Top tips for planning your dream wedding menu

Weddings are all about your love for each other, the beautiful outfits, the flowers, the stunning location you’ve chosen to say your vows, dancing with your guests, and… the food. What would the perfect wedding day be without the perfect wedding menu? 

If you’re anything like us, you’ll have dreamed of that ideal menu for as long as you’ve dreamt of your wedding. The delightful morsels of hors-d’oeuvres that surprise your guests when they first arrive, sumptuous appetisers, impressive mains, and breath-taking desserts – not to mention any sophisticated cocktails you offer up once the dancing is well underway. 

Below we list our top tips for planning your dream wedding menu, so that image becomes an even better reality:

Remember, this is meant to be fun 

Statistics have shown that 72% of newlywed or engaged couples found wedding planning stressful. Don’t fall into the trap of letting things overwhelm you, during what is meant to be a fun time that brings you closer together as a couple.

When it comes to catering, make sure you know exactly where it fits in your budget and avoid looking at options that would stretch this too much. Looking at caterers, you can’t afford will only cause unnecessary heartache. Similarly, steer clear of any undue expectations from well-meaning friends or family. If the idea of an expensive sit-down meal doesn’t appeal to you, don’t do it. 

Taste potential menus

It’s a great idea to sample a potential caterer’s food before your big day. Most reputable caterers will host taster days in some form or another. Try to keep the items you taste to a minimum; this limits the decisions you need to make, which will inevitably be difficult. You may dine as a group with other engaged couples or privately. Because they're labour-intensive, a caterer may have a set date & time for tastings. Be flexible and work around their schedule. Some caterers offer complimentary tastings, while most charge a fee, especially if you haven't signed a contract with them. If you do pay and then decide to go with that vendor later, that amount will often be deducted from your final catering bill. It's usually best if the tasters are just you and your groom and perhaps one or two trusted critics. It's nice to include your moms, especially if they're footing all or part of the bill or the best man and maid of honour. To avoid the “too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen” syndrome, many caterers will limit the number of attendees to four within a group.

Serve foods that reflect who you are

Your wedding day is one big reflection of you as a couple, and the wedding menu should be no exception. As we’ve stated above, if a certain ‘done’ thing isn’t your cup of tea, don’t feel pressured into complying.

Modern catering companies offer all sorts of alternatives to that traditional sit-down meal, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. Consider serving sharing platters with a selection of meats, cheese, and fruit in place of traditional hors-d’oeuvres. Bring in a BBQ, wood-fired pizza truck, or even a mobile bar. Instead of more commonplace after-dinner cakes, surprise your guests with an ice cream van or a sweet grazing table. The choice is yours!

Planning your dream wedding menu can be as traditional or unconventional as you like. Now more than ever, modern weddings reflect who the happy couple is, and your catering should be no exception. Best of all, an unusual wedding feast is sure to delight your guests and give them just one more reason to share in your joy.