Congratulations, you are officially engaged! Now the excitement has settled, it’s time to start planning your special day. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and the catering plays a monumental role in making it unforgettable. After all, good food is one of the highlights of any celebration. But with so many decisions to make, planning your catering can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry! We will walk you through the key steps to help you make delicious and stress-free decisions for your big day!
- Set your budget
Before you dive into tasing your menu, the first step is to establish a catering budget. Your wedding budget will likely be one of your largest wedding expenses, and it can vary significantly depending on the size of your guest list, the type of food, and where your wedding takes place.
- Ask yourself how many people you are expecting and the cost per person that you are comfortable with.
- Keep in mind you’ll also need to budget for things like additional kitchen equipment, staffing or special menu requests. Where possible, we will always endeavour to fit your catering within your budget, and can make alterations to your bespoke quote, until you are happy.
- Determine your type of service
The style of catering service you will chose, will depend on your weddings theme, formality, and guest count. No two weddings are the same, and there is a multitude of different ways you can cater for them.
- Plated menu: this being a three-course menu, where all dishes are plated per guest. Usually consisting of one option and a dietary alternative where necessary. However, if the budget allows, you can opt for a choice menu, meaning you would select three choices for you guests to pre-select before your special day.
- Sharing menu: a sharing menu consists of wooden boards served to each table, featuring one large chunk of meat, with additional trimmings served in bowls. Traditional in style of dish but combining with a more relaxed approach to dining.
- BBQ menu: also served on wooden boards to the table for guest to help themselves. Consisting of four choices of ‘meats’ on the board, accompanied by bowls of salads. A more relaxed dining setting, for guests to select exactly what they would like.
Consider the tone and flow of your wedding when deciding on the service style, if you’re opting for a more formal approach then plated is ideal, or if your opting for a more laid-back celebration, BBQ works wonderfully.
- Select your menu
Choosing a menu that reflects your taste and fits the theme of your wedding is essential. You’ll need to think about the following
- Cuisine: do you want traditional dishes, local fare, or something a little more exotic? Make sure the food complements your wedding style and vibe. Draw in your
- Seasonality: Incorporating fresh, in-season ingredients ensures better flavour. Adapt the style of your dishes based on the season, warm and hearty dishes for winter, or light and refreshing dishes for the summer.
- Dietary Restrictions: its important to provide dishes for those with dietary restrictions. Ensure you know which guests have dietary requirements and work closely with your caterer to ensure these guests are well looked after.
- Tastings: make sure to schedule in a tasting to sample and finalize your menu choices. This will help you better understand how your menu will fit together and how the day will run overall.
- Consider the venue and its needs
If your wedding venue has a sole caterer, they will likely have necessary equipment, from serving dishes to table settings. However, if you are hosting your wedding at a non-traditional venue or in a marquee, be sure to ask your caterer about their additional equipment needs.
- Kitchen facilities: Does the venue have an adequate kitchen, or does your menu require any unusual item of kitchen equipment.
- Rentals: If necessary, consider renting tables, chairs, linen, glassware, cutlery, and crockery. As standard cutlery, crockery and glassware are usually included in your price per head, but you do have the option to upgrade if necessary.
- Create a timeline
The timings of your wedding day are crucial to ensure the smooth running of the day. Work with your caterer and venue to develop a timeline for your wedding day. Traditionally the day tends to be timed by the following events. But you can add or remove any of these where
necessary.
- Ceremony time
- Drinks reception
- Call for dinner
- Dinner service
- Speeches
- Cake Cutting
- First Dance
- Late night snacks
Make sure to confirm this timeline with all your suppliers, so they are all aware of what is taking place and at what time.
- Communicate with your caterer
Lastly, clear communication with your caterer is key. Meet with them well in advance to taste your menu, discuss all the details and perfect the overall running of the day. Provide them with a guest list, including any dietary restrictions or allergies, and discuss logistics to avoid any last-minute issues.
Focus on finalising your menu and additional details around 60-45 days in advance of your wedding date. This ensures you have finalised all the details and you can relax and enjoy the lead up to your wedding day, without any stress.
In conclusion, planning your wedding catering can seem daunting, but by breaking it down into manageable steps and staying organized, you can ensure all your guests are well-fed and your wedding is memorable. Focus on creating a menu that reflects your personal tastes, first within your budget and suits the overall vibe of your celebration. With careful planning and a little bit of help from your caterer, your wedding food will be a highlight of the day.
Remember: Good food makes for great memories, so choose what feels right for you and your guests – and enjoy the process!
Photography by:
Siobhan Beals Photography
Tomhumphriesphoto
Rebecca Seale Photography
Opperhillphotography
Aidan Matthews Studio