When it comes to planning your big day, there are just so many considerations you have to make – both big and small. Aside from the dress, the bridesmaids and the venue, one of the biggest things you will have to think about is the catering. Luckily, no matter what your budget, you have plenty of options available to you and whether you choose to go down the self catering route or you opt for a more traditional sit down three course meal, it has to be perfect for you. Here are just a few things to think about when making decisions about your wedding party catering.
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Set a Budget
This is perhaps a piece of advice that should be applied to everything in your wedding. Setting yourself a budget (and sticking to it!) means that you will stay within your means and avoid racking up an expensive bill that you perhaps can’t afford to pay. Sit down with your partner and spend some time going over figures and decide just how much you can comfortably spend on the food for your wedding. Once you have a final number, use this figure when making enquiries with potential caterers and compare who can offer you the most for your money.
Tasting Menu
If you choose to go down the route of hiring caterers to supply the food for your wedding, then one vital thing that you must ensure is included in the final bill is a tasting menu. A tasting menu is the best way for you to test the food that will be served on your big day and will give you the opportunity to iron out any creases in that department. The food is a big part of your day and so, of course, it should be perfect.
A tasting menu will also provide you with a chance to discuss any dietary requirements you or your guests may have, and allow you and the caterer to create a signature menu for your wedding day. Remember to be as honest as possible when tasting the foods or else you risk being stuck with a dish you may not actually like.
Self Catering Vs. Hired Caterers
There really is no right or wrong way of doing a wedding and no two weddings are ever the same, and of course this extends to the catering too. So many people are now going down the route of a handmade wedding and making everything from invitations to flower arrangements by hand themselves. When it comes to food, this can often be the most stressful part of a D.I.Y. wedding but it can also be the most satisfying part. From dessert tables to buffets, to custom cocktails, there are just so many things you can do to add a personal touch to your wedding food and drink. There are plenty of inspirational ideas for handmade wedding catering, but if you do decide to do the catering, or at least part of the catering yourself then it will take plenty of planning in order to make things run smoothly.
Hired caterers, such as deWintons, on the other hand, take away the stress of having to plan when to bake the hor d’oeurvres, preparing the salads, etc. It’s important to do plenty of research when it comes to your wedding caterers though, and whether you want a buffet, a sit down three course menu or something a little more unusual, different companies will specialise in different types of food.
Sarah Gildersome is a freelance blogger who loves writing about anything and everything to do with weddings. Sarah’s currently planning her own wedding, and will be tying the knot next summer!
