Most people consider wedding season to consist of the summer months, and many couples will tie the knot any time from May until September. Winter weddings are less common, but for some couples, they’re much more magical and meaningful.
If you’ve booked a winter wedding, you’ve no doubt been told about the challenges you’ll face. Everything from the weather to the lack of heating in some venues could present a problem. Another aspect you’ll need to consider carefully is the food at your wedding. Weddings in the winter present some unique challenges, and your guests will probably appreciate different menu selections than you might otherwise consider.
These five catering tips will help you keep the crowd warm and happy during your big day.
1. Catering Tips for a Winter Wedding Must Focus on Keeping Food Hot
Most of the food you’ll serve at your winter wedding will likely be warm dishes. In the summer, you might get away with serving cool salads, ice cream, and fresh fruit. In the winter, your guests are going to appreciate anything hot so they can warm up.
Tucking these catering tips under your hat is key. You’ll need to consider what will be served warm. Then you must check the venue’s facilities. Are they able to keep food piping hot or warm it up on site? If not, you might want to book a different venue.
If you can’t keep food warm at the venue or heat it back up there, you’ll also need to consider very carefully how far the food needs to travel, how it will be kept warm on the way over, and when it needs to arrive so it can be served hot.
2. Focus on Comfort Foods
During the winter, most people enjoy eating heavier, heartier dishes. Many comfort foods will grace the list of people’s favourite winter dishes, and you should probably see to it that some of those make it onto your winter wedding menu.
Think about dishes like shepherd’s pie, lasagna, and even a hearty roast beef dinner. Comfort foods will keep your guests content. Appetizer hour can include miniature pasta dishes like mac-and-cheese bites or demi-forks of spaghetti and meatballs.
3. Think about Rich, Earthy Flavours
Not much is truly in season during the winter, which is why most winter menus feature a selection of fall flavours. You’ll want to consider rich flavours, like beef, cheese, and wine. Earthy flavours like beets, carrots, and squashes are also popular choices for a wintertime wedding.
One of the most important catering tips for a menu full of flavour is to work closely with your caterer. They can help you blend the menu together seamlessly to create a richer, more satisfying flavour experience for your guests.
4. Trade Salads for Soups
Summer weddings most often feature a selection of salads. At a winter wedding, you might want to swap starter salads for starter soups instead. Making the switch can help your guests feel warmer and more content. Shot glasses of tomato soup with grilled cheese wedges can make for delicious hors d’oeuvres.
5. Turn up the Heat with Spice
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, a classic catering tip for wintertime weddings is to turn up the heat with a bit of spice. Be sure to keep your guests in mind when you design the menu. A few more savoury dishes may be in order to balance things out and keep everyone happy.
Once you’ve done that, though, feel free to warm people up by spicing up a few dishes.
These are just a few catering tips for your winter wedding. Work with your caterer to craft a delightful, flavourful menu for your guests, and everyone will look back on your big day with fond memories and warm feelings.
