How to Plan your Wedding Catering

A wedding is no small occasion, and you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you!  But before you start trying to decide between steak or sandwiches, first you should decide how you’re going to serve everything.  Wedding catering shouldn’t be stressful to you, and to help with this, here is some advice on different serving styles, and which style works best with each type of menu.  Before you make up your mind there are several factors to consider.  Probably the most important of all of these factors is your guests.  Is your wedding catering reception going to be primarily made up of younger guests?  If so, plan on going for a buffet approach, as a lengthy seated evening will likely feel too drawn out and boring to them.  If your wedding guests will be mostly elderly individuals this shouldn’t be as much of a concern as it will mean less time up on their feet and will give your guests more of a chance to socialize.  Don’t forget about the obvious details, though.  For example, if your wedding reception has an exceedingly high guest list, don’t even consider a buffet, as it will mean your guests will be up and hungry for far too long without being able to access any of your delicious meals.  You don’t want anyone to spend time they could have spent socializing waiting in line instead–it’s just bad practice.

Formality Within your Wedding Catering

Another important thing to take into consideration is the formality of your event.  If your wedding catering reception is intended to be exceptionally formal, then perhaps a buffet isn’t what you’re looking for.  Don’t take me wrong, buffets are perfectly acceptable within all catered circumstances, it just may not be what you are necessarily looking for.  If you have the imagine of a perfect wedding catering reception where everyone is wearing bowties and jade pendants and enjoying sophisticated conversation while relaxing on an expensive alcoholic drink, then don’t plan on a sandwich buffet.

Wedding Catering and Timing

Sometimes you may not need to offer a traditional five course meal.  Wedding catering can be quite costly and will typically be about half of your wedding’s budget, so any way to cut down cost is always a good thing.  If your wedding catering reception takes place in the late evening, it may not be necessary to serve a dinner.  Instead, consider serving cocktails, desserts or, if it’s winter, maybe even hot chocolate.  Similarly if your reception takes place in the morning, then offering a brunch or breakfast menu can be ridiculously simple.  Pancakes or French toast?  Eggs or omlets?  Orange juice or milk?  Literally that simple.

Copyright 2011 Surf Brothers Teriyaki is a local San Diego restaurant and caterer.  Surf Brothers does all kinds of catering, including wedding catering, wedding rehearsals, wedding dinners and wedding receptions.