Catering

The food and drink served to guests at your reception accounts for a big percentage of the wedding budget and should be one of the first considerations when organizing your wedding celebrations.  If you are getting married in a hotel you will most likely have taken the option of a package deal to include all the food and drink for our guests throughout the entire day. 

Choosing your menu is a big decision and there are a number of options available depending on your personal choice or the budget set aside for catering.  The time of year may also have an influence on your choice of food especially if you are having an outdoor theme wedding. Research shows that when people are enjoying their food they tend to be more sociable. 

Catering Options: 

·         Sit down meal 

·         Finger buffet 

·         Barbeque 

·         Hog roast 

·         DIY catering 

Choosing a caterer: 

Using a wedding caterer is a great way to take the stress out of the planning, preparation and serving of the food at your wedding. A professional caterer will plan every small detail but will also be the most expensive option. Everycaterer will provide different levels of service so make sure you give yourself enough time to get a few estimates to compare services and costs. 

Ideally, you should be looking for caterers with experience of weddings and personal recommendation is one of the best ways of finding the right company.  Alternatively there are many directories listing local wedding caterers. 

You will no doubt have had some thoughts as to the style of food you want at your wedding.  A good caterer will be able to provide references that you can check to find out if their service was efficient and professional.  Many companies will let you sample menus for free, especially if the catering is being done by your venue.  Ask about their set menus and flexibility to adapt them to suit your requirements and don’t forget to include a dish for vegetarians if necessary. 

Another point to consider is the supply of crockery, cutlery and table linen and if this is included in the quotation.  Caterers will arrive in plenty of time before the event for their waiting staff to set up the tables. 

Once you have discussed all your requirements with your chosen caterer, ask for a clear breakdown of the services included and not included in your quote. This will ensure that there are no hidden extras or surprises at a later date.  Make sure you have a contract and receipt for any deposit or monies paid in advance. 

DIY Wedding Catering 

Many couples on a strict budget are choosing to cater their own wedding.  Whilst this is very tempting and will help to keep costs to a minimum, do your research first. It is a big undertaking and not always practical unless you have a small number of guests and plenty of helpers. 

Consider not only the cost of the food and wine but also the hire costs of tableware, glasses, cutlery and linen.  You will also need waiting staff not only to serve the food but to set up tables and clear away afterwards.  As a general guide you will need a minimum of one waitress per 20 guests.    

Careful planning and preparation is the key to successfully catering your own wedding.