Top Tips and Trends for Catering Weddings and Events in 2025

The catering scene is getting a major refresh in 2025, and not just in presentation, but in how dishes are prepared, served, and enjoyed. As foodservice businesses adapt to changing client tastes, there’s an undeniable shift toward bulk purchasing of crowd-pleasing, less formal dishes that still bring the wow factor. Whether you’re planning large weddings or upscale private parties, understanding what’s trending (and how to stock up smartly) could be the key to streamlining operations and growing margins.

Casual Is the New Classy: The Rise of Less Formal Wedding Dishes

One of the standout trends for 2025 weddings and parties is a move away from multi-course plated meals and toward elevated casual fare. Guests are craving flexibility, fun, and flavor. Think mini sliders over steak dinners, or pasta bars where guests choose their own sauces and toppings.

This change is a response to increasing event costs and tighter timelines for caterers. Serving customizable dishes like tacos, poke bowls, or gourmet mac and cheese allows for faster prep, smoother service, and happier guests.

What to stock up on: Look for large-format proteins like ground beef, chicken thighs, and plant-based options from Wholesale Club. Add bulk buns, shredded cheese, and sauces to build out versatile stations your team can assemble quickly and efficiently.

Individual Portions Are Stealing the Show

Say goodbye to massive charcuterie boards and hello to charcuterie cups. Individualized servings are a win for hygiene, speed of service, and aesthetic appeal, especially when guests want to grab and go. From shrimp shooters to dessert jars, compact servings reduce food waste and allow for better portion control, which in turn helps with cost management.

Meet this trend with: Mini cups, spoons, and bowls available in bulk purchasing quantities. Complement these with wholesale packs of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and crackers to build beautiful, budget-friendly handheld apps.

Smarter Sourcing Means Better Margins

The demand for diverse, globally inspired wedding and event menus is growing. But sourcing all those specialty ingredients doesn’t need to be time-consuming or expensive. Instead of juggling multiple vendors, restaurateurs and caterers are turning to suppliers that offer multicultural foods, restaurant disposables, and kitchen essentials all under one roof.

By buying in bulk and consolidating orders, catering businesses can save not just on cost per unit, but on time, shipping, and admin headaches. And with inflation still affecting food costs across the board, every advantage counts.

Smart picks for diverse dishes: Today’s event menus aren’t just multicultural, they’re increasingly tailored to specific dietary and lifestyle preferences. With Wholesale Club’s dietary filters, you can easily find bulk ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free, organic, low sodium, sourced from peanut-free facilities, and more. This helps caterers build inclusive menus without overcomplicating procurement.

Your One-Stop Partner for Catering in 2025

What makes Wholesale Club stand out isn’t just its pricing, it’s the flexibility and convenience that restaurant owners rely on. No-fee business memberships, online ordering, and customized regional inventory mean you get what you need, when you need it. Our private label brand, Sunspun, was built for foodservice: consistent quality, larger formats, and smart price points that support your bottom line.

Whether you’re creating a modern Mediterranean buffet or assembling rows of charcuterie cones for a lakeside wedding, Wholesale Club gives you the tools to do it better and more profitably.

Make Your Next Event a Win

Trends in catering for 2025 favor casual, high-flavor fare over formal, plated meals
Individual appetizers are more efficient and attractive to modern guests
Using a single wholesale foods supplier helps reduce costs and complexity
Bulk ordering of proteins, disposables, and specialty items supports diverse menu needs
Wholesale Club offers business-friendly services that keep your operation running smoothly

Start Stocking Smarter with Bulk Purchasing Today

Don’t let your next event catch you off guard. Shop smart by creating your free business account with Wholesale Club today. You’ll gain access to over 7,000 foodservice products, including bulk proteins, multicultural ingredients, and event-ready packaging with no membership fee.

Shop in-store or online today with Wholesale Club.