Weddings can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. With so many details to attend to and so many different things to consider, it can all feel overwhelming. One of the most important and expensive elements of a wedding is the menu—an importance that can lead to large amounts of stress.While other parts of the wedding may be stressful, planning your wedding menu doesn’t need to be. Here are five things to consider during the planning stage that will make the whole process much easier.
1. The Number of Guests
A lot depends on the size of the wedding—especially the food. The larger the number of guests, the more preparation and organization is needed to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. It’s important to set reasonable goals depending on the guest size. If you’re serving 250 guests, you may need to make certain alterations to the menu to ensure that everyone is served in a timely fashion and with consideration to their preferences. Setting unrealistic expectations when feeding a large group of people can derail an otherwise wonderful event.Choosing an experienced caterer will make sure your vision and expectations are achievable and able to work within your set budget.
2. Who Will Be in Attendance
Accommodating different needs is imperative when planning your wedding menu, regardless of the guest size. Many of your guests may have allergies or dietary restrictions that will need to be accommodated. Making sure that your wedding menu is flexible and can service everyone who is attending is very important. Again, the right caterer will help you navigate individual preferences and needs. It’s also important to consider age ranges. Are there children attending your wedding? They may need separate meals.
3. Alcohol Pairings
Some would argue the alcohol is almost as important as the food at a wedding, and we’re inclined to agree. When planning your wedding menu, it’s important to incorporate alcohol into your plans. This can mean actually providing alcohol pairings on the menu, or it can mean knowing which options are most suitable for the crowd you’re entertaining. Alcohol pairings that are tailored to your specific menu can be a nice touch that will also simplify the decision making process for guests. Don’t forget your signature drink that pairs with a part of your menu (appetizer, main, or dessert).
4. Budget
Providing food and drink at your wedding tends to be the most expensive part of getting married, and staying on budget is considered the most stressful part of planning a wedding. As a result, it’s imperative that you have a firm budget before beginning the process of planning your wedding menu and that you prioritize that budget all the way through. Ask caterers up front what their rates are, what is included in their services—from staffing to rentals and any service fees that may apply—and which services will require extra fees. Look at different catering styles, from buffet to sit-down meals, in terms of cost, and don’t be afraid to tell caterers your budget and ask them how they can work within it. Having a wedding menu action plan that upholds your budget is one of the best ways of dealing with dreaded wedding anxiety.
5. Catering Experience
Working closely with a caterer is one of the best tips we can give you when it comes to planning your wedding menu. With the right caterer, you can entrust a lot of the planning and worrying to them and focus on other aspects of your wedding. Caterers who come backed with years of experience are old hands at catering weddings; they’ll know how to prepare everything to perfection while accommodating the various needs of your guests. To ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to choose a caterer that has extensive experience and that you feel you can trust. Never be afraid to ask for referrals and reviews on your caterer. A quality one will be happy to provide you with references.
