How to Create a Wedding Taco Bar—Plus, 6 Creative Ideas to Consider

Whether you’re hosting a black-tie affair or a beachside barbecue, few food options will make your guests’ eyes (and stomachs) light up like a taco bar. From build-your-own buffets complete with multiple proteins and tons of toppings to creative and unexpected taco menus—like breakfast, dessert, or fusion options—these handheld favorites offer couples the chance to add a fun, personalized element to their cocktail hour or reception.

“Taco bars have so much diversity in what can be offered, each bride and groom can customize exactly what they want and are looking for,” says Todd Annis of Cru Catering. “Furthermore, due to the fact that there are so many variations and so many ways to present them, it is a great option to give your guest lots of flavor choices that can easily hit dietary restrictions in a presentation that can seamlessly fit into any wedding layout.”

If this unique food experience is something you'd like to consider for your big day, our experts share several tips on how to plan and create the perfect wedding taco bar. Plus, we provide a list of six creative taco bar ideas to inspire your own. Read on for more.

How to Create the Ultimate Wedding Taco Bar

A taco bar can fit into any part of your wedding day: your cocktail hour, reception dinner, or late-night snack table. “A taco bar is fun, approachable, and has something for everyone,” says Danielle Redmond of Occasions Caterers. “It feels inclusive and playful. It also is a nice way to bring a diverse set of guests together, because all ages and demographics love tacos!” 

That said, in order to make the biggest impact with your wedding taco bar, there are a few planning tips to keep in mind, which we highlight below.

Draw Up Your Ideal Taco Bar Station

First things first, think about how you want to present your taco bar to your guests (good news: it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want). While the experts don’t recommend serving tacos as a standalone dinner, you can pair them with savory sides and elevated salsas to turn them into a full meal—or you can feature them as a station at your cocktail hour. “We also have done mini passed tacos as a hors d’oeuvres option during cocktail hour, which is an elevated version of a dish everyone knows and loves,” says Annis. “It is usually a big hit among the weddings we cater.”

The final setup of your taco bar station will depend on your space and your wedding aesthetic, however. With the right design decisions, says Redmond, “The setup and décor can be really impactful. Design the station to look like your favorite walk-up taco bar or street vendor, and use colorful platters, lodge pans, and paper boats,” she explains.

Create a Menu That Suits Everyone

A typical taco bar has three main components: the tortillas, the fillings, and the toppings. While your caterer will have suggestions for the quantity and variety of foods to include, you should be prepared with your final guest count numbers and any dietary restrictions; this allows you to choose gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly options that suit your entire party.

In general, the chefs recommend street-size tortillas, which are six to eight inches in diameter, in both flour and corn (corn tortillas are both tasty and appropriate for guests following a gluten-free diet). Another tip? You should plan for two to three tacos per person if the taco bar is one of several food stations, say the experts; if it’s your primary meal, then Annis encourages couples to plan for five or six tacos per guest.

Choose the Appropriate Proteins

In most cases, couples will serve two or three different types of proteins on their taco bar: steak, beef, chicken, seafood, pork, and vegetables are all common choices, though the chefs suggest choosing a variety of flavors. “Pork al pastor, chipotle-spiced pulled chicken, and chimichurri-marinated and grilled fish will usually cover most people’s favorites,” says Annis. Consider adding meat-free alternatives, as well, like sauteed or roasted vegetables or bean-based fillings, for vegetarian guests. “We also love using jackfruit as a vegan option,” adds Redmond.

At Nopalito Mexican Kitchen in San Francisco, chef Gonzalo Guzman offers eight meat-based taco options available for catering, including carnitas, braised pork with milk, cinnamon, and orange; arabes, marinated pork with dried spices; achiote-citrus braised chicken; shredded chicken with mole; and stewed fish in a tomato, jalapeno, olive, and caper sauce. 

Consider Serving a Wide Range of Toppings

Depending on your caterer’s menu, you have two options for serving your toppings: a build-your-own taco bar—where guests add their own toppings from a buffet of options—or a station where an attendant creates made-to-order tacos following the chef’s recipe. “There really are never too many topping options—it all comes down to the amount of space you have to display them,” says Annis.

More specifically, Redmond recommends toppings of cotija cheese, pickled jalapenos and red onions, cilantro, lime, queso fundido, and heirloom peppers alongside “fun” salsas, like tomatillo, peach-mango, and pineapple. The Nopalito catering menu even includes specific salsas and toppings for each taco variety: salsa cruda de tomatillo atop carnitas; salsa morita y tomatillo on tacos arabes; roasted tomatoes, sesame seeds, pickled onion, and salsa de arbol served with grass-fed beef tacos de birria. 

Provide a Variety of Sides (and Drinks)

Bulk up your bar with a selection of sides that complement the flavors in your tacos. Choose traditional options, like rice; black, pinto, and refried beans; corn salad; guacamole; and green salad. Or, get creative: roasted cauliflower al pastor is a favorite from Nopalito; Annis offers cumin-roasted vegetables, chipotle potatoes, paella, and fried avocado; and Redmond serves up chili sweet potatoes, squash, and eggplant. 

And don’t forget the custom bar service: margaritas, tequila, and housemade agua fresca all complement the heat and smokiness of a traditional taco. “In the past, we have even passed margaritas in mini Patron bottles—it’s a showstopper in itself and seamlessly pairs with taco cars,” shares Annis.

The Top 6 Wedding Taco Bar Ideas

If a traditional taco bar isn’t the right fit for your cocktail hour or reception, build your own interactive taco experience with these ideas from the chefs.