Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the most important days of your life and so naturally you want everything to be just perfect and that includes the food you serve to your guests. There are lots of things you need to consider when choosing your wedding menu from where your wedding reception is being held to the dietary requirements of your guests.
The purpose of this blog post is to provide you with some useful tips on best practice when choosing your wedding menu so that hopefully you will avoid some of the common mistakes that people make which could put a downer on your big day.
Why Is Food Now Such a Big Part of The Wedding Day ?
Years ago people used to be happy with a few sandwiches and a couple of sausage rolls and pork pies at a wedding but that is definitely no longer the case. These days a lot more people consider themselves to be “foodies” and as a result when it comes to their wedding day they are keen to provide their guests with a first class dining experience.
Because of this, wedding days often resemble a mini food fair exhibiting a wide range of cuisines from around the globe and heaven help you if you serve the wrong type of wine. The problem is that the more choice you have, the more challenging choosing the perfect menu becomes.
Now depending on where your wedding reception is being held can have a bearing on the menu that is available to you. Most traditional wedding venues will insist that you use their catering and that means the choice of menu will often be limited to what they offer. This is one of the reasons why more and more couples are now choosing to hold weddings at more unique venues where they can utilise outside caterers who can offer you a bespoke wedding catering
What Kind of Food do you Like
Without wanting to state the obvious, if you find it difficult to decide what to order when eating out then you are going to struggle when making a decision on your wedding menu. To make it easier you need to take a close look at what you really want. Are you looking for something light, Would you like something a little more indulgent or are you planning a complete blow out. Are you looking to keep things traditional and give your guests beef or chicken with all the trimmings or do you want to explore more exotic options.
Never forget it is your big day and while your guests are important ultimately you need to ensure that your choice is something that you both like as after all it is your wedding. For example say one of you isn’t keen on lamb then there is absolutely no point including it in your wedding menu. Making any changes to the wedding menu on the day itself could be problematic so it is imperative that you make wise choices from the start. Let’s face it it should be a given that your first meal as a married couple is an enjoyable one.
Another option open to you is to offer a number of different selections, you can do this by using invitations that ask guests to make a choice which can be a good idea particularly if your friends and family tend to be somewhat choosy.
Understand your guests
Catering for everyone at a wedding is never easy, invariably there will be one of your guests that has suddenly decided they have become a vegan the week before your wedding. It is true that catering for large groups of friends and family can be quite expensive as well as causing a few arguments along the way.
This is the reason why we believe that a buffet or a wedding menu that is slightly more diverse can help you deal with this type of issue up front. One thing you must be sure to do is check whether any of your guests has any kind of allergy. Doing this will help your caterer plan the menu as well as ensuring that no one becomes ill on your special day.
Opt for a wedding breakfast
The days of a single, long sit-down meal at weddings are becoming a thing of the past. Couples who ditch the traditional menu are often after something more unique, and the venue itself can be a big clue as to what’s on the menu! Outdoor weddings scream picnics and barbecues, while laid-back receptions tend to lean toward buffets or mezze spreads. And for those with a sweet tooth? An afternoon tea setup with plenty of bite-sized treats is always a winner!
But why stop there? Why not take your guests on a culinary world tour with multiple food stations? Think Hog roast, hot dogs, sushi, pizza, ribs, whatever suits your vibe. These stations are a great way to please a crowd and keep everyone happily munching throughout the day.
And of course, we can’t forget the drinks! a great wedding needs great beverages. Champagne and Prosecco are always a hit, aperitifs add a touch of sophistication, and for those going for a cool, modern feel—craft beer is an absolute must!
To Summarise
With all the wedding planning chaos, it’s easy to lose sight of the most important part, you’re getting married! Your big day should be all about celebrating and having fun, not stressing over the menu. Yes, the food should be delicious and reflect your style, but it shouldn’t be the main thing keeping you up at night.
Chat with your caterer, figure out what you really want, and let them handle the rest. A good caterer will work with any style of service and can offer some great advice to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
If you are in need of a professional and experienced wedding caterer that offers high quality food at budget friendly prices then the team here at Sadlergates are just what you are looking for. Contact our team today to find out how we can help give you a wedding day you will never forget.
