Catering
The professional caterer is the most important person in putting your wedding reception together. After the ceremony your guests will look forward to your reception as a time to share in your happiness and celebrate with food and drink. Whether you serve champagne and cake, or have a formal sit-down dinner, it is essential that you hire the caterer whose services will meet the needs and style of your reception.
Caterers today offer a wide variety of menus and services. You will find caterers ranging from those who provide a simple light fare to those who offer full service including elaborate cuisine as well as ambiance. The full-service caterer will assist you with many of the details which create the atmosphere for your reception with decorations, table linens, beautiful serving pieces and in some cases, even music.
The time of day, the location of your reception, the number of guests, and your budget will help you determine the services you will need and the type of cuisine you will wish to serve. After determining your specifications you can begin looking for the caterer best suited to meet your needs.
A great deal of planning and special attention need to be given to the reception; therefore, it is wise to select a caterer as early as possible. If your reception is being held at a hotel, catering services will probably be provided by hotel staff. Regardless of which caterer you might choose, there are certain questions you will want to ask of any caterer before you make your final selection.
What menu selections are available? The most important thing is that the caterer prepares the type of cuisine you wish to serve your guests. You might choose anything from a light brunch to an elaborate sit-down dinner, depending on the time of your reception. Ask the caterer what the specialties are and what might be recommended for your particular reception.
Does the caterer provide full service? Does service include food and drink preparation, wait staff, place settings, centerpieces and set-up and clean-up?
What is the complete cost of the catering service? Does the cost include delivery charges? Are there charges for overtime? What type of deposit is required? Remember to ask about such items as gratuities for service people, and charges for cake set-up, cutting and take-down.
Once you have chosen your caterer, discuss all the necessary details and put the catering specifics in writing. You should include costs and your estimates for the number of guests. Both you and the caterer should sign the agreement.
In the months and weeks before your wedding, work hand in hand with your caterer. This person will play the most significant role in making your reception a celebration to remember for a lifetime.
Brunch: break it out!
The day-after brunch is increasing in popularity, and it gives a chance for the newlyweds to spend some time as husband and wife with their loved ones before heading off to their honeymoon. So what's the scoop on the event? Who hosts it, who's invited, and so on? We've done the homework for you, and have narrowed it down to the details — making it easier than ever:
Who hosts?
While there are no rules set in stone, typically the bride and groom, a relative, or a close friend will opt to host the brunch.
Who's invited?
Don't feel obligated to invite your entire guest list; this is a more intimate affair that usually is shared with only family members and your bridal party. In addition, it's a nice gesture to extend invitations to those guests who traveled a distance to participate in the big day. While invitations are certainly a nice touch, they aren't necessarily required.
When and where?
It's a good idea to keep the location close to where the reception (and most likely your guests) is located. Keeping it simple is key . which leads us to .
Style.
You went all out on the rehearsal dinner, not to mention the reception. It's okay to chill out a little now. The brunch is a much more informal event — meaning casual dress is perfectly acceptable.
and the big question .
What to serve?
Do you want more of a breakfast or lunch-style brunch? Or a combination? Some popular menu items include:
• Coffee, tea and juice
• Bloody Marys, mimosas or spiced cider (if you choose to include alcohol)
• Fresh fruit
• Bagels, lox and cream cheese
• Croissants, muffins and/or cinnamon rolls
• Hash brown casserole
• Shrimp and grits
• Blueberry, potato, or other flavored pancakes
• Herb, ham, or vegetable frittata
• Grilled salmon or tuna salad
The list goes on! Be sure to ask your caterer for popular ideas and suggestions.
And finally . don't forget to savor the moments as well. A photographer and/or videographer can help these memories live on forever.
Tasty and tasteful ideas for receptions to remember
• Focus on your favorite and take it up a notch. Create a shrimp & grits station with bacon, green onions, tomatoes, peppers, sautéed onions, scallops, country ham and choice of cheeses.
• Surprise loved ones by having your caterer incorporate a favorite family recipe in the menu — your family will be delighted and your caterer will never divulge the recipe.
• Play up the nostalgia by serving one or two menu items the bride and groom's parents enjoyed at their own wedding receptions.
• Add a new twist on foods you love — try sweet potato biscuits with pork tenderloin or country ham and citrus butter.
• Choose a regional traditional food with a modern slant — such as barbeque in cornmeal patty shells!
• Have servers offer champagne and fruit to guests as soon as they arrive at the reception venue.
• Invent a specialty drink and tie it in with the theme of the wedding, honeymoon location, ethnicity of bride and groom — be creative!
• Place a dessert tray on each table for guests to enjoy before the cake is cut.