According to Pinterest, catering trends in 2026 are moving away from classic presentations and leaning into more playful, expressive ideas, where color, texture, and styling take center stage. Table settings are feeling more imaginative and experimental, shaping the event from the first cocktail to the cake. With unexpected ingredients and statement-worthy serving moments, food becomes a form of visual storytelling, unfolding course by course. Below, the six trends shaping food and drink for next year's receptions.
Mystic Outlands
Mystic Outlands pulls from mother nature in a way that feels soft, raw and untamed. On the table, it shows up through delicate details of lush, mossy greens, foraged herbs and botanical sprigs. The overall mood is whimsical, organic, and a little wild.
Rose Minimalism
Content: Maka
Disco Cubes
Photisserie
G Cakes
Tootie
Neo Deco
Neo Deco brings a modern twist to Art Deco through food styling that feels polished, shiny, and perfectly tuned to 2026. After years of the minimalist aesthetic, this vibe is reappearing on the table through ornate silverware, chrome and brass platters, and vintage-inspired dishes. It's graphic, geometric, and glamorous, with just enough eccentricity to make every dish feel like a statement.
Chris Gentilini
Carlyle Avenue
Danique Dobbe, Photography: Simone Frank
Extra Celestial
Food styling and presentation will be going intergalactic next year as weddings lean into a cosmic influence. With iridescent glassware, metallic finishes, shimmering cocktails reminiscent of moon dust and out-of-this world presentation, the effect is both playful and futuristic. Colors span silvers, soft blues, dark pewters and pearly whites, giving food a holographic glow.
Balbosté
Alice Malaret
Stolzes
We Are Ona, Photography: Ali Valdez
Stolzes
Balbosté
Gimme Gummie
Gelatin desserts, jiggly jellies, and gummy-like textures are having a moment in 2026, adding a youthful twist to modern menus. These tactile treats evoke a sense of nostalgia yet feel elevated, making them a fun way to add color to the spread. Pair with fruits, florals, or herbs for desserts that are visually striking and surreal.
Alice Malaret
Alice Malaret for Miu Miu
Chris Yuille, Photography: Annika Kafcaloudis
Cool Blue
A cool-hued blue is emerging in drinks and dishes as a bold, unexpected choice in catering. From butterfly pea flower cocktails to sky-blue desserts, this color feels calm yet bold, especially when paired with clean glassware or minimalist plating. Our tip? Dive all the way in with monochromatic, icy blue tones across your menu for a look that feels cohesive and refreshing.
Alice Malaret
Idan Gilony
Yip Studio
La Morra Pizzeria, Photography: Jacob Inez
Studio Schmaus
Alice Malaret for 48 Collagen Café, Photography: Lucie Sassiat
Fun Haus
In 2026, playing with your food becomes acceptable. Whimsical shapes, bold colors, and unexpected formats define this joyful approach to catering. Food feels interactive and expressive, inviting guests into an immersive dining experience. Fun Haus is a reminder that elegance and fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Love & Sweets
Fanny Chotel
Centá Studio
Cabbage Crush
Already making its mark in florals, cabbage is coming to the reception, too. Roasted, pickled, or sculpted, it’s being used for its texture, color, and visual impact. Whether layered into centerpieces, served as a statement side, or used in the main dish, this pink, green, or purple vegetable brings an organic quality to the overall setting. This trend reflects a broader shift toward humble ingredients presented with creativity and confidence.
Herrlich Dining, Photography: Fanette Guilloud
Herrlich Dining, Atelier Flora
Content: Andrea Sham
Fanny Chotel
Love and Sweets
Mash London
Laced Up
Delicate lace details are heading to the table, bringing a sense of vintage charm to food styling. Wrapped around baguettes, placed under glassware, or used for presentation, it instantly softens the setting. This trend is perfect for a vintage-inspired wedding, and will feel romantic without tipping into overly traditional territory.
La Louème
Content: Diana Sun
Slutty Cooking
Opera Aesthetic
Classic fine-dining elements are being reimagined through a dramatic, almost theatrical lens. Silver platters, formal service styles, and ornate tableware create a sense of grandeur and occasion in this opera-esque aesthetic. This is where food becomes part of the experience, and presentation becomes a form of performance in and of itself.
Photography: Olivia Rae James Weddings
Photography: Seamo
La Louème
SNP Cake Atelier
Plus Table Brussels, Photography: Harold Pirlot
S-u-m
