PL ANNING
Do you have the same vision?
What kind of meal appeals to you?
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Depending on the vibe and formality of your event, there are plenty of tasty choices to consider when it comes to serving your guests. If you want a constantly bustling party, a dinner of passed apps and interactive stations may work for you. But if you’re looking for something more formal, a sit-down meal is always on trend. Want guests to interact with their surroundings? Hire foodie-themed entertainment like a flair bartender, ballerinas to serve champagne or even a few bow-tie-clad oyster shuckers. Whatever feels right for your day, make sure your catering team is on board to execute. Staffing and equipment needs can vary greatly between a buffet meal and multicourse plated dinner, so plan your style from the get-go in case it affects the overall cost of the services.
Can you sample their menu in advance? Researching caterers through reviews and sample menus is a great start, but taste-testing the food yourself is a must-do, and it’s a delicious part of the process. Sitting down for a tasting before your wedding day will help you and your caterer plan out a cohesive menu and eliminate any dishes that don’t suit you and your partner.
Can they handle food allergies? Depending on your guests’ needs, there may be special dietary restrictions your caterer should plan for in advance. See if your team is able to prepare vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher or halal meals if guests should request or need them, and what the additional cost per plate may be. While you’re at it, if you’re planning on having children at your reception, ask about including a kid-friendly menu or smaller portions. You’ll also want to learn about meal options for serving wedding pros the day of (a must). Ask what date your caterer needs to know your final menu choices and guest head count by. Then, base your RSVP date on that to ensure all responses from guests are in at least two weeks before your catering head count is due to their team.
5 alternatives to a traditional sit-down meal Plated service isn’t the only option. Personalize your meal with one of these fun (and tasty) swaps.
A movable feast
Skip the seats and instead delight your guests with a bevy of passed plates piled high with hearty appetizers and filling finger foods for a cocktail party atmosphere.
Family style
Top your tables with platters of mains (like fish, steak and chicken) and yummy sides, then let guests pass around the plates and serve themselves. It’s a great way to keep the conversation flowing.
European family style
Similar to traditional family style, except each guest selects their main meal course and only the side dishes are shared among the guests.
All action eats
For a meal that feeds and entertains at the same time, create a culinary circuit of interactive stations serving foods like make-your-own burgers, tacos, pasta, sushi and more.
Drive-in dinner
Round up a few of your favorite food trucks to serve guests for a charming picnic-style event. Be sure your venue has an accessible gravel patch for the vehicles, as well as electrical access.
R ACHEL HAVEL PHOTOGR APHY; C ATERING: HOTEL JEROME
You want your wedding day to be a reflection of you two, so your reception menu should be also. If you have a particular cuisine in mind, seek out a caterer who specializes in it. They’ll not only boast all the right resources (like the perfect shop to secure that French cheese you love for cocktail hour), but also know how to properly prepare and serve specialty dishes on a large scale, promising a better and tastier event. Expecting a Southern barbecue crew to execute a traditional Indian menu probably isn’t going to end well for anyone, so inquire ahead of time about your top picks for cuisine specialties and ask to see sample menus.
F I N D YO U R C AT E R E R AT TheKnot.com/marketplace
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5/14/19 8:47 AM