According to leading wedding planning website The Knot, popular wedding dining will include nostalgic, crowd-pleasing items, more inclusive menus that cater to guests’ dietary concerns, and foods that can be customized.

At The Knot’s annual gala, these wedding food trends were highlighted. Comfort foods are replacing high-end bites and fancy hors d’oeuvres, as they appeal to a larger number of people and tastes. For instance, grilled cheese stations have become extremely popular in recent years, as have chicken and burger sliders.

With the changing dietary restrictions of a portion of the population, wedding foods are reflecting that. Plant-based or vegetarian options have become increasingly important, as well as gluten-free items.

Customized foods are also becoming popular at wedding receptions. Creative menus with a variety of customizable offerings allow every guest to enjoy the culinary experience. Pizza with choose-your-own-toppings can be a unique addition to the menu, as can things such as the aforementioned grilled cheese station or a dessert station with customizable elements.

“We love how thoughtful and purposeful today’s couples are in planning their wedding celebrations. Along with their designers and planners, couples continue to think creatively and deliberately as they plan a wedding that thoughtfully reflects their unique love story,” says Kristen Maxwell Cooper, editor in chief of The Knot.

“As a professional event planner and designer, I have the privilege of collaborating with couples and clients to bring their true selves and event visions to life, helping them thoughtfully put their own twists on conventional wedding traditions and details,” says Jove Meyer, creative director and owner of Jove Meyer Events and the planner and designer of The Knot Gala 2019.