinners are no longer the default for modern weddings. Couples are exploring alternative formats, such as extended cocktail hours with roaming appetizers or family-style meals that encourage interaction and flexibility.
“We’re hearing more about non-traditional weddings with roaming setups,” Marc says. “It’s a modern way to let guests enjoy the best parts of the event.”
8. Non-Traditional Formats
These non-traditional approaches are perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel more like a party than a formal event. They also allow for more creative menu options and relaxed seating arrangements, giving guests a chance to move freely and enjoy the celebration.
Verdict: Likely to grow as couples break from tradition.
Weddings in 2025 are all about individuality, creativity, and meaningful moments. As Marc Weber aptly puts it, “It’s just one day. Pick your battles and focus on what really matters.” Whether you’re planning a timeless ceremony or a cutting-edge celebration, staying ahead of these trends ensures an unforgettable day.
Looking for bespoke catering solutions? Contact ONTHEMARC today to turn your dream wedding into a culinary masterpiece.
Final Thoughts
“It surprises me how little demand there still is for sustainable practices in weddings,” Marc observes. “I hate waste, and I hope to see this trend grow.”
For couples looking to adopt eco-friendly practices, working closely with vendors who share their values is key. Caterers like ONTHEMARC are uniquely positioned to offer innovative solutions that reduce waste without compromising on quality or presentation.
Verdict: Slowly evolving with room for wider adoption.
By offering a variety of dessert options, couples can ensure that every guest finds something they love, making this trend both practical and memorable.
Verdict: Here to stay, as couples continue to redefine “traditional.”
Verdict: Growing in importance as a staple of modern weddings.
Verdict: Here to stay, with greater focus on functionality.
