You’ve chosen your wedding day and visited your favorite venues, so now it’s time to take a look at your wedding menu and decide which items to keep in mind. There will be many different things to plan for your special day, but your wedding menu is one detail you don’t want to rush. This is an essential part of your reception, but many couples often overlook this aspect.
When it comes to choosing wedding food, there are many things to consider. It is your wedding and you have the right to choose the food of your choice, but it would be wrong to choose something less than perfect. The majority of your guests may not enjoy it. It’s not easy to cater to everyone’s tastes at a big wedding Schedule, You and your significant other may like sushi, but your grandmother likes meat and potatoes. Then you have to decide on the buffet, sit-down meals, appetizer schedule, and more.
Apart from the venue and entertainment, if you choose the wedding menu wisely, the menu will be remembered as a high point in many conversations. People are more interested in food than what the menu is like.
We have brought you a few things to consider before deciding on your wedding menu, so you can easily choose your menu.
- Set Your Budget
The first step when planning your wedding menu is to set your budget so you decide how much you can spend per person. You’ll have to think about the number of guests, any special features you want to include, and the serving style. Some styles will cost more than others. So if you need to reduce your budget, be flexible. For instance, plated menus will require servers which will increase costs. Whereas a sharing table will be cheaper.
Whether your venue has an onsite restaurant or you’re working with a caterer, they’ll talk to you about package deals and possibly options for alcoholic beverage inclusions. All you need to do is figure out how much you are able or willing to spend and then work with your planner or caterer to determine which plates or buffet options work within the allotted amount.
- Look For Inspirations
Many couples sit down to talk with their caterer but aren’t sure what to start with, so don’t worry if you already have a vision for your menu ready to share with your caterer. And if you don’t have such a vision, don’t worry, there are many ways to gather inspiration. First think of a genre that you might like, for example, a period of history, or a theme or a movie that you like. Another option is to look at your relatives and see if there is a place you’ve been that you like and enjoyed. In this way, you can gather your inspiration or consider your heritage, do you have roots from a different culture that you want to highlight?
- Seasonal Menu
Another important point on how to choose your wedding menu is to think about the season when your wedding date is fixed. Choose a seasonal food menu that will make your wedding more spectacular. This way you will have access to different components. For example, light foods like fresh salads, chicken, and fish complement the summer heat. Whereas, creamy soups and indulgent roasts work best for winter. Also, by opting for seasonal and locally sourced ingredients you’ll be making sure that your menu is eco-friendly.
Seasonal food is always superior in flavor, quality, and overall freshness. Each season offers foods that are best suited for that time of year. It’s the easiest way to delight your guests by providing a fresh and flavorful dinner they’ll love. Winter is your best time to incorporate rich pasta dishes with root veggies, soups, and anything creamy you wouldn’t usually serve any other time of year.
- Choose A Serving Style
There are a few serving styles to consider when planning your wedding menu.
- Traditional Style
The most standard serving style at a wedding is the traditional plated sit-down dinner. Guests typically pre-select an entrée of choice when submitting their RSVP, then enjoy it at a formal seated dinner that is served to them.
- Buffet style
Another popular choice is the style of serving food, which offers many entrees and sides so that guests can walk through the line and choose what and how much they want. The more you serve, the more expensive it gets, but guests love this style because it offers variety. A fancier alternative is offering self-serve stations with plated options for guests to grab. However, these stations take up a lot of space and generally don’t work well for large weddings.
- Family Style
In this style, different platters of food are served and the table is set around and can be enjoyed as if you are eating with family at home. It’s a little less formal than the Pulled option but better than the Buffet option. This style also tends to be a bit pricier than others because of the service needed to accommodate everything involved in these coursed dinners.
If your primary concern is presentation and elegance, perhaps a fancy-plated dinner is your best option. However, if you want plenty of variety for your guests, a buffet-style dinner is likely your best bet.
- Don’t Forget Drink
Drinks are also a big part of your function, but they have to complement the menu, so consider cocktails and specialty drinks. You can add a welcome drink to highlight your wedding theme. Consider the weather. For example, an iced tea or lemonade dispenser for a fresh summer celebration. Or a hot chocolate and mulled wine station for a cozy winter wedding. Think about having canapes served with drinks.
You can keep the bar open all night, but be aware that it can be very expensive, and there’s always the possibility that some guests will overindulge. Instead of having the alcohol flow freely at your expense, you could serve champagne to guests as they arrive, wine with the meal, and beer and specialty drinks afterward. Place bottles on the tables family-style so your guests can enjoy them comfortably.
- Ask For Tasting Sessions
One of the best parts about choosing your menu is getting to try the food you choose. First, select the caterer and serving style then make sure to plan the tasting sessions. Some caterers will include a tasting with their menu package while others may charge extra. But keep in mind that it is important to try the food before paying such a huge amount.
You need to be happy with everything on your special day, so when you talk to your caterer you must communicate exactly what you want. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions.
- Balance Between You And Your Guest
Choose foods that you and your spouse like. Remember, this meal is also thanking your guests for taking the time to attend your wedding. So you and your partner should make decisions based on foods that you both enjoy, but keep in mind that food is also a gift for your guests. A great way to balance these factors is to add bits and pieces of your favorite foods to your choices
Buffet style is the easiest way to please everyone as you can add a few other options in addition to your favorite food that your guests can also enjoy. If the two of you have a favorite meal that isn’t exactly fit for a wedding, see if the caterer you are working with can develop a fancy alternative that your guests will woo over.
- Avoid Certain Food
There are certain foods and ingredients to be avoided completely, such as raw onions and garlic, which create bad breath and slowly dance away those romantic feelings. Foods with a high splatter factor will stain those guests who are dressed to impress, and risky foods with raw ingredients might not suit everyone’s taste buds and can be unsafe. If you want to try something new, serve donuts instead of cake, your guests will love it.
- Food Quality
When choosing a wedding menu your priorities should be at the top of the list – the quality of the food can make or break the event Which you are planning.No one will remember the special or momentous occasion when all people talk about afterward is how bad the food was. Ask friends or family members if they know of a company with high-quality food. Before you make your final decision, check out the crockery in which your guests will be served. The quality of the crockery should also be of a standard that makes your guests feel special.
- Customer Reviews
Customer reviews of the caterer’s services are essential to know what kind of services they provide. If the catering company has been recommended by someone you know, you can ask them about their first-hand experience. If it’s a company you found through research, make sure you read the reviews.
