No two wedding ceremonies are the same. Even if they are held at the same venue and have the same décor, the ceremony and reception will ultimately reflect the personalities and preferences of the couple. No matter what the budget is, couples will allocate their money in different ways. Music lovers might forgo expensive flowers to rent a band. Some couples might even nix the reception all-together to afford a big honeymoon.
Foodies are those that simply love and appreciate exquisite food. For foodies, a wedding is an opportune time to get creative with your caterer and feed your guests a great meal. At your foodie wedding, the menu will be the star (only behind you and your new spouse, of course!) When planning the menu for your big day, keep these foodie tips in mind as you work with your caterer.
Get Creative
There’s nothing a caterer loves more than working with a creative client that is full of exciting ideas to try. We love a good challenge and will work with you to make your dream reception a reality. Whether it’s tweaking an item on our current menu or trying something completely new, our chefs are trained to research, test and craft the tastiest food using the freshest ingredients possible.
One of our favorite examples of creativity came from Jordan and Houston’s wedding in 2015. The couple wanted a late-night snack to feed their guests after their reception full of dancing. We created mini pizzas with custom boxes, featuring Jordan and Houston’s picture. This foodie-forward idea even landed us in Buzzfeed!
Food for You
After all of this planning, you’ll need to enjoy the food, too! It is difficult to find time to take a bite during your reception. Between portraits, dancing and mingling, the reception will be over before you know it. Foodie brides need to make it a point to take time to eat at their reception. For some, this means setting aside a private meal for the bride and groom between the ceremony and reception.
At Bradford, we set aside a special to-go box for the couple to enjoy as they embark from their reception. No matter when or where you eventually eat, make sure to communicate with your caterer what food and how much of it you want to be saved for you and your significant other.
Foodie 411
Now, it is time for the fun part. There are great ways to make your menu interactive and stand out from the pack. Foodies love sharing photos of the gorgeous and delicious foods they have eaten so be sure your menu items are picture perfect. Some ideas include:
- Unique Printed Menu: For sit-down, formal dinners, having a playful menu is always exciting. This way guests are aware of what they are digging into. It’s a chance to play off of your invitation and save the date styles. This is a great way to highlight where ingredients are from if you are a fan of farm-to-table foods or sustainable sourcing,
- Creative Presentation: If you are trying to keep costs down, try different presentation styles to make simple foods look unique and enticing. For example, try soup and sandwich shooters, or decadent charcuterie boards.
- Action Stations: Starchtini, anyone? Stations for crafting individualized meals are always exciting. They allow guests to customize their meals and see it prepared right before their eyes. Bradford Catered Events offers alluring stations like an omelet station, pasta station, or flaming bananas foster!
- Signature Cocktails: Finally, show off your creativity with a signature couple’s cocktail! One way to keep alcohol costs down is by offering a single mixed drink option as your signature cocktail and then only offering wine and beer. If you are providing a full bar or cash bar, display your signature cocktail ingredients so guests are joining in on the fun. We offer full bar services and our certified mixologists will help you concoct a delightful drink.
Weddings and food bring people together like nothing else. What better way to celebrate your union than with a delicious meal? If you are looking to have a fabulous menu at your wedding, Bradford Catered Events can help. Let our years of experience help guide you as you plan your big day, from the menu, to the drinks, to the place settings. If you would like us to help you achieve the foodie wedding of your dreams call today at (865) 522-5552 or visit our website.
Leave a Reply