How to Prep for Your Wedding Tasting 10 PRO TIPS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU DIG IN
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S TA R T W I T H YO U R B U D G E T
Knowing what you can (and can’t) afford will save you heartbreak in the long run. You’ll probably end up falling in love with a ton of delicious options at your tastings, but if you’re on a tight budget, you likely can’t serve your guests everything you tasted. Keep a solid number in mind and talk to your partner beforehand about FOOD & DRINK
how flexible (or inflexible) it may be. 2
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DO YOUR LEGWORK
You want to start by working with a professional planner to nail down the top caterers in your area. From there, collect sample menus and pricing information from each, and be sure you understand what they offer when it comes to tastings—some may allow you to do a tasting without signing a contract first, while others may only offer a tasting after you’ve booked their services. Either way, you’ll want to have your research done first. Know what the caterer’s or restaurant’s strengths and signature dishes are—read online reviews, check out their website, etc. If, for example, tons of past clients are saying their tuna tartare is to-die-for, you might want to make sure it’s included in your tasting. Knowing a caterer’s background and strengths will help you know what items to focus on as you work to craft the perfect wedding menu. 3
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GE T ON THE SA ME PAGE
want to overwhelm the process with opinion after opinion
boring and underwhelming), so catering can be a really great
(after opinion). Plus, your caterer may only offer a free tasting
place to go all out and wow your guests if your budget allows it.
for two and charge per person for any additional attendees.
beforehand—are they willing to dip into the entertainment or design fund in order to make some creative catering choices? Having these conversations beforehand, rather than in front of your caterer and wedding planner, is always the way to go. 4
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GO IN HUNGRY
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K N OW D I E TA RY R E S T R I C T I O N S
While you can nail down dietary restrictions and a final guest count as your RSVPs arrive, it’s still a good practice to have a fairly broad idea of dietary restrictions as you head into a tasting—especially if you know a lot of your guests have them. Have a whole slew of gluten-free friends who will be in atten-
This one‘s pretty straightforward. Though you’ll be tasting
dance? It may be a good idea to taste some of your caterer’s
smaller options of what will be served on your wedding day,
gluten-free options, if possible.
all of those miniature plates add up. Remember to go in a little hungry and save room throughout the tasting—you don’t have to eat everything on every plate. 5
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and food preferences are such personal things—you don’t
Wedding food tends to get a bad rap (because it’s so often
But, this is something you’ll want to talk to your partner about
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more than four people (max) should go to a tasting, as flavor
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KEEP THE GROUP SMALL
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KEEP SEASONALITY IN MIND
Tasting a mango salsa in June for your February wedding? Be aware that the mangoes in February on your wedding day may not be as ripe and delicious as you remember them being at
For your tasting party, stick to you, your partner, your wedding
your summertime tasting. A great caterer will always build a
planner, and the person paying for the affair if it isn’t you. No
menu around what produce is available and in season on the
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