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FAQs
| Why
Hire Classic Catering
MENU
IDEAS | BAR
PACKAGES
Food for Thought
Wedding Reception Food Ideas
Planning the Reception Menu is the most time and energy
you’ll ever put into a meal that you’ll barely
taste. And unless you or your fiancé regularly organize
soirees for one hundred or more guests, your wedding reception
may be the first time you’ve ever been called upon
to pull together food service for such an extensive gathering.
That is why choosing the right caterer for you means
so much.
Ultimately, the choices are yours, but Classic Catering
will guide you towards a successful reception meal.
We will assess your food ideas along with your reception
location, the time of year, as well as your budget (among
other things) to determine whether or not a particular dish
is feasible under the circumstances. If you’ve chosen
a reception location with limited or non-existent kitchen
facilities, your menu may need to consist of items that
can be partially prepared in advance and brought to the
reception for the final touches. There are three main things
to consider when determining your wedding reception food
ideas:
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Your preferred service
style. Are you looking for a formal or casual reception?
Do you want to designate who is going to sit with whom,
or do you want your guests to be able to mingle with the
masses. As service styles go, there is the full-service
formal sit-down style, the traditional and filling buffet,
the new and innovative small plate stations, or a cocktail
reception with heavy hors d’oeurves. All of which
offer different, but wonderful food choices.
Your guests’ likes and dislikes.
Since you and your new spouse will likely be too busy on
your big day to partake of the food yourselves, think for
a moment about the people who will actually be eating at
your reception. With a variety of guests come a variety
of tastes, and pleasing everyone, while still creating the
effects and memories you most want, can seem daunting, Classic
Catering can help you through this.
Naturally, budget comes into play. Whether you
are working with a tight budget or are able to throw caution
to the wind, there are many wonderful choices. Once you
determine the time of day for your reception, you will be
able to make sound menu selections. The first question,
therefore, is will your reception be a morning, afternoon,
or evening affair?
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What
About a Brunch or Afternoon Wedding Reception?
Wedding reception means dinner, right? Not necessarily.
You have a variety of options available. Mid-morning receptions
can be very appealing as brunch menus are generally less
expensive than a dinner service. Incorporate a food station
where guests have the opportunity to make their own waffles
and you can be certain that your reception will be a party
topic for months. For a casual afternoon reception, consider
eliminating the meal service entirely and host a cocktail
reception with a variety of hors d’oeuvres to satisfy
the rumblings in your guests’ bellies. This option
eliminates the need for seating assignments and allows your
guests to mingle freely throughout the reception. Once you
have determined the time of day for your meal, you are ready
to make menu choices.
Wedding Reception Themes
Do you have a wedding theme that will dictate or suggest
specific food types when planning food for your wedding
reception? This is not only a fun way to celebrate, but
having a wedding reception theme actually narrows the food
options and can make choices more manageable.
Some Cost Factors to Consider
It is important to determine whether your wedding facility
has a kitchen. Keep in mind that if your caterer needs to
bring equipment, your costs may rise. The style of service
can make the price go up or down. Do you want a buffet?
There is a widespread belief that buffets are a less expensive
option. However, we do have to overestimate the amount of
food that will be eaten in order to be fully prepared. Therefore,
in some cases, a buffet can cost more than, say, a cocktail
reception where the food is passed rather than made available
for seconds.
However, recently buffets have made a comeback in the form
of food stations, sometimes called small plates that are
spaced throughout the reception area. These smaller serving
areas offer choices without requiring your guests to wait
in a single, long, slow-moving line. And the inclusion of
carving stations and pasta bars make for a dining experience
that’s fun as well as tasty. But know that this form
of service can easily become similar in price as a sit-down
meal.
After the menu decision is made, then there is the staff
and any rentals necessary to consider. For general budget
guidelines of a full-service reception, please go to our
Budgeting a Catered
Event.
Just give us a call or click
here to fill out our Quote Request Form, and we will
be happy to work with you to create the best wedding reception
possible that considers your wishes, your tastes, and your
budget. Our calendar does fill up fast, so please
don’t delay getting in touch with us, especially if
your date is not flexible! |
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