Winter catering trends for unforgettable weddings

Winter events are more than gatherings—they’re opportunities to create warm, memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression. Thoughtful, seasonal catering paired with festive décor can transform any venue into a winter wonderland. Here are ideas to inspire your next event:

Warm seasonal drink stations

Welcome guests with customizable warm drinks that set a cozy tone:

• Hot chocolate bar: Offer toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, and pirouettes. For adult guests, consider optional spirits such as Irish Cream or spiced rum.
• Eggnog station: Include whipped cream, sprinkles, cinnamon sticks, gingerbread crumbles, and flavored syrups. Add a splash of rum or bourbon for those who prefer a spirited twist.
• Apple cider bar: Serve warm cider with cinnamon sticks, apple slices, honey, and caramel sauce. Optional additions like bourbon can elevate the experience.
• Coffee bar: Feature seasonal lattes like peppermint or gingerbread alongside classic coffee, with trimmings such as whipped cream, syrups, chocolate shavings, marshmallows, candy canes, and cinnamon sticks. Offer Irish whiskey, Kahlua, or Frangelico for those who want a spirited option.

Winter-themed dessert stations

Delight guests with a variety of interactive and indulgent dessert offerings:

• Chocolate fondue: Provide dippers like fresh fruit (strawberries, apple slices, bananas, tangerines, cherries, pineapple, raspberries), marshmallows, brownies, cookies (biscotti, shortbread, wafers, gingerbread, Oreos), cakes (angel food, vanilla, cheesecake), Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, and assorted nuts.
• S’mores station: Set up a tabletop roaster with roasting sticks and classic ingredients - graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows—as well as creative toppings such as sprinkles, cookies, preserves, fresh fruit, and nut butters.
• Mini dessert selection: Offer bite-sized treats like chocolate-covered strawberries, cheesecakes, cupcakes, brownies, bundt cakes, carrot cakes, chocolate peanut clusters, individual pies, truffles, macarons, mousse, warm cobbler, and cookies.

Warm hors d’oeuvres

During cocktail hour, have servers circulate with comforting bites such as:

• Bacon-wrapped dates
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Mini quiches
• Chicken skewers
• Spinach artichoke cups
• Beef Wellington bites

Hearty comfort dinner

For the main course, consider seasonal favorites that bring warmth and satisfaction: prime rib, roast chicken, stews, butternut squash ravioli, and pot roasts. Pair with creamy soups, whipped potatoes, and roasted vegetables for a complete comfort-food experience.

Final touches for ambiance

Presentation is vital to capturing the winter spirit. Transform the venue into an elegant winter wonderland using faux snow, pine branches, icicles, ice sculptures, twinkling fairy lights, candles, and snowflake décor. Incorporate these elements around food and drink stations to enhance the festive mood and create a cohesive experience.

By combining these creative catering ideas with thoughtful event design, you can help deliver an inviting and memorable winter event your clients and their guests will cherish. Don’t forget to discuss Markel event insurance options to help protect your work and your clients throughout the season.

Markel offers event liability insurance to hosts and honorees, protecting from incidents such as property damage to the venue or injury to a guest. Up to $2 million in event liability insurance can be purchased by your client from Markel any time at least 1 day before the event. Policies start as low as $75.

By offering event insurance, it can help protect your clients, but it can also protect you by potentially decreasing your own business liability risk for accidents due to negligence of the event host or honoree. Markel's event insurance is an easy and affordable solution for your clients – a free event insurance quote takes only a few minutes online or on the phone – that will help protect your clients (and you).‡

Free client materials! We can provide you with free brochures to help raise your clients' awareness of the benefits of event liability insurance.

*Up to 10% for residents of FL.
**As of December 2023, the minimum premium is $75 and rates could exceed $75 depending on the coverage options selected.
†State exceptions may apply.
‡Event cancellation policies have a $25 deductible for each area of coverage.