With the new year underway, food and beverage experts are beginning to notice some new event/wedding trends taking flight. It seems as though people are focusing more on food displays and promoting wellness with creative beverages, adult bounce houses and even a new purple soft-serve ice cream flavor.

Below, you will find a list of unique trends identified by the experts at Bill Hansen Luxe and Constellation Culinary Group.

Image by Gabi Alves

Creative Beverage Displays 

Constellation Culinary Group, the exclusive catering company for the Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach has noticed a few new trends emerge but also some disappear. It seems as though couples are looking to bring that ‘wow’ factor to their weddings with over-the-top beverage displays and activities. The Constellation team has seen edible smoke bubble cocktails as a consistent request for 2023 weddings. The bubbles are edible so guests can taste the alcohol or flavor as they take a sip of the drink. Champagne towers are also making a comeback. The classic fashion visual is returning to set the high-end vibe on a couple’s special day.

Photo courtesy of The Dana Agency

Snap & Sip Cocktail

Bill Hansen Luxe is hitting a whole new level of personalization at weddings with the Snap & Sip Cocktail. The drink garnish is an edible printed image floating on a cocktail that can be customized with any shot. Some couples add images of themselves, others print pictures of their guests to make them feel included on the memorable day. This Instagram-worthy party trick adds a unique touch to the cocktail hour giving guests something to buzz about. 

Activities for your Inner Child

Constellation Culinary Group at the Norton Museum of Art has also noticed one unique idea – adult bounce houses. The return of every kid’s favorite birthday celebration makes its way to adult events. This fun activity is the best way for guests to unleash their inner child.

Photo by Kanawa Studio

Food & Drink Options to Promote Wellness

Couples are starting to incorporate food and drink options to promote wellness on their special day.  Constellation Culinary Group, the official caterer for the Pérez Art Museum Miami, has noticed couples integrating sustainable foods by offering products from local food vendors. The catering brand has also seen a rise of grazing tables with vegan and plant base options. The colorful feast allows for a multitude of options without the commitment to two or three dinner choices. PAMM is also seeing an increase in creative mocktails to cater to guests looking to abstain from alcohol. Kombucha is also making a presence in the wedding scene. The CCG team is seeing couples offer the healthy beverage as a healthy alternative to soda, projecting that it will soon develop into a cocktail.

Ube Flavored Everything

A unique purple sweet potato is sneaking its way into almost every food aspect you could think of. The Real Simple explains the ube flavor to be even sweeter, more mellow taste than an orange. The Constellation Culinary team notes that ube-flavored anything is emerging in weddings as it is known to be high in healthy carbs, vitamins, fiber and extra-high levels of antioxidants. This new ingredient is being transformed into sweet treats like doughnuts and even soft serve ice cream.

Photo by Yevhenii Khil

Butter Boards 

Charcuterie boards are getting a new addition to the traditional cheese and ham assortment. The team at Constellation at PAMM has noticed that Butter Boards are an easy and flavorful way to give guests a creamy topping to their appetizer and the toppings are endless. For a sweet and spicy kick, guests can add a chili drizzle with honey topped over the butter, as well roasted garlic, lemon zest and herbs galore.