Your big day will soon be a reality, and you’ve had your heart set on a rustic wedding. Now you’re finally putting plans into motion. You’ve already started scoping out venues, and you’ve got your eye on some of the very best heritage barn wedding venues the GTA has to offer.
Now you’re thinking about your guest list and one of the most important aspects of the whole day—the food.
How much does it cost to cater a wedding?
The cost of catering can vary widely, but some estimates peg the price around $12,000 or so. Some couples spend much less, while others will spend more. If you’re hoping to keep costs in check but still want to dazzle your guests, check out these catering tips for your heritage barn wedding.
1. This Is One of the Best Catering Tips for a Heritage Barn Wedding
There are many things you’ll need to keep in mind as you plan the menu for your wedding. You need to know how many guests there will be, who has special dietary requirements, and even what kind of style you want. Are you having a sit-down dinner, or are you going to do something a little more informal?
One of the best catering tips is to take a closer look at your venue. Does the venue offer on-site kitchen services or rental services? If not, your caterer will be bringing in everything from the outside. If you plan to have food that needs to be prepared on site or kept warm, you’ll want a venue with kitchen facilities.
This will help your caterer as you plan your menu, and it can help you keep costs down.
2. Make Sure You Have a Budget
This is probably the number-one catering tip for any wedding. Start with a budget. The catering will likely cost you up to one-third of your total wedding budget. There are many ways to save on catering, of course, so you may not spend quite so much.
Nonetheless, you should set out a budget early on in the process. With the average cost of catering running around $12,000 or more, you want to determine your price range early. Having a budget in hand will help you make better decisions.
3. Think about Rustic Delights for Your Menu
Now for the fun stuff. What’s actually going to be served at your wedding? If you’re booking a heritage barn wedding venue, you might want to make sure your menu is in line with your theme.
Work with your caterer closely as you develop your menu. Do you want to use only local, in-season produce? Your caterer can likely help you by pairing complementary flavours and dishes. They should also be able to help you source the ingredients.
Do you prefer a homier feel? You might want to consider some comfort classics. A summer wedding might want to consider farmhouse favourites like fried chicken or ice cream for dessert.
4. Get a Food Tasting
Another one of the best catering tips for any wedding is to be sure you get a food tasting included in your package. This allows you to sample the dishes you’re planning to serve at your wedding.
Food tastings are important because they give you the chance to try before you buy. Something might sound good on paper, but the execution might leave you underwhelmed. It’s your chance to work with your caterer to craft a menu that’s perfectly suited for your heritage barn wedding.
With these great catering tips, you can ensure the food you serve at your heritage barn wedding is one of the highlights of your big day.
