The Farm to Wedding Food Scene

Rochester MN Farm to Wedding Food Scene

by Michelle Koch 

The barn setting gained popularity in the late 2000’s. According to The Knot 15% of couples chose a barn, farm, or ranch as their reception venue in 2017. As more and more agricultural venues continue to open, this trend appears to have some staying power. 

Many millennials are accustomed to being casual, even in professional settings, so the idea of a formal wedding can feel old-fashioned and out-of-date. This generation of brides and grooms have grown up immersed in technology, I think on some level they crave simplicity for their day special. 

According to Twin Cities wedding planner Pam Rickard of Joy Us Events, barn weddings often are not simple. In fact, barn weddings can require a lot more work and a bigger budget depending on the venue. Some spaces are created specifically to host events, while others are more rustic and require every detail be hauled in on a truck. 

Since millennials are passionate supporters of the shop local movement and that got me to wondering if the farm to table concept popular in restaurants had made its way to weddings. I set out to see if farm to wedding was also a trend. 

The answer is yes! 

Couples who are seeking out agrarian venues are also interested in locally sourced food. The cost of a locally sourced meal doesn’t impact cost as much as you might think according to Elena Byrne of Renewing the Countryside. Although some couples purposely opt for a smaller guest list in exchange for a more artisan inspired meal. 

Squash Blossom Farm in Oronoco holds many events but only a few Rochester Mn area weddings each year as they are more of a working farm than a wedding venue, but their food is a crucial element. Owner, Susan Waughtal, says most of the couple who select Squash Blossom are interested in farm to table, artisan food. Waughtal states that their food, which is local, mostly organic, and incorporates many ingredients grown on the property, is the key reason couples choose their farm. 

Wood-fired pizza is their specialty, but they once hosted a brunch wedding breakfast buffet with the freshest of eggs! More than once she’s been told by guests it’s the best meal they’ve ever eaten at a wedding. 

For couples interested in a more formal yet natural locale, Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery is a lovely option. They too prioritize locally sourced food, using fresh ingredients to assemble a delectable menu to pair with their wines, ciders, and specialty cocktails. 

Urban settings can still enjoy farm to table food. The Forager Brewery in Rochester MN caters events using locally foraged ingredients to create an inspired menu. 

Couples have not only fallen in love with peaceful pastoral settings, they’ve developed an appetite for fresh, locally sourced food to celebrate. Cheers to farm to wedding meals that don’t include the overly familiar dry chicken we’ve all come to expect.