By: Trisha Jefford
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to the food at your wedding. The first few have nothing to do with the food itself. Will you get a caterer or try to do it yourself? Does your venue allow outside caterers?
If your venue allows and you decide to hire a caterer, that comes with a lot of decisions of its own. Lilly already did a great post about questions to cover during caterer interviews.
Though final food decisions will be made closer to your wedding date, deciding on a caterer does require that you make some decisions about the food. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Is there a type of food that fits your theme?
- Is there a dish that has special meaning to you and your intended?
- Are there any vegetarians attending?
- Does anyone have allergies?
- Are there any other dietary concerns?
How To Prepare For Everyone On Your Guest List
You can’t be expected to know the dietary issues of everyone on your guest list, especially if people are bringing plus ones you don’t know. While you can request that people put food preferences on their rsvp, it might be easier just to incorporate a little bit of everything. You can have one fully indulgent dessert, and one that takes lactose, gluten, and/or sugar into account. You can have entrees and sides both with and without animal products. You might even be able to get different versions of the same dish so that people don’t feel segregated.
Ask your potential caterers what lactose-free desserts they have, and if they have entrees that are vegetarian and can have meat added for the carnivores. There might even be a gluten-free dessert option. If the caterer is willing to work with you, then you know you’ll have a good experience on your hands.
Final counts and menu won’t be covered until later in the process, but you’ll want rough numbers and food ideas so that you can get a budget estimate.
How To Find A Good Local Caterer
While you’re brainstorming, look at a site with a bunch of local caterers so you can weigh your options. The service listed above, EZ Cater, lists the businesses’ catering menus and you can even book through them for free. You can search by your area and see reviews of people who have used them in the past.
Another great resource for all things involving wedding planning is people you know. Whether you have friends who have been married recently or just know people who have gone to weddings, you can bet you’ll find people with opinions on caterers, florists, deejays, and all other sorts of vendors. You might even find a friend with connections who can get you a deal on certain services. So put out a bulletin on Facebook, Twitter, or whatever social media you use this week and see what other people have to say. Just remember, the final decision is up to you.
Planning a wedding is not a job for one person. You and your fiancé will need to work together and not be afraid to ask for help. Luckily, the internet is full of advice, resources, and tips for pulling off a great wedding with (hopefully) as little stress as possible.
