Feasts for the ages: Couples are splurging on elevated epicurean dining

More couples today are opting for weddings that are feasts for both the eyes and palate.“I’m seeing a big uptick in couples thinking of weddings in a different way — more as a beautiful dinner party or restaurant supper club experience,” said Cameron Forbes, founder of Forbes Functions, a New York City-based boutique event-planning company.“Food and beverage have become storytelling tools and a central part of guest experience, akin to entertainment, florals and décor.”And, in New York City, where people are food savvy, “Traditional wedding food is dated.Rather than the underwhelming chicken or fish banquet meal or older model of passed hors d’oeuvres, with a seated, plated meal and big cake, a lot of couples want restaurant-level creativity.”The impact of social media on weddings is also influencing the trend, said Forbes.“Couples are considering how things will photograph online,” she added.

“They want a way to tell their story and get more personal — to curate moments for guests to interact and enjoy.”Instagram influencers have changed the entire event world, echoed Brandon Grimila, co-founder of Promises Kept Events in Esopus, New York.The culinary collective focuses on seasonality, locality and service for any size or event.

Grimila’s chef background includes stints at the Culinary Institute of America and Manhattan’s Bar Boulud and the Dutch eateries.“We’re scanning online trends and photos all the time,” he said.“Someone styles their shots to make them look good.

For us, making a lot of food on a plate look good is an important piece.People eat with their eyes.

Presentation is all you’ve got.”His business was born out of COVID, when people weren’t able to gather.“Once restrictions lifted, communal dining grew more popular,” said Grimila.

“We only do family-style dining, with food cooked on location over a wood fire.”A hunger for gourmet wedding food prompted Sonya Feinstein, 31, and her husband, Vic ...