Create A Wedding Fruit Display: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fruit displays are a unique and vibrant alternative to traditional flower arrangements at weddings. They are a feast for the eyes and the palate, offering a range of colours and flavours to impress your guests. Whether you opt for small clusters of grapes, sliced oranges, bright red apples, or a mix of everything, there are numerous ways to create a stunning fruit display. This guide will teach you how to make a DIY fruit display, including how to select and prepare the fruit, and creative ways to cut and assemble the fruit to create a show-stopping centrepiece.

Choosing fruits that are in season

• Know the seasons for your desired fruits: Different fruits are in season at different times of the year. For example, blackberries are typically in season from mid-June through August, while raspberries have a shorter season from April to June. If you're set on having a particular fruit, make sure you plan your wedding for when it's in season.
• Consider the colours: Fruits come in a vibrant range of colours, from the rich purple of blackberries to the bright red of strawberries. Choose fruits that complement your wedding colour palette or theme. For instance, if you're having a summer wedding, zesty lemons or tropical pineapples could be a perfect choice, while pumpkins and apples are great for an autumn wedding.
• Mix and match: Don't be afraid to mix and match different fruits to create a colourful and varied display. Just be mindful of any fruits that shouldn't be paired together, such as sweet fruits and acidic fruits, as these can cause digestion issues.
• Think beyond the fruit bowl: In addition to whole fruits, consider using fruits in creative ways. For example, you could create fruit bouquets, fruit-topped cakes, or even fruit-inspired cocktails. Dried fruits and nuts are also an option and can add an exotic touch to your display.
• Prepare in advance: Some fruits, like mangoes, pineapples, and melons, can be cut and prepared a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This will save you time and ensure your display looks fresh and inviting.
• Add a personal touch: If you're using fruit as wedding favours or in your decor, consider adding personalised touches such as cute quotes or monograms. This will make your display even more special and memorable.

Creative ways to cut fruit

There are many creative ways to cut fruit for a wedding display. Here are some ideas:

Fan Cuts

With a paring knife, cut parallel slices into the base of strawberries or kiwis without cutting through the stem. Lightly press the fruit to fan out the slices.

Melon Balls

Use a melon baller to scoop out the flesh of a watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew melon. Place the melon balls into a bowl made from the hollowed-out melon rind. This makes for a creative and functional display.

Zig-Zag Cuts

Using a paring knife, cut a zig-zag pattern around the middle of a kiwi or mango. Gently pull the fruit apart to reveal the design. For mangoes, use a chef's knife to cut along each side of the pit in the middle, resulting in two slices. Then, switch to a paring knife to make a crosshatch cut through the flesh, being careful not to cut the skin. Finally, gently press up on the bottom of the skin to expose the cubes.

Pineapple Leaves

Slice off the top leaves of a pineapple and set them aside to use as decoration on the fruit display. Cut off the bottom of the pineapple and stand it upright. Cut the peel off in vertical strips, then cut the flesh off the tough core. Discard the core and cut the remaining flesh into even slices.

Citrus Slices

Slice citrus fruits like oranges or lemons in half, then divide each half into four small slices. These can add a pop of colour to your display.

Fruit Skewers

Thread colourful fruits like strawberries, grapes, melon balls, and pineapple chunks onto bamboo sticks in a rainbow pattern or your wedding colours. Arrange the skewers in a tall vase or lay them out on a platter for a convenient and visually appealing snack.

How to assemble a display

To assemble a fruit display for a wedding, you will need a variety of fresh fruits, a sharp chef's knife, a paring knife, latex-free food-safe gloves, and a platter or board. The amount of fruit you need will depend on the size of your party, so adjust the quantities accordingly. It is best to use good-quality, in-season fruit that is free of bruises and blemishes to ensure your display is beautiful and tasty.

• Wash all the fruit to remove any dirt or debris.
• Prepare the strawberries by making parallel cuts with a paring knife into the base of each strawberry without cutting through the stem. Lightly press the strawberry to fan out the slices.
• Prepare the pineapple by slicing off the top leaves and cutting off the bottom. Stand the fruit upright and cut the peel off in vertical strips, then cut the flesh off the tough core and discard it. Finally, cut the pineapple flesh into even slices.
• Prepare the oranges by slicing them in half, then into quarters.
• Prepare the watermelon by slicing off both ends, then cutting it in half down the short side. Use a melon baller to scoop out the flesh, and use the rinds as a bowl to hold the watermelon balls.
• Prepare the kiwi by cutting a zig-zag pattern around the middle with a paring knife. Gently pull the kiwi apart to create a flower shape.
• Prepare the mango by cutting along each side of the pit with a chef's knife. Switch to a paring knife and make a crosshatch cut through the flesh, then gently press up on the bottom of the skin to expose the cubes.
• Prepare the cantaloupe by drawing a faint line down the center circumference with the tip of a chef's knife. Cut a zig-zag pattern along the line, then gently tug on each side of the cantaloupe to pull it apart. Scrape and scoop out the seeds, then use a melon baller to scoop out the flesh. Place the balls inside the decoratively cut cantaloupe.
• Now it's time to assemble the display! You can get creative and arrange the fruit however you like, or follow these suggested steps:

• Add blueberries and blackberries down the middle of the tray.
• Place the strawberries and raspberries in a row next to the blueberries and blackberries.
• On one side of the tray, place pineapple leaves in the corner and pile up the pineapple slices around them. On the other side, lay the orange slices.
• Put the watermelon bowl in the opposite corner of the platter from the pineapple leaves.
• Set the grapes next to the orange slices, and stack a pile of kiwi next to the pineapple. Place any leftover kiwi flowers around the board for a pop of color.
• Add two mango slices to each corner of the platter. Place the cantaloupe bowl on the opposite side of the platter from the watermelon bowl.

• If you are preparing this fruit display for a party, be sure to wear latex-free, food-safe gloves while cutting the fruit and assembling the platter.
• You can vary the size of the platter depending on the size of your display. A platter that is at least 12 x 17 inches is recommended.
• Don't be afraid to set the fruit bowls, like the watermelon and cantaloupe, next to the platter instead of on it if space is limited.
• It is best to prepare the fruit display as close to the event as possible to ensure the fruit stays fresh. However, some fruits like pineapple, oranges, and kiwi can be cut up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Making fruit bowls

Choose the Right Fruits:

Select a variety of colourful and seasonal fruits that are fresh and in-season. This ensures they taste great and look vibrant. Some popular options include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, mango, and grapes.

Prepare the Fruits:

Wash and cut the fruits into decorative shapes and sizes. You can create fans from strawberries, zig-zag patterns on kiwis, cubes from mangoes, and balls from watermelon using a melon baller. Get creative and experiment with different cuts to make your display unique.

Assemble the Display:

Start by placing the blueberries and blackberries down the middle of the tray. Add rows of strawberries and raspberries next to them. On one side, arrange the pineapple slices with their leaves in one corner, and place orange slices on the other side. Include a watermelon bowl, adding a creative touch by using the scooped-out watermelon rind as the bowl.

Add More Fruits:

Next to the oranges, place a pile of grapes. Stack kiwi slices next to the pineapple, using any leftover kiwi flowers to add colour. Add mango slices to each corner of the platter, and don't be afraid to use fruit bowls like cantaloupe next to the main platter.

Tips for Presentation:

Use a large platter, approximately 12 x 17 inches, to ensure your fruit display is eye-catching. If you have fruit bowls, feel free to place them next to the main platter. Always use sharp knives to achieve clean cuts, and wear food-safe gloves while preparing the fruit.

Prepare in Advance:

You can cut and prepare some fruits the night before, such as pineapple, oranges, and kiwi, and store them in the refrigerator. However, it is best to assemble the fruit display on the day of your event to ensure the fruit stays fresh.

Using fruit as a vase filler

• Use dried fruit slices such as oranges, apples, or grapefruit as a natural vase filler.
• Artificial fruit is a great option if you want your vase filler to last beyond the wedding. Fake apples, oranges, lemons, pomegranates, and blueberries are all readily available.
• Fresh fruit can be used, but it will need to be prepared and cut into slices or cubes. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes are all good options.
• For a more unique look, try using fruit that is not commonly used as a vase filler, such as kiwis, mangoes, or pineapples.
• If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider using fruit that is in season. This will also ensure that the fruit is of good quality and tastes great.
• To save time, prepare the fruit the night before and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the displays.

Fruit vase fillers are a great way to add a creative and colourful touch to your wedding centrepieces, and they can be easily customised to fit your wedding theme and style.

Frequently asked questions