Wedding Series: The Perfect Meal Plan
12:00 PM
Welcome to
the wedding series! I wanted to share some of the things I learned during the
wedding planning process. Today, we’re talking about food and all the options
you can select from including on pros and cons of each. I’ve also included my
list of 13 important things to ask your caterer.
Catering Minimum
Always ask
what the food minimum is, if any. This is so important! This tells you how
much, at minimum, you must spend on this particular part of the wedding. Some
venues that include catering allows you to remove and add things to reach the
minimum. For example, you decide to skip on the charger plates and extra
candles (décor) for an extra salad option (catering). If you’re having issues
hitting your minimum, I suggest running through your entire list of décor or
catering and seeing if there’s anything you’re able to give up.
Buffet
The buffet
option requires guests to get up and grab food themselves from a specified
area. Typically, the buffet style tends to be cheaper since the caterer doesn’t
have to pay for staff to serve the food to each table only to refill. The food
is usually in chafing dishes that keep the food warm. If you want to fancy it
up, you can ask you caterer to provide staff to serve your guests at the buffet
station.
Tip: be
sure to work with your caterer on vendor meals and kid meals if you chose this
option.
Suggested:
- To help save a little money without having
to reduce your guest list (best option for those on a budget)
- Everyone is welcomed to eat as much or as
little as they please
- Allows guests more freedom on their food
choice and aren’t tied to a decision they made months ago and may not even
remember (plated)
- Provides time for guests to mingle with
each other as they walk to and from the buffet area
- If you have venue with space for a buffet
set up
- If you have an outdoor venue, if your
wedding theme is rustic
Not
Suggested:
- If your attendee lists contain a lot of
older guests
- Can be a mess if not organized properly
Plated/Courses
The plated
option is served in courses which is typically, bread, soup or salad,
appetizer, entrée and dessert (cake). The catering staff would bring out each
pre-selected course to your guest and would bring out the next after everyone
is done with the first. Guests would remain seated the entire time.
Suggested:
- If you want your guests to relax and not have to get in line for their food
- If you have a lot of older guests who may
have trouble getting out of their seat
- Less wasted food as everything will be
portioned
- Best option to cater to guests with food
preferences or allergies
- If your wedding theme is more romantic, or
classic
- If your venue is smaller (no space for
buffet set up)
Not
Suggested:
- More work on the front side collecting each
guest’s meal preferences (usually during the invitation phase)
- Less food variety, guests eat what they
already pre-selected
- Takes more time as guests have to wait for
the food to come to them
Family Style
This family
style concept is very common in Asian cultures. I’ve experienced this at
Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodian weddings but I’m sure it expands beyond that.
It’s usually a 7-course menu where each course is brought out one by one and
it’s served family style (large serving dish enough for the whole table). All
guests can grab their own food from the center of the table (usually on a giant
lazy Susan, the rounds thing in the middle of the table that spins). This
option has recently gained a lot of popularity and is becoming more common
across all cultures.
Tip: If you
choose this option, I’d suggest creating a menu so that guests can see exactly
what is in each item (for guests with food allergies, etc.).
Suggested:
- If you want the wedding to have a less
formal feel
- If you have a small wedding where everyone
knows each other
- If you want your guests to interact, this is a great option
- Guests are familiar with the family style
- Allows guests to eat as much or as little
as they want
Not
Suggested:
- If you have a lot of vegan/vegetarians (you
might have to ask for specialized meals)
- For Asian cultures, there is typically no
refills on the food (be sure to ask your caterer)
- Less portion control, possibility of wasted
food
In my opinion, only you know what's right for your wedding and as long as the food is delicious, your guest could careless if they had to walk to go get it or if it was served to them. Below are some important questions you should ask your caterer.
Good lucky and happy planning! Don’t forget to share this with your friends! Comment below any other questions you would ask your caterer.
Good lucky and happy planning! Don’t forget to share this with your friends! Comment below any other questions you would ask your caterer.
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