Create A Beautiful Fruit Tray For Your Wedding

A fruit tray is a simple yet effective way to impress your guests at a wedding. The vibrant colours of the fruit create a stunning display that is sure to be the centrepiece of any table. To make a beautiful fruit tray, you should use a variety of colourful fruits such as berries, melons, and tropical fruits. You can also add edible flowers and herbs such as mint or rosemary to make your tray stand out. It is best to use fresh, seasonal fruit that is ripe and flavourful. Presenting the fruit in an appealing way is also important – you can create patterns or arrange the fruit in curving lines or piles. It is also a good idea to use a smaller platter so that the fruit looks bountiful and overflowing.

Choosing the right fruit

Variety of Fruits:

Select a variety of fruits to create an eye-catching display. Include different types of fruits such as melons, tropical fruits, berries, and fresh figs. This adds colour, texture, and interest to your fruit tray.

Seasonality:

Use fresh, seasonal fruits as they will taste better and be more affordable. Check your local farm shops or fruit and vegetable stands to find the best produce. In-season fruit tends to be more flavourful and can add a unique touch to your wedding fruit tray.

Colour:

Aim for a rainbow of colours or work within a specific colour palette. For example, you could create a red-themed fruit tray with red grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, red-skinned apples, watermelon, and pomegranate seeds. Colour adds visual appeal and can tie in with the wedding's colour scheme.

Common and Uncommon Fruits:

Include a mix of common and less common fruits. While strawberries, bananas, and grapes are crowd favourites, consider adding unusual fruits like dragon fruit, star fruit, cape gooseberries, or yellow kiwi. These unexpected elements will delight your guests and add a touch of sophistication to your fruit tray.

Amount of Fruit:

Ensure you have enough fruit to create a bountiful display. As a rule of thumb, count on 4 ounces of fruit per person after removing any peels, pits, and other inedible parts. For larger gatherings, you may need to scale up the amount of fruit accordingly.

Avoid Certain Fruits:

Some fruits, like apples, pears, and bananas, tend to brown quickly, so it's best to avoid them or add them just before serving. If you do use these fruits, slice them and toss them in diluted lemon juice to prevent browning.

Preparation and Presentation:

Wash and prepare all your fruit before arranging it on the tray. Cut fruits into uniform, bite-sized pieces, and create interesting shapes with fancy cutters if desired. Arrange the fruit attractively, grouping similar fruits together while distributing colours evenly across the tray.

Remember to use a smaller platter to make the fruit look abundant and overflowing. Garnish with fresh herbs, edible flowers, or mint leaves for added elegance.

Preparing the fruit

Firstly, use fresh, seasonal fruit that is perfectly ripe. Melons, tropical fruits, and berries are great options for a fruit tray. Melons, such as cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon, are firmer and make a great base for the softer fruits and berries. Pineapples, mangoes, and peaches are also excellent choices. For a vibrant touch, include dragon fruit, and the top of a pineapple can be added for height. If you want to get creative, hollow out a pineapple or coconut shell and use it as a unique serving dish.

When selecting berries, go for plump and juicy options such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. To add a touch of elegance, consider fresh figs. Slice them into quarters so they are bite-sized, and your guests won't have to worry about whether they can eat the skin. Dried fruits are also a wonderful addition, especially for an autumn or winter fruit tray. Dates, cranberries, raisins, and dried mango or apples will add variety in texture and colour.

Herbs and edible flowers can take your fruit tray to the next level. Sprigs of mint, rosemary, or thyme will not only look lovely but also add a refreshing aroma. Edible flowers such as nasturtiums, marigolds, and pansies will make your tray truly breathtaking.

Now, let's get into the step-by-step process:

• Wash and scrub all the fruit to ensure it is clean.
• Cut the pineapple into halves or quarters, leaving the stem intact for a decorative touch. Remove the pineapple flesh from the skin and dice it into small triangles.
• Cut the watermelon in half, then into quarters. Remove the flesh from the rind and slice it into even triangles.
• Do the same with the cantaloupe and honeydew melon, discarding the seeds before dicing.
• Place the pineapple boats (quarters) on each corner of the platter, creating empty sections with the stem hanging over the edge.
• On the shorter ends of the platter, arrange the watermelon slices along the outer edge.
• Add a row of diced cantaloupe and honeydew melon, filling in the gaps.
• Place blueberries in the corners and along the sides to fill any remaining spaces.
• On the longer sides of the platter, continue adding rows of cantaloupe and honeydew until all gaps are filled.
• In the centre of the platter, add a vine of cascading grapes to fill the space.
• Garnish with flowers, placing them in the centre and along the edges of the platter. You can also add flowers or foliage to the table or board to enhance the presentation.
• Cover the fruit tray with plastic wrap until it's time to serve.

Some additional tips:

• Always use a slightly smaller platter with a lip to make the fruit look bountiful and overflowing. Rectangle or circular platters work well.
• Do all the fruit dicing first, clean up, and then arrange. It's easier to work on a clean surface.
• Be mindful of fruits that tend to brown quickly, such as apples, pears, and bananas. If you want to include them, cut them just before serving and toss them in diluted lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Use fancy cutters to create interesting shapes out of your fruit for added visual appeal.

Arranging the fruit

Firstly, it is important to use a smaller platter with a lip to make the fruit look bountiful and overflowing. A rectangle or circle platter is a good choice.

Before arranging, it is a good idea to do all the fruit dicing first and then clean up before you start to assemble. This way, you will be working on a clean surface, and it is much easier than trying to arrange and cut at the same time.

Now, on to the arrangement! Start with a "filler fruit". Pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon are all great options. These fruits will act as a base for the rest of your arrangement. You can also add bowls of yoghurt with granola to the platter at this stage.

Next, you want to create some curving lines. Orange or kiwi slices are perfect for this, or you could use peach slices. Form these into a curve around your filler fruit.

Then, add something for height. Bunches of grapes or piles of cherries work well here. You could also use the top half of a pineapple for height.

Now, finish with berries. Berries add beautiful colour and bring the whole tray together. Make piles of different berries or add them in between the filler fruit and height elements.

Finally, add some garnish. This is not necessary, but it is fun and adds a special touch. Mint leaves, pomegranate seeds, and edible flowers are all great options. You could also add a kiwi or small papaya cut in a zig-zag pattern.

There you have it! A beautiful fruit tray, perfect for a wedding.

Adding the finishing touches

Now that you've selected your fruits and arranged them beautifully on a platter, it's time to add those final flourishes that will truly make your fruit tray shine. Here are some ideas for taking your creation to the next level:

Flowers and foliage

Adding fresh, edible flowers and foliage is a surefire way to elevate your fruit tray. Not only do they add a pop of colour and a touch of elegance, but they also create a romantic, exotic feel. Opt for flowers like marigolds, pansies, roses, and nasturtiums, ensuring they are safe to consume and free from pesticides. You can also decorate the table or board that your fruit tray is on with flowers for an extra special touch.

Herbs

Incorporate herbs such as mint, rosemary, or thyme to give your fruit tray a unique and refreshing twist. These herbs not only look lovely but can also enhance the flavour of the fruit.

Dips and sauces

Offer a selection of dips or sauces to complement the fruit. Chocolate, yogurt, and vanilla are always popular choices, but you can also get creative with options like chocolate avocado dip, tea simple syrup, or vanilla yogurt dip.

Presentation

Presentation is key to making your fruit tray stand out. Use a platter with a lip to make the fruit look bountiful and overflowing. A cake stand or tiered stand can also add height and interest. If you want to get really creative, you can use hollowed-out pineapples or coconuts as serving vessels for the fruit or dips.

Colour and arrangement

Arrange your fruits in a way that showcases their vibrant colours. Create contrasting colour combinations, such as green kiwi next to orange melon or red berries next to oranges. You can also stick to a specific colour scheme, like shades of red or green and blue. Play around with different arrangements until you find one that looks pleasing to the eye.

Quantity

Make sure your fruit tray looks abundant and generous by choosing a platter that is slightly smaller than the amount of fruit you have. This creates a sense of abundance and makes your display look even more enticing.

Remember, the finishing touches are all about enhancing the beauty of your fruit tray and making it truly unique. Get creative, have fun, and don't be afraid to experiment!

Storing and serving the fruit tray

Storing and serving a fruit tray for a wedding requires some planning and preparation. Here are some detailed steps to ensure your fruit tray stays fresh and looks beautiful:

Storing the Fruit Tray:

• Prepare the fruit tray up to 1 day in advance. Keep it simple and choose fruits that are in season and easy to prepare.
• Wash and cut the fruit, creating an attractive display. Use a mix of colours and textures to make it visually appealing.
• Cover the fruit tray with plastic wrap to keep the fruit fresh.
• Store the tray in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serving the Fruit Tray:

• Remove the plastic wrap from the fruit tray about an hour before serving.
• Place the tray on a table or a large, stable surface.
• If desired, decorate the table with flowers or foliage to enhance the presentation. Fresh flowers can add a romantic touch.
• Keep the fruit tray in a cool place if it's not being served immediately.
• If the fruit tray includes a dip or sauce, provide small serving utensils for guests to help themselves.

By following these steps, your fruit tray will not only look beautiful but also stay fresh and tasty for your wedding guests to enjoy!

Frequently asked questions