A wedding day - the most
important day of a girl's life some might say. And after the dress and
the venue and the honeymoon, well the food is pretty crucial too!
Whilst
there are a thousand ways to do the food at a wedding - from fish and
chip van to Indian buffet to sit down five course banquet - great food
means happy guests, and an even more memorable day. So it's important to
get it absolutely right.
Paying a Corporate Catering
is the answer for many couples. And there are a huge number of
companies specializing in wedding catering in the UK - companies who
perhaps do corporate and private parties too, but who, overall, make
wedding business their business.
Much of your decision making
process about your wedding caterer should be dictated by the type of
wedding you want. Are you looking for an urban city affair with a
minimalist reception venue and a modern European menu? Or will it be a
rustic day, with spring flowers in ribbon tied jam jars, hay bales to
sit on and a hog roast by the barn? Perhaps you are thinking about a
theme - do you have a seaside venue in mind, then serve local fish and
seafood. Or lots of Caribbean family - how about a Caribbean style
barbecue?
Wedding caterers can vary hugely in price and in
product. Low key, casual and less formal weddings may benefit from
smaller, more relaxed catering companies. But if budget is no issue,
then the world is your oyster and you can find companies who will
provide ice towers laden with the finest caviar and luges pouring the
most superb vodka.
Choosing your Corporate Catering
is therefore crucial. Do your research - ask for recommendations, speak
to other brides, or to the planning staff at your chosen venue (venues
often provide a list of professionals they prefer to work with). Ask
your photographer, florist and other wedding suppliers whether they can
recommend a great caterer. Look for testimonials that might give you a
steer on whether a wedding catering company really knows what they are
doing. If a number of brides have recently written glowing letters of
recommendation after their big days, then you can be pretty sure a
caterer is able to do the same for you.
The lovely thing about
paying a proper wedding caterer is that you can really relax on the big
day, safe in the knowledge that a whole team with all the relevant
skills and experience will be responsible for getting it right, so that
you can concentrate on the vows, the speeches and first dance!
At
the outset, it is very important to focus on the menu - and you can
talk to your potential wedding caterers about this very early on. Get
them to suggest ideas. Talk about what suits you as a couple, and get
advice on what is right for the venue, the overall occasion and for your
guests. If the produce is excellently sourced and excellently cooked,
even sausages and mash can be perfect for a wedding meal. Ask your
caterer about what is seasonal, and what they think of as their
signature wedding dishes. If you want canapes before the meal, when
people arrive and drink their first glass of icy champagne, then ask to
see a canape list - getting these right really makes an important first
impression and is a great way of wowing your guests before they have
even sat down!
Don't forget your wedding cake - most wedding
caterers will look after that too - ask to see photos of past cakes and
you will soon get an idea for what you do or don't want. Traditional
white tiered fruitcake? Or gorgeous fun and frivolous cupcakes with your
initials on?