The report focuses on the modern Albanian wedding menu, based on the author's field data collected in the cities of Durrës and Tirana in 2021. Clearly, food served at celebrations differs from everyday meals, and, in this regard, a wedding functions as a unique rite. Compared to other life cycle events, a wedding may be considered a demonstrative instance of festive culture, wherein all elements strive to present the finest, especially in terms of gastronomy. In addition to the continuing popularity of weddings among younger generations in Albania, it would be interesting to examine how holiday menu selections reflect relationships between identity and social trends, as well as internal and external evaluations. Based on the understanding of food as a system of communication that implies a certain set of meanings (Lévi-Strauss 1965; Барт 2003; Chau 2014; Riley & Cavanaugh 2017), we will examine the wedding menu to understand how holiday meals and dining habits are linked to language, culture, and identity (Lavric & Konzett 2009; Chiaro, Rossato 2015). Particular attention will be paid to the wedding menu in its material form, specifically how the conservative desire for "authenticity" is expressed through various discursive means in the communication with consumers, while at the same time seeking a balance between tradition and modernity.