Hi Dotties,

An important element of your Wedding Day is the food that you and your groom-to-be decide to serve to the hungry masses!

From personal experience, one of the main things you remember after attending a friend’s wedding, apart from the beautiful ceremony and hilarious speeches; is the delicious canapés or amazing desserts. There are so many different catering options from a formal sit down meal to BBQ’s and buffet stations. Below are a few tips on choosing the best catering option for you…. whilst controlling that burgeoning budget!

  • Menu Tasting Sessions ~ they are great fun and the perfect opportunity to try out a number of dishes before making your final decision. It is worth checking with your venue/caterer if the Tasting Session is free or included with your booking.
  • Always check your venue’s food and drink policy before you book ~ are they flexible on changing the set menu? It is definitely worth asking, as opting for a starter and dessert from one menu, and the main from another could give you the Wedding Breakfast of your dreams, without the exorbitant bespoke menu prices ~ don’t be afraid to ask!
  • Are you holding your reception in a marquee on private land? When deciding upon your caterer, always ask for references and the contact details of previous clients that you can speak to.  There are also often hidden costs, so be sure to have a full understanding as to the overall cost ~ does it include waiting staff, glass hire, kitchen equipment costs and of course the dreaded VAT?

  • Seasonal food is more cost- effective, tastes fabulous and will save on ‘food miles’… giving you that warm fuzzy feeling! Ask your caterer to fill your menu with the best seasonal ingredients ~ for a month by month ‘foodie calendar’, check out  the Eat Seasonably Calendar.
  • An often forgotten cost ~ from photographers to musicians {& please don’t forget your lovely wedding planner!}… yes, feeding your fabulous suppliers! Many of them will be spending 8+ hours at your wedding, and will require more than a soggy sandwich to keep them running at full steam. A savvy option is to arrange for your venue/caterer to prepare a yummy, but cost-effective meal {a pasta-based meal, or simple chicken & vegetable type meal} for the team; this will cost approximately 1/3 of the price.
  • Take into consideration the timings {& style} of your big day ~ you can then reflect this in your food choices. For example, are you opting for a relaxed celebration? An ‘afternoon tea’ complete with bite-sized sandwiches and bubbly served in teacups to start, and a BBQ later in the evening could be a fantastic cost-effective option.
  • Children attending your wedding day? Many venues/caterers are happy to adapt your wedding menu and provide a child-friendly meal, at a reduced rate. It is great news for your budget, and means that poor little Freddie doesn’t need to get to grips with the Foie Gras!

Thought for the Day: If you have the time, search caterers online and take inspiration from their gorgeous edible treats and discuss recreating them with your caterer/venue, a favourite of mine is Rare Food (based in London), especially their miniature bottles of milk served with cookies…..I would swap the milk for Baileys though ~ the perfect midnight treat for the late-night revellers!

Happy planning, Jenna x

Images by Feather + Stone Photography via Laura and Brenton’s Rustic Queensland Wedding

Ms Gingham says: Food is such a great way of expressing love and bringing people together. It’s worth thinking about what you want to convey when you plan your menu. These are fabulous tips from Jenna.

About Jenna From Lucky Sixpence Events: “With over 10 years professional experience in event coordination & business management within the Arts, and a passion for creative design and all things ‘wedding’, I decided that it was time to merge my profession with my obsession; the result was Lucky Sixpence Events.”

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