WWW.PLANNINGYOURWEDDING.CO.UK
PLANNING YOUR FOOD & DRINK T
THE FOOD AND DRINK you choose for your wedding day will reflect your chosen style – a hog-roast, barbecue or picnic for a relaxed, informal affair, a sit-down, silver-service meal for a grand occasion – and a good caterer will be able to suggest sample menus and help you with your decisions. Whether you opt for a traditional wedding breakfast or buffet most couples will find that, once they have tallied up the final number of guests, it’s the food and drink that bumps up the cost of their big day. Caterers will be at the heart of your wedding reception, so it’s vital to pick one you can work well with. Don’t be afraid at your first meeting to ask him or her how long they’ve been in the business and for references, which you should be sure to follow up. Ask if the caterer can accommodate individual dietary needs, how much the deposit is and if they have a cancellation policy.
Let’s eat! Menu options:
✦ WEDDING BREAKFAST ADVANTAGES:
sit-down meals can be an easy way to organise your guests, particularly if you have invited people that don’t know anybody. A sit-down meal will allow you to control the seating plan, portion sizes and to cater for any dietary requirements.
DISADVANTAGES:
a traditional sit-down dinner is the most traditional option, but it can also be the most expensive. You’re likely to be offering your guests a three-course meal, along with coffee and cake and not forgetting champagne. You will also be paying for a number of waiting staff.
Also ask if you can have an advance
taster-session, as this will give you a true idea as to the quality of their food. If you don’t know where to begin in your search for a reputable caterer, your venue should have a list of recommended wedding suppliers, or they may have an in-house team that you have to use as part of any deal. Although it’s important to create a menu that has that ‘wow’ factor, remember it’s your wedding day, so you need to choose a menu that appeals as much to you as it will to your family and guests. If you want to add a quirky touch, these days you can hire everything from a candy- floss machine to an ice-cream van, a chocolate fountain to a mobile coffee bar.
Champagne is the traditional toasting tipple – and we all know it’s not the cheapest option. You could opt for less expensive cava or prosecco, still delicious in their own right. Or, if you’re having a summer wedding, consider serving Pimms or a fruit punch. If you’re planning on serving wine at the reception, budget for at least three bottles per table.
✦ BUFFET ADVANTAGES:
perfect if you need to feed a large number of guests as it can work out as a more affordable option.
DISADVANTAGES:
your guests will have to queue for their food and the informality can lead to mess and lack of organisation.
✦ BBQ
ADVANTAGES: great if you’re on a budget and the weather’s warm. A barbecue will give your guests the chance to mingle in a truly a relaxed atmosphere.
DISADVANTAGES:
not a good option if you some of your guests are vegetarian, or if your plans will be upset by rain.
❤ For more information on food & drink check out
www.planningyourwedding.co.uk 39
At a summer wedding, consider serving Pimms or a fruit punch
Photographs by Claire Dominic
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