If you want your destination wedding to be the talk of the town, then focus on the food—because everyone knows the way to a guest’s heart is through their stomach. At the end of it all, once you’ve said “I do,” your guests are ready to party! They start to move from the ceremony to cocktail hour and finally to the reception, where the real fun begins—eating, dancing and celebrating your big day 🥂💍.

We spoke with James Verlinden, Director of Food and Beverage at Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, California, who also happens to be a destination wedding pro himself, having tied the knot in stunning Puglia, Italy. He dished out some amazing secrets to make your wedding menu unforgettable, and we wanted to share it all with you. Here’s how you can impress your guests and create a culinary experience they'll never forget.

Start by Planning a Memorable Food Menu

First off, let’s get creative with your food. Here are some pro-tips James shared that you can incorporate in your destination wedding: 

Try Family-Style Dining

When we asked James about the latest trends in wedding dining, he was quick to highlight the benefits of going family-style. Imagine long, stylish tables decked out with big, irresistible platters of food that are just waiting to be shared. It’s the kind of set up that instantly warms up the room, making your guests feel welcome and ready to dive into a delicious feast. Plus, there’s something special about everyone helping themselves and striking up conversations over your destination wedding menu—like one big, happy family.

Why Family-Style Dining is a Hit Among Guests 

• Interactive Experience: Passing dishes around the table gets guests chatting and mingling, making for a lively and social atmosphere. 

• More Variety: Unlike a set menu, family-style dining lets you serve a broad variety and options, so everyone can try a little bit of everything. 

• Local Flavor: Highlight the unique tastes of your wedding destination by featuring fresh, local ingredients and regional recipes. It’s a delicious way to celebrate your special location.

Opt for Food Stations Over Traditional Courses

James had us rethinking the whole sit-down dinner thing with his love for interactive food stations. Why stick to the old-school way when you can let your guests roam free, picking and choosing what they want, when they want? Think live cooking stations, where your guests can watch pasta being made from scratch or build their dream taco with all the toppings. It’s like an adventure at your wedding, and who doesn’t love a little adventure with their dinner?

Food stations bring a buzz to the party, with everyone chatting about what they tried and what they’re going back for seconds of. Imagine starter stations with tapas, sushi bars, or antipasti tables. James swears by these setups, especially since he wowed his own guests with a fabulous antipasti station featuring fresh mozzarella and piping hot Italian panzerotti made right in front of everyone at his wedding!

Go Hyper-Local with Your Menu

One of the best parts of your destination wedding is that you’re not just getting married somewhere beautiful—you’re giving your guests a taste of the local culture. His top advice? Go all-in on a hyper-local menu that showcases the best ingredients and traditional dishes from your destination. 

So, how do you pull off this hyper-local magic? One idea is to start with the drinks. Choose regional wines from nearby vineyards to add a personal touch to your celebration. Your guests will love savoring the unique flavors of the region, and a great conversation starter.

And don’t forget the spirits! Featuring local spirits in your cocktail menu not only adds a unique twist but also gives your guests a sip of the local culture. Whether it’s a craft gin or a rum distilled just down the road, it’s all about making your wedding feel authentically rooted in your destination. 

James also mentioned the benefits of embracing a 0 km menu. If your venue has its own farm or food production on-site, you’re in luck! This means you can create a sustainable menu using the freshest local ingredients, ensuring your guests enjoy  high-quality, flavorful dishes while you do your part to support local agriculture. Plus, it’s a pretty cool bragging point—”Oh, the salad? Yeah, the lettuce was picked just this morning right here on the farm.”

Get Creative With Your Drink Menu

What about the drinks? After your guests have enjoyed their meals, it’s time to focus on the bar—the real heart of the party. James suggests that a creative drink menu is key to making your destination wedding truly unforgettable, so here are his top tips for planning a creative drink menu:

Shake Things Up With An Interactive Bar

Make the bar the star of the evening by adding some interactive flair. His first tip? Ditch the long lines by putting cocktails on tap—easy, breezy, and keeps the drinks flowing. But if you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not let your guests play bartender for the night? He swears that an interactive bar where guests can mix and pour their own concoctions is a surefire way to keep the party going. It’s a fun, hands-on twist that’ll have everyone talking (and sipping) well into the night.

Themed Cocktail Bars That Wow

Tip #2: Add some fun to your drink menu by including themes to your cocktail bar. There are many ways you can do this, so get creative—but here are a few ideas James has seen work well in the past:

• Smoked Cocktail Bar: Imagine impressing your guests with a smoked old-fashioned bar. Different wood chips create unique flavors, making each sip feel like a cozy campfire in a glass. He said it’s a guaranteed conversation starter!

• Martini Bar: How about a martini bar with a twist—literally? Guests can mix and match garnishes, from classic olives to something a bit more unexpected, creating their perfect cocktail.

Include Unique Toasts and Welcome Amenities

When it comes to your welcome bag, aim for items that guests will actually use and enjoy. James suggests surprising them with unique toast options. For example, why not include champagne toasts? He said that handing out mini bottles of champagne for toasts instead of constantly refilling glasses has been a fun one in the past! They’re cute, classy, and perfect for a quick toast on the go. 

Another creative idea: including bottled cocktails in your welcome bag. Why not create custom bottled cocktails or bottles featuring your wedding details? He said that these types of creative surprises make great welcome gifts and really let guests enjoy your wedding drinks whenever they like.

Kick Off The Party With a Fun Welcome Drink Bar

James also emphasized the importance of kicking off the party with a memorable welcome drink bar and shared one really cool idea. Consider serving up cocktails straight from a watermelon—it’s a drink and a show all in one, and who doesn’t love the idea of sipping from a giant fruit bowl? What about a mojito station, complete with a selection of rums, fresh mint, and tropical fruits, allowing guests to mix and match to create their perfect minty masterpiece.

Don’t Forget About the Dessert Bar!

Looking to add a bit more flair beyond your delicious menu and creative bar? Don’t worry—James says there’s also dessert! After your guests have danced their socks off, they’ll definitely be craving that sweet finale.

Skip the Cake—Go for an Ice Cream Cart

First up, he suggests ditching the traditional wedding cake and going for something a bit more playful—an ice cream cart! Imagine your guests lining up to choose from a variety of flavors and toppings, perfect for a summer wedding. It’s a fun, nostalgic touch that’s bound to be a hit.

Set Up a Decadent Dessert Station

For those who want to get a bit more interactive, set up a dessert station where guests can create their own sweet treats. Think make-your-own sundaes, mini pastries, or even a crepe station. It’s a bit like letting everyone loose in a candy store, and who wouldn’t love that?

Keep the Party Going with Midnight Munchies

As the night goes on, you might want to think about offering some late-night snacks, or as James calls them, “midnight munchies.” He loves the idea of a hog roast with all the trimmings—perfect for soaking up those drinks and keeping the party going. Plus, it’s a cozy option that works especially well for winter weddings.

And here’s a fun twist—why not surprise your guests with breakfast for dinner? For his own wedding in Italy, he had chocolate-filled croissants at midnight that had just been freshly baked! This worked out so well and kept the guests happy after all the celebrating they had just done.

After chatting with James, one thing is clear: the key to an amazing destination wedding is all in the food and drinks.

Whether you’re serving up family-style meals that bring everyone together or setting up fun, interactive food stations, these little touches can make your wedding day truly stand out.

His advice is all about adding personal touches—like going for local flavors, creating themed cocktail bars, or surprising your guests with a cool dessert station. The idea is to make your menu not just about eating, but about creating memories that your guests will love and talk about for years.

So, take his tips and have fun with your menu! Make it personal, embrace the local vibe, and enjoy the process. Your destination wedding is all about celebrating your love, and what better way to do that than by serving up a delicious experience that everyone will remember?

Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.