Wedding Trends in 2024

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples out there! Let the planning begin! Have you considered a Sun Valley, Idaho wedding? Our 2024 wedding calender is booking up and it’s definitely what you’ll find us doing during the summer and fall months here in the Wood River Valley. Just like our bistro menu changing summer and winter to stay fresh and on trend, we custom create all wedding menus for the same reasons. Again, best wishes on the upcoming nuptuals whether near or far, we hope your day is beautiful.

Now for the top wedding trends you may see in 2024 - compliments of The Knot and Vogue. **Things we like…

1. Dutch Masters inspired florals

2. Ceremony Friday, Party Saturday**

3. Cake slices and dessert stations*

4. Drone shows, Cold Fireworks, Laser shows

5. Wedding Stylists

6. Digital or Audio Guest Books

7. Documentary and Candid Photography**

8. Creative Dress Codes

9. Meaningful, Non-Formal Menus**

10. Wedding Crests

11. Champagne Towers, Ice Sculptures

12. Sustainability**

13. Experiential Entertainment

14. Themed Rehearsal Dinners**

15. Day-After Recovery Lounge

16. Cocktail Hour before the wedding**

Predicted Food Trends 2024

Each year the retailer Whole Foods forecasts emerging flavors, culinary influences along with anticipated top selling products for the coming year. The Trends Council is comprised of 50 team members including foragers, buyers and culinary experts. Without further adue, here is the list for 2024.

1. Put the “plant” back in “plant-based”

   The “veggie” is going back in your burger and labels are shrinking. New protien forward products with mushroom, walnut, tempeh and legumes in place of meat alternatives. Plant based milk labels will be simplifyed down to just two ingredients.

2. Use the whole cacao

   Utilizing cacao pulp has been practiced in other countries for centuries. Now students in Costa Rica are tackling this and other environmental issues. The pulp is being made into jellies and jams. In 2023 we saw cacao fruit powders as a new sugar alternative, taking advantage of the sweet, ambrosial flavor.

3. Buckwheat is back

   Buckwheat is gaining popularity as a cover crop that supports soil health. It is also a superfood seed containing protein, carbs and fiber. The best part - it’s naturally gluten-free. Soba noodles embraced the grain already, but watch for inclusions in plant-based milk, crackers and granola in the coming months.

4. Faux Fish gets Fancy

   Earlier in 2023 tinned fish and caviar gained popularity. Now plant-based seafood brands are bringing the texture and flavor to rival the real thing. Look for carrots to replace lox, mushrooms to replace scallops and root vegetable konjac in sushi rolls and poke bowls.

5. Water Stewardship

   The growing trend of regenerative agriculture promotes soil health initiatives that ultimately conserve water. Non-govermental organizations are showing support for farmed oysters, leveraging aquaculture to filter water and help restore coastal ecosystems. Lifestyle brands are promoting dry shampoos, shampoo bars and laundry detergent sheets.

6. Heat and Spice

   Peppers from around the globe are becoming mainstream with the temps getting hotter. Varieties like Scorpion peppers, Guajillo or Hungarian Goathorn Peppers are fresh, whole ground or pickled are now present. Botana sauces - a mildly-spiced, tangy and versatile sauce made with garlic and peppers as well as chili oils are popping up in the condiment isle. Watch for pepper-infused drinks like kombuchas, cold-pressed juices and smoothies and ready to drink beverages like canned tepache - a fermented beverage made from the peel and rind of pinneapple that is sweetened and seasoned.

7. Noodles

   Instant ramen is becoming better than ever. Watch for the preservatives and MSG (monosodium glutamate) disappearing from labels and these noodles going gourmet.

8. Women’s Health

   This year we saw hormonal remedies, estrogen management and sleepy girl mocktails making headlines. Brands are popping up that support periods, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and sleep. Food innovators are producing bars and snacks for cycle health.

9. Better boost

   Coffee is the long-standing morning tradition for many, but now we are seeing caffeinated drinks with natural additives. We will see more mushrooms and probiotics ingredients added to those drinks. Try searching for “clean caffeine.”

10. Little Luxuries

    We kinda love this one and are excited too see it make the top ten list. Treats, impluse buys and individual serving sizes can add joy on a budget. Things that come to mind for us are the fresh cookie jars on our deli counter in Ketchum, a bath bomb from the bulk jar at Natural Grocers or a gourmet afternoon tea.

Mushrooms for Health

Mushrooms are having a moment and we are totally on board! You may be new here, so let’s start with this…Eat more veggies!!! It’s one of Rasberrys things and we not shy about it. If we all just ate more vegetables, there would be less ailments and doctor visits.

Why mushrooms? Mushrooms have been around since ancient times. They were known for well-being and longevity in Ancient China, in Ancient Eygpt they were the plants of immortality and the Greeks used them to make a drink concoction for their infamous ritual ceremonies.

Mushrooms contain macronutrients for a healthy immune system. According to the Mushroom Council your immune system will benefit from Selenium, which helps your body make antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage (choose cremini or portabella), Vitamin D, which assists with cell growth, boosts immune function and reduces inflammation (chose maitake mushrooms), Vitamin B6, which helps your body form red blood cells, proteins and DNA (choose shiitake.)

This diverse vegetable has accompanied many dishes traditionally alongside a meat. Fast forward to 2023 and the veggie movement with plant-based, vegetarian and vegan diets and now mushrooms are the main event. Have you tried Miso Mushroom Risotto? Or Adobo Mushroom Tacos? Next time your dish calls for beef or chicken substitute mushrooms for that same meaty texture.

Don’t forget to ask Maeme about her mushroom coffee. Did you know we have a local mushroom grower Ironwood Mycology? Zach delivers beauties to us weekly!