Your first meal as a couple should be special and reflect who you both are. You want to choose meals that really speak to you and that you will love. But, how do you go about not only picking what you want to eat as husband and wife but also what your guests will like? You are not the only ones that are going to be eating what you choose so you also have to keep the guests in mind – you invited them after all! There are a few rules of thumb to go by and you need to make sure you cover all the bases with your caterer so you don’t end p with a nasty surprise after its too late to do anything about it. So, here are some things you need to talk to your caterer about to ensure everyone will be happy and full on the big day.
i) Think about the guests
It’s hard to plan a meal without knowing who is going to be eating it so it is important to sit down with your guest list and consider everyone. Always think about the variety of guests that will be coming because you have individuals who may be vegetarians you need to take into consideration and things like that. So have a little something for everyone depending on whatever their diet restrictions are.
ii) Consider the season
Its important to consider what season your wedding will be in when planning the menu because that really decides what produce will be readily available in your area. For example, having fruits in the summer time is a little bit lighter and right for the season. But, not every dish has to be made from seasonal produce, its just a lot cheaper. If you must have a fruit salad in the dead of the cold season, go for it, but its going to come with a price.
iii) Remember the time of day
The time your reception will begin plays a big role in picking food that will be appropriate and pleasing. People don’t want to eat a huge meal at 10 in the morning no matter how well it is cooked so make sure the heaviness of the food and drinks matches when they will be served. You could maybe even offer different types of juice and/or things that are more in tune with the earlier in the day events as well.
iv) Decide how many courses
If you are doing a traditional sit-down meal, you need to decide what courses you want to include and which you do not. Do you want an appetizer course? How much food do you want to give everyone? Many people these days like to incorporate more dancing and less food, so maybe take away that appetizer course, so that a soup or a salad, or a soup and salad can be infused at the same time right into the entrée.
No matter how carefully planned your meal is, you must always plan for the unexpected. You don’t have to order double of everything but just tell your caterer that you would like one or two extra of each dish on hand in case someone changes their mind once they get there or an extra person shows up. The cost won’t be that great and will be well worth it if you do need to avert disaster at the last minute. Preparation is the key to making sure everyone is happy and not hungry, no matter what happens.
