Your wedding day should be filled with happiness, laughter, and dancing. These suggestions for selecting the appropriate cuisine for the occasion will guarantee that everyone has enough energy to enjoy the festivities. Wedding planning is extremely time-consuming and requires a great deal of preparation, from selecting décor to finding the ideal wedding catering services. Allow us to assist you in removing the tension from the menu selecting process. We’ll go through different catering techniques, which foods to avoid, and even offer you an inside look at balancing what you desire as a couple with what your guests will enjoy.
- Set Aside a Budget
Food is an expensive aspect to consider when preparing your wedding budget, aside from reserving your dream venue. Whether opting for an extravagant buffet or plated-style, most caterers and venues calculate food expenses based on the number of guests expected to attend. Whether your venue has an onsite restaurant or you’re working with a caterer, they’ll discuss package offers and even alcoholic beverage alternatives with you. All you have to do now is figure out how much money you have available or willing to spend, and then work with your planner or caterer to figure out which plates or buffet selections fit within your budget.
- Select Your Type
Decide on the type of cuisine you want to prepare. Would you like a sit-down meal or something more casual, such as shared platters or “carve your own” at the table? There’s no right or wrong answer here; it’s all about your personal style. However, it’s a good idea to consider this before meeting with caterers. You may change your mind as your decision-making process proceeds, but it will at the very least provide you with a starting point for a meeting or phone call with your caterer. Buffet style (at least for the main course) isn’t recommended for large wedding groups – you’ll end up with a line of people waiting for food, with the top table having finished eating while others haven’t even begun. This can significantly lengthen the dinner, and talks cannot begin until everyone has finished eating.
Make an appointment with your wedding caterer for a taste. You, your spouse, and the caterer are the only ones present. Don’t be lured to go to a group sampling because it will only offer you a general idea of the caterer’s food. You’d want to try some of the food you’ll be eating on your wedding day. It allows you to know exactly what you’re getting and the caterer to know any changes you’d like — no surprises on your wedding day!
- Consider Allergies and Dietary Requirements
If you want to serve a pre-selected, plated dinner to your guests, make sure to provide enough time for them to contact and inquire about a meal that may be prepared to meet any dietary restrictions or allergies. This can be accomplished by politely including a blurb on the bottom of the RSVP card with information about contacting to inquire about alternate meal options. Otherwise, foods containing common allergies such as peanuts or tree nuts should be avoided. If you wish to include anything like a pesto dish, make sure the caterer makes a note on the meal card.
- Prepare in accordance with the wedding’s dress code.
This is a silent rule that many people are breaking these days. Matching the formality of your wedding means serving finer cuisine if you have a formal dress code and more relaxed options if you have a more casual dress code. However, it appears that many more upscale weddings are opting for more casual meals, such as pizza buffets, taco bars, or even hiring a few food trucks. After all, it’s your wedding. Just be careful to consider all of your options before making these rash judgments.
- Provide a variety of choices
You’ll want to offer more than one or two options, whether you’re serving buffet-style, family-style, or plated. While it’s impossible to cater to everyone’s preferences, having a few conventional options—such as one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian—is usually a good place to start. When in doubt, providing a choice of options, including at least one that is meat-free, is best. For the most part, a vegetarian pasta is a safe bet.
- Keep the food, as well as the booze, coming!
Consider serving canapés with drinks, which is especially crucial if your wedding ceremony is scheduled after lunch. Consider the number of hours between your wedding supper and the end of your party, as well as whether your guests will require nighttime meals. This is especially vital when the alcohol is pouring!
- Certain foods should be avoided.
There are some meals and components that you should avoid at all costs. Bad breath is caused by foods like raw onion and garlic, which stifle love feelings during slow dances. Delicacies with a high spatter factor can stain your well-dressed guests, while riskier foods made with raw ingredients may not appeal to everyone’s taste buds and can be dangerous. We’re not here to make rules; in fact, defying tradition is exciting and adds a unique twist that your guests will remember. So, if you’d rather serve donuts than cake, go for it! It will be a hit with your visitors.
