THE BIG BREAKFAST

THE big BREAKFAST Choosing your catering and refreshments

When planing a wedding, plenty of time goes in to choosing the theme and colour scheme, the invites and flowers, and of course the dress! However, what the guests will look forward to, enjoy on the day and remember long after the event itself is... the food! Yes, the way to please your guests is to ensure they have plenty to indulge in, a tipple (or two) and everyone will be merry on their way to the dancefloor with full bellies. Here’s three aspects of the big-day breakfast to put your personal twist on!

ARE YOU BEING SERVED!

After the ‘I dos’, the first thing the guests experience when arriving at your reception venue is the ‘welcome drink’. Traditionalists among you will perhaps opt for some bubbles, but with the ‘bespoke cocktail’ trend set to stay in to 2022 and beyond, why not welcome loved ones and set the tone for the reception with a personalised cocktail? Whether you pop a twist on a classic name such as a ‘PaulChar Martini’ (be handy if your names were Paul and Charlotte) or you worked with a mixologist to create your very own drink, it’s a great way to add a personal twist on proceedings. To really go to town, why not colour-coordinate your cocktail with your colour scheme? For the non-alcoholics, you don’t want to make them feel like one of the kids with a soft drink and a colourful straw, so make sure you have grown-up alternatives. Mocktails ‘virgin’ cocktails can look as funky as their alcohol counterparts so ask your bar team to create few options that will look just as fancy but for those that are teetotal.

Finally, when planning seasonal nuptials, hot chocolate and mulled wine make great festive beverage options!

GO RETRO

Shots! Now, we can all remember a bad night (or two), having had shots back in the day; but these little, short, sharp hits are making a comeback as couples are looking to have one big party after non-existent weddings over the last 18months.

There are fancier alternatives out there nowadays, and what better time to knock one back and start the party then after the speeches and raise the ultimate toast! One, two, three go! RAISING THE BAR

Food stations hit the wedding scene a couple of years ago, and the new musthave is a drinks bar! ‘Pimp your prosseco’ or ‘Seven deadly gins’ are fun themes where you can have your favourite tipple along with different mixers, fruit, colourings and so on for guests to create their own drink and have fun at the same time.

Again, for those that like to keep a clear head, you can opt for coffee bars (watch out for these in 2022) and for kids and adults alike, a ‘milkshake shack’ will go down a treat.

If you have a static bar in your wedding reception venue, consider hiring professional bartenders with ‘flair’ skills; come the evening party, their behind the bar antics will keep the mood going!

Tip: opt for paper straws and look for alternatives to plastic cups – try reusable ones that guests could even keep and take home after the big day as a memento.

Check out...

TAPP’D COCKTAILS

Launched in 2019 Tapp’d Cocktails, a family run Essexbased company, has taken the UK by storm with perfectly blended ready to drink cocktails that are handcrafted and served within seconds. Sourcing the finest ingredients including real fruit, ethically sourced coffee and award-winning spirits, the company delivers exceptional quality and a perfect pour every time. Gluten free, vegan, and free from any artificial flavours and preservatives, options include: Cosmos, Pornstar Martini, Piña Colada, Espresso Martini and Mojito to name but a few.

Visit www.tappdcocktails.com

DID SOMEONE SAY BRUNCH?

The brunch craze – unless you’ve been under a rock for a few years it’s a fusion of breakfast and lunch – is a fab contemporary wedding breakfast offering for relaxed ‘I dos’.

Although 2021 weddings are perhaps opting for touch-free alternatives to grazing tables, we expect to see them return bigger and better than ever in 2022.

Whether you provide mini ‘brunch baskets’ of much-loved favourites of pastries, fruits and cakes, or are planning your extravagant tables for next year of masses of continental breakfast delights, and hot choices to boot; the key is presentation. For the small option, think quirky hampers and baskets with red and white picnic blankets and mason drinking jars; and for the full on table platters opt for fun quirky signs such as ‘You’re the bacon to my eggs’, or ‘spread the love’ flagging up the condiments table.

The beauty of hiring in foody trucks/stations is that you can combine multiple offerings for guests, think: brunch bars, waffle and crêpe stations, and pizza vans in the evening. Not only are they indulgent comfort food options loved by all ages, but the ‘live cooking’ aspect is added entertainment value.

If the whole day is outdoors, think about how you can break down the day’s food offerings in to themes so, light lunch, fruit, brunch, bloody marys and desserts with picnic-style cushions and blankets during the day; then as the night sets in, have lanterns providing the light, pizza vans, firepits to toast marshmallows with s’more kits for guests. End the night with a mulled spiced cocktail and sparklers – a picture-perfect end! Check out … THE TEAPOD

Essex’s The TeaPod offers a range of packages starting with providing a healthy breakfast for the wedding party, early afternoon snacks or just the sweet treat on the big day right through to bringing the ‘midnight munchies’. The TeaPod serves sweet and savoury crêpes and waffles alongside milkshakes, speciality teas (which make perfect wedding favours), coffee, cold drinks and a range of confectionery items ‒ vegan, dairy- and gluten-free items are also available!

The trailer, with an eye-catching floral design, sits well in natural settings in stately manors, hotel gardens, woodland sites, walled gardens and lots of homes!

To complete the full service wedding offering, The TeaPod’s owner/operator Therese is also a certified wedding celebrant so is really in tune with all aspects of your big day!

Check out: www.theteapod.co.uk

TAKE YOUR SEATS

As we approach the winter months, seasonal weddings really come in to their own. Floral displays have more texture, plenty of greenery and alternative elements such as pinecones; while colour palettes boast deeper, richer tones reflective of the time of year. One element which is restricted though is outdoor dining, and with Covid at the back of our minds for the rest of 2021 at least, couples will be opting for sit-down waiter service when it comes to the wedding breakfast. But alas, traditional certainly doesn’t mean boring, far from it. Firstly, table layouts and tablescaping: T-shape table designs are proving oh-so popular enabling the happy couple to sit at the ‘head’ of the table while not being too far away from their guests. While tablescaping – creating a scene in the centre of the table with a cohesive theme and feel – will ensure your guests have a visually pleasing view no matter how long they are seated for.

With the sit-down three-course (or four if you’re real foodies) making a return, how do you get creative with your food choices? Canapés remain a firm favourite and offer a way to show your personalities; if you love a toad in the hole, why not offer mini-versions? It’s always worth having sweet options, savoury, vegan and vegetarian to make sure all your guests are covered. Ask your caterers to hold some back for you both as it’s easy to miss these making the round when chatting to guests.

If you’re tying the knot at the height of a season i.e summer or winter, let that be your inspiration for your menu. Christmas nuptials can start with a rich homemade chicken liver and calvados pâté, with spiced apple chutney and toasted walnut bread, followed by lamb shanks in a deep port sauce, finished off with a hearty stick toffee pudding; veggies can enjoy pumpkin soup, beetroot and cheese risotto, and a chocolate, peanut butter and avocado pudding.

Your chosen caterers can advise what produce is in season, be it asparagus, and create a dish utilising this – it’s also great for your sustainability and eco-credentials which is at the forefront of couples’ choices nowadays. What’s more, ‘farm to fork’ is again something the last year in lockdowns has shown us; where does our food come from? How is it sourced and where is it sourced? Using local suppliers not only supports small independent businesses, but it also cuts down on your carbon footprint so you can have a ‘green’ big day.

Check out... PREMIER CREW

With more than 50 years’ of collective experience in corporate events and catering, the team at Essex-based Premier Crew draw on their knowledge and skills to execute bespoke events. The dynamic team have worked together for many years which brings a great atmosphere, and is headed up by senior events director, Sarah, who ensures her team remain calm and are engaging and personable, really listening to the wants and needs of each of their clients.

The experienced team of chefs is headed up by food and beverage director, Geoff. The team create delicious and bespoke menus in their state-of-the-art kitchen ‒ whether it’s hearty homecooked menus or fine dining, they can turn their hand to anything. Their menus reflect the latest trends and use seasonal and local produce whenever possible.

Check out https://premiercrew.events

Fan Thai Sticks https://fanthaisticks.co.uk Street food is just a part of the culture in many places in the world, gaining in popularity in the UK, and Fan Thai Sticks is excited to contribute to it bringing authentic Thai street food dishes to the UK public. Expect, salt and crspy squid, Papaya salad, chicken cashew nut, chick satay, pad kra pao, green curry and spring rolls.

JPs Kitchen www.jpskitchen.co.uk At JP’s Kitchen, wedding catering goes above and beyond whether you’d prefer a formal sit-down meal or a casual buffet, or both, the team can create a bespoke menu your guests will love.

Wedding catering options include a two- and three-course table service with champagne, barbecue and hog roast catering for outdoor weddings, and buffet catering to keep you and your guests fuelled throughout the evening. There’s also mobile bar hire, and formal catering packages come with crockery and cutlery hire. FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Couples can use their menu choices to reflect the theme of the day, or their personalities and heritage. If the bride is Greek and the groom is Scottish, why not have a fusion of these two cuisines with a mixture of Scottish-themed canapés and delicious buffet of traditional Greek delicacies.

Have you planned your honeymoon in Japan, or adored your family holiday every year in Spain? Why not pick these destinations to set your menu? A Japanese food truck in the evening will be a welcomed treat for guests, while a huge sharing paella will be fitting of an al fresco summer wedding reception ‒ Viva España!

CAKE PLEASE!

A ‘micro wedding’ trend that looks set to stay is: mini cakes! Gone was the gathering for the cake cutting, and in came lots of miniature wedding cakes which guests could take home with them! It ensures no wastage, and everyone can enjoy it after the big day – or why not serve it as your dessert course? Room for more?

SOFA SURF THESE COMPANIES

The Tin Canteen www.instagram.com/the_tincanteen This unique and stylish retro Rocket Van serves delicious sweet and savoury crêpes, tempting bubble waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches and indulgent ice cream milkshakes Fig & Feast www.figandfeast.co.uk Fig & Feast is an Essex-based company that all began from the love of food and bringing people together whether friends or family, business or pleasure. For weddings and other events, if offers tablescape-style grazing allowing guests to casually mingle over drinks and bites as they pick on cured meats, artisan cheeses, locally sourced fresh bread, honeycomb, of course heavenly figs, fresh fruits and other simple but quality foods.

Alternatively, you can have a brunch table laden with delicious pastries, cakes, bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. Served along side fresh cold pressed juices. There’s even a children’s graze option.

Oink BBQ https://oinkbbq.co.uk A family friendly barbecue experience, its five-metre long barbecue, The Oink Rig, will always bring the excitement to an event. Its catering is for pretty much any event and with its style of cooking ‘low n slow’, it’s perfect for all ages. All of the prices include a full barbecue set up (either the oink rig, or barrell smokers) a chef, waiters, cutlery and plates. Wedding services are served buffet-style, for that authentic barbecue feel of good food and socialising, which is why it makes the perfect alternative wedding meal!