A few years ago, you may have heard the term “farm to table” in the same sentence as “wedding” and assumed that such a pairing would only exist in certain rural, mountainous, or more down-home venues. You might have imagined a more laid-back bride and groom who probably didn’t work or live in a big city.
These days, of course, it seems that both cooking and eating out is all about the farmer’s market, sourcing local ingredients, and most likely eating meat, dairy, and other organic products from a farm not too far away from where you’re sitting.
Today, many caterers and vendors may use terms like “fresh and local” to describe their ingredients, products, and flowers, as more and more people are joining the movement of producing and consuming locally grown food and products.
And many brides and grooms are shunning the traditional wedding reception dinner, for which guests are often given the option of meat or fish. Instead, some weddings feature tasting menus with wine pairings; as a guest, you may just be served a dish featuring a piece of beef, lamb, and fish, for example – all from local farms, of course.
With farmer’s markets now abundant in most suburbs and cities, farm to table menus are accessible from almost anywhere. Let’s say a bride or groom chooses to create a farm-like setting in a suburban back yard or on the roof deck of a high rise in the city.
In this case, the farm to table theme can be carried through as much by decor as by menu.
Here are a few simple ways to incorporate the trend:
- Seat your guests “family-style” at a few long “farm” tables instead of the typical eight or ten tops
- Incorporate herbs and colorful vegetables into floral arrangements
- Use vegetables names or types of animals to identify tables
- Use or rent vintage crystal, china, or linen
- When in doubt, use candles and lanterns – on the tables or hanging on the outskirts
- Use small chalkboards or whimsical fonts
- Instead of benches, use hay bales
- Research local farms near your wedding venue to ensure you’re providing the freshest food available.
