How to Choose Food for a Wedding
Weddings are fraught with planning, planning and more planning. And once the particulars of the wedding itself have been determined—place, time, style, attendants—the reception planning is not far behind. In fact, the reception costs can assume the majority of a wedding budget. Food and drinks are expected by guests, and the menu is generally determined by your level of formality and financial state. But there are ways to have a filling, satisfying menu on any budget.
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Instructions
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How to Choose Food for a Wedding
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Decide on a reception budget. This will determine not only the cost of the wedding as a whole, but the amount you want to allot for food and drink. The food for a wedding can be extremely costly, as you must feed all attendants and guests. If you are unable to provide a filling meal, it may be best to invite fewer people or change the time of day. For those on a tight budget, have your wedding in the late morning or early afternoon to allow for a less-formal menu. An evening wedding is expected to provide a more official bill of fare.
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Determine how heavy a meal you wish to serve. Some choose to go with heavy hors d’oeuvres, while others prefer a sit-down meal. If spending is an issue, look at a menu of heavy hors d'oeuvres. Be sure to offer a variety of finger foods, as having an assortment will give the appearance of abundance. Allow the buffet to contain enough food for 2 to 3 passes per guest.
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Serve a multi-course meal if your finances allow for a formal sit-down dinner. Begin with a salad, then a soup, follow by the main course. The main course should contain a meat or a fish, but chicken is also acceptable. There should generally be 2 to 3 side dishes that are vegetable-heavy in nature, as some guests may be vegetarians or have diet restrictions. If possible, follow with a nice dessert bar containing cookies, cakes and chocolates. Again, try to have a variety in case of any dietary restrictions.
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Decide on the kinds of alcohol you wish to serve (unless you wish to have a "dry" wedding with no alcohol). Some wines and liquors are more expensive than others; some are more appropriate to a particular menu. If serving alcohol, you must also determine whether or not you wish to have an open bar (one that is free to all) or a pay-as-you-go bar. Open bars are, understandably, more of an expense to whomever is footing the bill. They can also lead to reception-goers consuming more than you wish to pay for.
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Research your caterer thoroughly before hiring. Word-of-mouth can serve you very well. Once that choice is made, take a few family members or friends to a tasting. Many caterers will allow for a tasting of the menu prior to the event, and this will give you peace of mind in your selections.
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Don't forget to eat. Due to the hectic activity, the bride and groom often don't get a bite. So relax, take pleasure in the reception, and don't forget to enjoy all the goodies you selected.
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Tips & Warnings
Shop around when looking for a caterer.
If budget is tight, cut down on your guest list or eliminate alcohol.
- Photo Credit Donna L. Taylor
