These days, weddings symbolize more than just grandeur; they’re also about individuality and sentimentality. Among the most prominent places to see this evolution is the menu. At Tamarind Global Weddings, we have witnessed multiple couples turning to meals that reflect their cultural heritage and evoke profound emotions, particularly from all across India’s culinary regions. As shared by Anjali Tolani, Vice President of Celebrations at Tamarind Global, these trends highlight a growing desire for authenticity and nostalgia on the plate.

Here are eight local staples that have been featured on wedding menus.

Dal Moradabadi – Uttar Pradesh

Originally a classic Moradabad roadside lentil food item, this sour yet hot dal is now being reinterpreted as a hearty, filling appetizer at weddings. Served in sophisticated porcelain bowls or with small sized kulchas, it adds comfort and a hint of nostalgia and is especially beloved at mehendi breakfasts and welcome dinner banquets.

Amritsari Macchi – Punjab

Punjab’s golden brown, carom-spiced deep-fried fish has become an instant hit during happy hour. It’s a big success at sangeets and beachside sundowners, particularly among North Indian and destination weddings. It’s condensed and often accompanied with beet salad or a dip of green chutney.

Benne Dosa& Ghee PodiIdli – Karnataka/South India

At pre-wedding brunches and haldi gatherings, South Indian breakfasts are gaining popularity due to the mouth watering ghee podiidlis and buttery benne dosas. They are usually served with small bowls of savoury chutneys and ghee flavoured with gunpowder. Perfect for open counters where chefs produce them warm and fresh, it brings a sensory element to the celebration with their crisp, fragrant textures.

Kozhi Chettinad Sliders – Tamil Nadu

This hot, spicy South Indian chicken curry meal is being reimagined as cocktail night mini sliders and wraps. It’s popular with Gen Z individuals looking for a little added flair, and it’s a great way to combine tradition with easy convenience.

Bhutte Ka Kees – Madhya Pradesh

Who would have expected milk and grated corn to taste this delicious? Primarily for daytime gatherings, this Indore delicacy is finding its place in vegetarian eating booths. This has been opted for small-batch dining at village side haldis as well as royal weddings.

Khichu Live Counter – Gujarat

Traditionally enjoyed as a Gujarati snack, khichu is a soft, steamed rice flour delicacy that is being incorporated in live food stations. It is frequently served hot with a light coat of oil and spicy red chilli pickle masala. With interactive food stations becoming popular, wedding planners are including it into haldi brunches and sangeet evenings. It is ideal for couples who want to add authenticity without being too formal.

Champaran Mutton – Bihar

This slow-cooked mutton dish, which emerged in the Champaran district of Bihar, is quickly coming to the forefront as a highlight of wedding feasts. The smokey and delicate mutton is prepared in airtight clay pots with mustard oil and whole spices, and requires light stirring. It is frequently served as a plated main dish at smaller events or at midnight buffet stations.

GajarKaHalwa – Delhi/North India

This classic winter pudding which was once regarded to be too standard for wedding menus, is now making a triumphant return with an air of finesse.

The dessert is served warm in mini katoris, garnished with rose petals, sliced pistachios, and even with a scoop of saffron kulfi or vanilla ice cream. It is highly sought after at post-phera buffets or as part of sit-down thalis at exclusive receptions.

Today’s menus are as much about one’s identity as they are about luxury. Couples can share stories about their origins and individual preferences through their traditional cuisine.

Food is becoming one of the most prominent expressions of culture at weddings. These dishes, whether they are reinterpreted from the streets or an ancestral household recipe, represent experiences and not just a meal.