CATERING

a memorable menu

Last year’s trends haven’t gone away; they’re just pitched toward health & social responsibility. Luckily, catering services have raised the bar on every aspect of wedding cuisine creating personal, memorable, and delicious meals. 

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BUDGET WISELY

Don’t forget that taxes and gratuities can be a large chunk of your food and beverage costs so make sure you’re including these in your budget.

FEASTS WITH FLAIR

As couples get more adventurous with their cuisines, caterers are offering more bold flavors, meaningful meals, and interactive experiences. From grazing tables to lite bits to gourmet tacos, caterers are doing it all with extra faire and presentation. While staying true to the feel and theme of your wedding, there are so many options for creativity and personalization

Ethnic cuisine is a great way to bring a little flavor to your reception. Take your guests around the world with a variety of food stations. Think about hosting each of your favorite meals. The more you embrace what makes you unique, the more memorable your wedding will be. Food trucks are another popular way to up the fun factor, and late-night snacks like popcorn, pizza, or grilled cheese sliders are a huge hit with guests.

Planners are recognizing trends of attendees cutting back on cocktails. Serving zero-proof mocktails that have the same fizz, color and flavor lets your guests still feel like they’re drinking something festive but can reduce the risk of attendees becoming intoxicated.

There’s also been an emphasis not only on unique meals, but locally sourced ingredients. Couples like to support local purveyors, since hosting a locally harvested meal means they’re not only building up their own community, but also enjoying the freshness of a farm-to-table feast.

7 STEPS TO HIRING A CATERER

Step 1: Start the search

Once you secure a reception site, your catering search can begin. Some reception locations require that you use their in-house caterer or banquet

Creating

Memories

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A MEMORABLE MENU

services, which makes your choice simple. This usually applies to venues like hotels and country clubs. If your reception location allows you to bring in an independent caterer, you still might have to choose from a pre-approved list.

If you’re able to choose your own caterer, narrow down your options three or less so that all the flavors won’t blur together. As you call caterers to inquire after their services, make sure to have as much information on hand as possible. They’ll want to know your wedding date, time, approximate number of guests, and whether you’d like a sit-down, family-style, food stations or buffet-style meal. If you already have some ideas for your menu or any specific limitations (think vegetarian or gluten free), let the caterer know so they can better prepare for the initial meeting. Ask to see sample wedding menus and references. Step 2: Decide on your style

With all the general specifics such as serving style in place, it’s time to factor in your wedding’s style and degree of formality. Right off the bat, caterers will want to talk about your personal tastes (and budget!). Don’t be afraid to disclose your food budget as it will make the process easier. Think about the vibe your wedding — is it a classic ballroom affair or a rustic outdoor bash? Do you want the food to be posh or playful? Such details will help a caterer determine what they can offer that falls in line with your budget and vision.

Step 3: Schedule a tasting

When you finally narrow down your list of prospective caterers, it’s time for the fun part — tastings! Speak up during your tastings