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Keeping your guests fed and watered is the difference between happy, smiling peeps cutting loose on the dancefloor, and surly grumps who keep eyeballing the waitstaff in the hope of a bread roll. In other words, your wedding catering matters. A lot.
Luckily, the quality and diversity of wedding caterers has never been better, and we now see some truly inspiring culinary feats being pulled off at weddings right across Canberra. Long gone are the days of alternating chicken or beef (thank goodness!). Instead, you are more likely to have one of the most memorable meals of your life when you attend a wedding these days, whether it be served sitting down, as canapes at a cocktail function or out the back of a groovy food truck.
So, what are some of the main considerations when talking wedding catering? Do you want a formal sit-down meal or are you looking for a more laid-back approach? Are you getting married at a venue or are you having an outdoor wedding? And how the hell do you find the right catering company anyway?
Having a seated reception offers a few advantages. Guests have somewhere to drop purses, jackets and phones. More importantly, you can control the tempo and flow of the wedding by having a pre-reception drinks area, weaving speeches around your courses, and then shifting into party mode after dinner. A sit-down meal also allows you to be more creative with the type of food you serve – after all, it’s a lot easier to tuck into lobster at the table than it is standing up!
But the formality of a sit-down dinner doesn’t suit everyone, and we’re now noticing more and more couples opting for the free-wheeling approach that a cocktail style event gives.
A cocktail event allows guests to mingle more freely, but no one wants to spend all night standing up! You’ll still need some standing tables and a few cosy nooks where people can put their feet up. When it comes to the catering, you need to be sure that even if you’re only serving canapes, guests still have plenty to eat. After the ceremony, start with some nibbles or perhaps a grazing table for those hungry souls who forgot to eat lunch before they left home. As the night goes on, you’ll want to progress to more substantial dishes. A well-timed dessert course will give people the sugar hit they need to keep that dancefloor heaving. And there is nothing better than a late night round of toasties or sliders to soak up some of that booze.
Can’t decide? Why not enjoy the best of both worlds? Have roaming entrees and then direct everyone to the table for the main course. Then, have dessert canapes circling the dancefloor – a sure-fire way to get people up on their feet!
Contrary to popular belief, cocktail weddings aren’t necessarily cheaper than a sit-down meal. It all depends on the menu and drinks list! So, if budgeting is your main concern, make sure you do your homework and suss out both sit-down and cocktail options.
Our hearts sing with joy at the sight of a food truck or caravan bar at a wedding. They’re super cute, add an instant element of fun and invoke a fancy-free festival-feeling to help put your guests at ease.
From pop-up prosecco carts to barista coffee vans or airstream campers with full bar service, there are heaps of different ways to incorporate a bit of caravan fun into your drinks service. Better yet, some caravan bars offer a BYO option so you can save some coin on booze while still having a professional slinging drinks!
And there is plenty of scope for creativity when it comes to food trucks as well. From dumplings to burgers, woodfired pizzas, Mexican street food or deluxe canapes, food trucks have rocketed into the culinary stratosphere in recent years. Don’t like the idea of a full-service food truck? How about a gelato van just for dessert?
Not only do food trucks and caravan bars add a touch of whimsy to your wedding, they also make awesome backdrops to your wedding photos.
Obviously, this depends on the caterer, but you will need to make sure you are clear on exactly what is included so nothing critical is missed (um, where are the forks?). When you get a quote from one of our brilliant Canberra caterers, make sure you ask about:
A good wedding caterer will be able to accommodate any dietary requirements, allergies or special requests. Many couples also appreciate a caterer who is able to provide all the relevant staff and equipment to simplify their planning process. But probably most importantly is having a caterer who listens to you and your partners vision for the day and works constructively with your other vendors to ensure your wedding goes off without a hitch. As with any wedding vendor, take the time to chat with each wedding caterer and get a feel for what they offer.
Our crack team of Canberra wedding caterers have all the experience and skills required to pull off the magical feat of sated, happy guests. Head on over to our Wedding Caterers vendors page to start browsing. Create an account to start shortlisting favourites, making notes and saving quotes! Planning a wedding simply couldn’t be easier!
