What to Include in Wedding Charcuterie Boards

Few things set the tone for a warm, welcoming wedding reception like an elegantly arranged charcuterie board. Thoughtfully made with rich cheeses, savory meats, vibrant fruits, and artisanal treats, a wedding charcuterie board transforms an appetizer spread into an artful experience guests will savor.

Whether you’re hosting an intimate celebration at home or planning a grand reception, a beautifully styled wedding charcuterie board offers a perfect, shareable centerpiece designed to celebrate love, flavor, and craftsmanship.

In this guide, we'll explore how to create a charcuterie board that wedding guests will remember — and how to add personalized touches, including the exquisite flavors of Ethel M Chocolates, for a truly luxurious presentation.

Essential Elements for Wedding Charcuterie Boards

A memorable wedding charcuterie board balances a variety of tastes, textures, and colors to delight your guests from the first glance to the final bite.

Selecting the Perfect Cheeses

Cheese is always at the heart of any charcuterie board. A carefully chosen cheese board introduces guests to a curated tasting experience with each creamy, crumbly, or bold bite.

For a well-rounded wedding cheese board, include these varieties:

• Soft cheeses - like brie or goat cheese offer a luscious melt on the tongue.
• Hard cheeses - such as aged Gouda or sharp cheddar bring a rich, crystalline crunch.
• Blue cheeses - like Roquefort or Gorgonzola add a punch of bold, tangy flavor.

Pro Tip: Choose cheeses with different milk types — cow, goat, and sheep — for an even more diverse and beautiful flavor profile. Small labels identifying the cheese also add a personalized, high-end touch guests will love.

Choosing Meats for Your Charcuterie Board

For the best charcuterie boards, wedding guests will adore pairing fine cheeses with artisanal meats.

Consider offering:

• Cured sausages - like Soppressata or Chorizo for a savory, peppery bite.
• Delicate Prosciutto - or Jamón serrano, thinly sliced and arranged in elegant folds.
• Pâtés or Rillettes - for a luxurious, spreadable option.

Arrange meats thoughtfully, offering easy access to different textures and flavor profiles. A custom board designed with these elements guarantees that every guest finds something they love.

Complementing with Fruits, Nuts, and Spreads

Elevate your wedding charcuterie board with accompaniments that balance the richness of cheese and meats.

Incorporate:

• Fresh fruits – like grapes, figs, strawberries, and sliced pears for a juicy, refreshing contrast.
• Dried fruits – such as apricots or cherries for a concentrated sweetness.
• Nuts – like marcona almonds, candied pecans, or pistachios add delightful crunch and earthy flavor.
• Spreads and jams – fig, apricot, and cherry create opportunities for guests to build their perfect bite.

Pro Tip: For those who savor the finer things, weave in small-batch chocolate creations with nuts and fruits to elevate the experience. Add decadent nut-filled chocolate pieces like our Pecan Caramel Rapture Milk Chocolate Gem—the perfect blend of crunchy pecans and sweet caramel.

Consider adding our Cherry Cordials Gem to a custom box, where whole cherries are steeped in liqueur and enrobed in premium chocolate, offering a dramatic burst of flavor your guests will surely remember.

Arranging Your Wedding Charcuterie Board

Even the most exquisite ingredients shine brightest when arranged with intention.

Placing Treats Strategically for Easy Access

When setting up your wedding charcuterie board, do the following:

• Anchor the board with cheeses placed first, spaced well to create a balanced look.
• Layer in meats by artfully folding or rolling slices to make grabbing easy.
• Fill gaps with vibrant fruits, nuts, and crackers.
• Add visual interest with breadsticks or layered crackers standing upright in stylish glasses.

• Create visual flow by mixing colors, textures, and shapes across the board.

• Add unique pairing recommendations, like chocolate and cheeses, that guide guests through curated pairings.

The goal? A board that invites guests to linger, admire, and — most importantly — enjoy.

Unique Touches to Personalize Your Wedding Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board designed for your special day should feel every bit as unique as your love story.

Here are some personalized ideas:

• Custom Name Tags - Label your cheeses, meats, and spreads with elegant tags matching your wedding decor.
• Color-coordinated Ingredients - Choose fruits, spreads, and edible flowers that match your wedding palette.
• Monogrammed Boards - Invest in a custom board engraved with your initials or wedding date for a beautiful keepsake.
• Artisan Chocolates - Add different types of chocolate, like a few select gourmet pieces from Ethel M Chocolates, to introduce unexpected luxury and a touch of sweetness between savory bites. Rich dark chocolates or fruit-filled gems can act as a palate cleanser between savory cheeses and meats, offering a luxurious reset for the senses.

These small, intentional additions create a wedding charcuterie board that not only looks spectacular but also tells a story of your life together.

Choose Ethel M Chocolates for Your Wedding Charcuterie Board

No wedding couple's dream would be complete without a luxurious sweet element — and that’s where Ethel M Chocolates comes in. Some of our small-batch creations you can incorporate are:

• Premium Chocolate Truffle Collection - Nestle rich truffles between fresh fruit and nuts for a melt-in-your-mouth contrast guests will savor.
• Small-Batch Chocolate Bars - Break gourmet chocolate bars into shareable pieces, offering flavors like Sea Salt Caramel and Dark Chocolate with Lemon Satin Crème^Ⓡ for an unexpected and refined pairing.
• Gourmet Chocolate Gems - For couples seeking to add a luxurious, bite-sized delight to their wedding charcuterie board, Ethel M Chocolates’ chocolate gems offer a perfect solution. Available across a curated variety of categories — including milk chocolates, nut-filled creations, liqueur chocolates, and more — these small-batch confections bring rich textures and refined flavor profiles to your spread.

At a wedding where every moment matters, the small-batch, premium craftsmanship of Ethel M Chocolates elevates your charcuterie board into an unforgettable experience — one that lingers on the palate and in the heart.

Final Tips for a Stunning Wedding Charcuterie Board

• Plan for Variety - Offer a range of flavors, textures, and ingredients for every palate.
• Keep It Easy - Arrange items to encourage natural grazing — no crowding or clutter.
• Serve Beautifully - Choose a gorgeous board, tiered trays, or a flowing table spread to match the style of your reception.
• Order Ahead - If using catered items or shipping ingredients, allow plenty of lead time to ensure everything arrives fresh and perfect.

At the heart of it all, your wedding charcuterie board is more than an appetizer — it’s a reflection of your style, your generosity, and the joy of sharing great food with the people you love most.

For a truly exquisite finish, remember to include the luxurious, small-batch creations of Ethel M Chocolates for a truly elevated, artisanal touch that can make your special day more memorable.