The Main Aspects of Planning the Wedding Menu

One of the key aspects of your wedding is the menu. How do you come up with a wedding menu that everyone will enjoy that will meet the needs of every guest and provide options for people with food sensitivities? While meeting this criteria you also need to ensure that the food is aesthetically pleasing and flavourful. How do you accomplish this within the budget you have allocated for food? Read on to explore the main aspects of planning the wedding menu and help you to get every detail just right for your big day.

Decide on an Accurate Budget

The best way to decide on how much to spend is to know your guest number and then multiply that by about thirty dollars. Choosing between a sit down dinner which generally includes appetizers, cocktails, a three course meal and a dessert or a buffet style dinner can also affect your budget. A good caterer can help you to narrow down your options, choose the theme and type of food(s) and come up with an accurate number. Once you are happy with the budget number you will probably want to get a contract signed and get that number on paper so you can rely upon it.

Find a Caterer Now

Once you have your wedding date nailed down, start looking for your caterer. The best caterers can be booked up to two years in advance and some venues will only work with certain caterers or may insist that you use their on-site caterers. If you insist on bringing your own chef to a venue you could be charged extra, and the same thing applies for bringing your own home brewed wine or beer. Whether you choose your own caterer or go with one that is connected to the venue, you should arrange for a tasting to get an idea of the menu and items that everyone will like.

Will Your Guests Enjoy The Food?

Although you will be tempted to choose your own favourite foods, you have to keep in mind that you want to choose foods that everyone will enjoy. When you choose foods that the majority of your guests will enjoy you we be spending your money more wisely. You can also ask your guests to let you know if they have any allergies or sensitivities so your caterer can make special allowances and provide an option for every guest. Where possible, opt for local - an experienced chef will plan their menu to incorporate local foods so that the menu will be flavourful and fresh. Work with a catering company that will make use of available fresh foods and make your menu memorable and delicious.

Personal Touches Make Your Day Great

When you plan your wedding menu around dishes that have special meaning it helps people to understand the story of your relationship. It could be a special wine that you shared over a romantic dinner or the first meal you ate together. Whatever the story and the foods, when and if you can incorporate them, people will love the fact that there is a story behind every dish.

What Style of Food Service will you Choose?

l Plate service means that the caterer will likely need more staff to assist and ensure that adequate service is provided to guests. Guests will not have a choice in what they are served and portions will be pre-determined. Red and White wine options are also generally included to be served with the dinner and coffee and tea after the meal with dessert.

l Buffet service means that guests can choose their own foods and portions. You will need to choose foods that will withstand being heated for a longer period of time without drying out too much. Although the staff requirements are smaller, the cost of rental equipment may be higher with the need for chafing dishes and tables.

l Family Style is where several dishes are placed on the table and are passed around between guests. Dishes are replaced once they are emptied at least once so that everyone gets an adequate amount of food.

l Station buffets are another option, offering certain types of food and guests becoming interactive with toppings on the end result. One example is tacos where guests can have their meat cooked with a specific sauce with cheese and the shell heated up. The taco is then passed over to the guest where they can then add toppings to personalize their taco.

Where you can Save Money

Your wedding dinner has a couple of main components which are the price of the food and the cost of serving it. This cost includes the cost of rental equipment (tables and chairs, chafing dishes, plates, cutlery, glasses, napkins, table centerpieces, ice sculptures, etc.), staff costs and service charges. The gratuity is also factored into that larger cost. If you want an expensive food item included but it’s not in your budget you can include them in smaller appetizers. Talk with your caterer to see where costs can be cut to fit within your particular budget.

Wedding etiquette does not mean that you have to serve up a dinner beyond your budget to impress people. All you are expected to do is throw a thoughtful celebration that is gracious and expresses the tastes of you and your partner. If you want to enjoy your day and not have to worry about the catering costs, consider a venue where these costs are included.

Weddings At Tiffanys is an incredible venue that provides a completely unforgettable experience. If you are unsure about where to start, Weddings at Tiffanys has all of the answers because of their vast experience with wedding planning and delivery. From the moment you become engaged and start to consider where you should get married, you can save a lot of stress and anxiety. Our wedding planners will make sure that you are on track to enjoy the best day of your life. Contact this amazing venue now and explore the massive possibilities for planning your wedding.

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