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Most people have simple tastes, so cater to popular choice.
All-Inclusive Packages
Most venues and professional catering companies offer a choice of set menus and charge per head. If possible, have a meal in the hotel restaurant to determine the quality of the food and the standard of service. Or, if you are employing caterers, taste sample food before you make final decisions.
Ask if you can vary set menus to suit the timetable or theme of your day - your suggestions may be welcomed, especially if it makes lighter work for the catering staff. For example, serving a good variety of canap�s along with the welcoming drinks will satisfy the hunger of your starving guests as they wait for everyone to file past the receiving line. It will also give the bride and groom time to freshen up before the formal meal. In sufficient quantities, the canap�s may serve as the first course should you decide to do the speeches first and allow the nervous speech-makers the opportunity to relax and enjoy their main meal. Choices should include meat, fish and vegetables. For example, spiced sweet potato, tiger prawns with ginger and lemon, sausages cooked in honey and Worcestershire sauce, olives in cheese pastry. Warm cups of soup could also be served in the colder months.
You may decide you want to have the "cutting of the cake" before the meal so that it can be served as the dessert course. Or, for example, if you have an Italian theme, maybe the sweet course could be self-service ice cream from a canopied ice cream stall.
Your careful planning will be appreciated, even if the menu is the usual melon, chicken and chocolate pudding.
Buffets
These can be either finger buffets, fork buffets or seated buffets. A seated buffet is where the guests have an assigned seat and are served one or more courses with the others being self-service and the catering staff replenish the table on-going. For any buffet always have two food tables to prevent the long queues and provide a separate table for drinks and for empty plates.
When catering for evening buffets, order one buffet meal between two, otherwise, as on most occasions, there will be loads of food left over.
A barbeque is perfect for summer weddings, either as the main course or as the evening buffet.
Outside Catering
The food served at your favourite restaurant may be perfect for your reception. Maybe you could negotiate a deal with your venue for a higher hire charge for the room on the basis that you can arrange the outside catering yourself. On balance it could still save you money and the venue will still make the same profit margin.
DIY Catering
It's important to plan your menus carefully, keeping them simple and trying them out beforehand. Prepare as much as possible before the day. You'll also need to consider where food will be stored or frozen, remembering to defrost in plenty of time. Arrange to hire crockery and equipment well in advance.
(Remember that fish and chips were good enough for Kate Winslet. Maybe your local Pizza Hut or McDonald's can cater for your day!)
Catering Tips
