Of Zero-waste Menus

Local delicacies, fresh produce, Insta-famous charcuterie boards and more... Here’s how you can make your wedding menu a no-waste affair.

INDIAN WEDDINGS are celebrations that combine two of our greatest loves— romance and food. And, even though our appetite for love stories is insatiable, the same cannot be said about wedding food. According to Feeding India, about 10 to 20 per cent of the food served at Indian weddings go to waste. To put that into perspective, it is estimated that there are almost 10 million weddings held in the country every year.

So, curating a wedding menu to ensure minimal or zero-waste becomes crucial for a sustainable wedding. Wedding planner Darshan Shroff agrees, “There has always been a subvert pressure to make any Indian wedding into a big, ostentatious event. However, the last couple of years have shown us that weddings can be sustainable and intimate without compromising on the entire experience of a big fat Indian wedding.”

Bye bye buffet

A no-waste wedding menu caters to the needs of your guests and cuts down on gigantic food stations. You can also opt to confirm the dietary preferences of your guests prior to the event and plan accordingly with your caterers. Many sustainable wedding planners prefer to serve individual plated food rather than the buffet-style spread.

Local love

Adding traditional local delicacies or even favourite family recipes to your menu can add a personal touch to your wedding food curation. You can also explore the farm-to-table concept for your wedding festivities, to support your local agricultural community or food vendors.

Traditional tableware

From using silverware, glass or steel utensils for beverages to serving food the traditional way in earthenware and on banana leaves, many couples are opting for an eco-friendly dining experience for their guest. This cuts down the use of plastic drastically and also creates an interactive, fun experience for your bridal party.

Extra sharing

Another way to manage the surplus wedding food is to share it. You can coordinate with many non-profit foundations to manage the excess food and distribute it among those in need. Meanwhile there are also organisations that can help you decompose your food waste efficiently.