Wedding Food - A Perfect Wedding Planning

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Written by BeNice

Your caterer can make or break your wedding. If the meat is overcooked and the chicken is rubbery your guests will go home disappointed. But if the food is top-notch, they won't be able to stop talking about it. It's been three years since my wedding
and I still get compliments from friends on how much they enjoyed the Jumbo Shrimp and the Lamb Chops!

Food will also be one of your biggest wedding expenses so you'll want to be sure you get enough bang for your buck.

Many reception halls that specialize in weddings have their own cook staff on hand and will handle all of the details for you. If not, you'll have to find your own caterer.

Whichever you decide, there are a few questions you should ask when you meet with them:

What is the cost per head? Do children receive a discounted rate?

Is gratuity included or is there an extra charge?

How many entree selections will be offered? Typically you are allowed a fish, a beef, and a chicken dish.

Do they have a liquor license or do you have to supply your own?

Will they also supply the linens, glasses, silverware, etc?

You may also want to consider serving your wedding food buffet style. It is usually cheaper than a sit-down meal and this way your guests can try a little of everything.

If you do choose a sit-down dinner, you can expect something like the following:

The evening will start with a cocktail hour where the guests can mingle and serve themselves buffet style. Popular items to serve at this time include fresh fruit, assorted cheeses, fried calamari, and various butler served hor'deurves. There may also be sous chefs manning pasta stations or meat-carving stations, and the bar will open for the guests.

Once the cocktail hour ends, the guests will find their seats so the bride and groom can make their entrance. After the standard first dances, the best man (and sometimes the maid of honor) will make a champagne toast. Children are usually given some sparkling cider so they can participate too.

After the toast soup or salad is served. Often this will be followed by Intermezzo, which a small serving of sorbet that is meant to cleanse the palate before the entree is served.

Up next is the main course, in which it is customary to give guests a choice of entrees.

Following dinner, coffee is served and the wedding cake is cut. Some couples also choose to have a Venetian Hour. This is an extended dessert that includes all sorts of cakes, pastries, and fresh fruit. You can even add specialty items such as a zeppole station or an ice-cream station. Alcoholic beverages may or may not be served during dessert.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 April 2008 )

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