This blog isn’t about the Covid effect on bookings but it has given me time to reflect & consider over the 23 years that Chives have been catering for weddings and what makes an amazing day.
I was once asked by a Groom who was in charge of organising the catering to assure him that his wedding would not only be perfect but have a great atmosphere and be the best wedding his guests had ever gone to.
The wedding was at Knowlton Court, a stunning venue and I knew that between the venue and ourselves the wedding would of course be not only perfect but would surpass expectations but the atmosphere, well that’s another matter, there are many factors that help there and not all in our control but food can play a part so here are a few tips
Canapes are a must for your reception..when guests arrive from the church or after the ceremony it’s a time when you need guests to break the ice, and fabulous looking canapes being circulated does just that, as our team explain what the canapes are it just starts a conversation, and it also allows plenty of time for photographs and for you to mingle with the guests without guests wondering when they will have some food to go with the drinks! We love it when our couples choose some interesting canapes after their tasting day such our Mini Kangaroo Pies, Banana Blossom fritters with pea puree or Goats cheese, pumpkins seeds as well as the crowd pleasers Lamb koftes with minted yoghurt or Mushroom arancini balls, we love seeing our food bringing people together!
With wedding breakfasts, you have spent so long on that table plan, and you want it to work, so you need people to chat at the tables.. so no Soup.. you cannot eat soup and chat, so think interactive- grazing boards with a selection of meats, savoury bites, breads, dips & ensure to also cater for vegans & any other dietary requirements. We give our couples at lot to choose from to build up their boards and we ensure that it will be a good variety to work together and create smiles
We are often asked if you can offer a choice to your guests, the issue with choosing from a menu several months before the wedding is that a. guests often forget what they ordered, b. the season is completely different from when they chose and c. couple sometimes order for each other.. there have been many weddings while out staff are holding hot plates whilst the couples ‘discuss’ what they chose or didn’t, and this of course can lead to disappointment. Our advice is to enjoy your tasting and choose a main course for everyone, but of course with dietary options, always ask for dietary requirements on your invitations. That way everyone will be have a fabulous meal & there will be laughter and chatting abound and no disagreements or disappointment.
We do of course always allow the couples and the top table to have an extra dish if they both have a different favourite main course, marriage is all about compromise but it doesn’t have to start with the wedding breakfast and your wedding is all about you after all .
We used to suggest alternative desserts around the table again if it’s to hard to choose one but most of our couples now choose duos and trios, that way everyone gets to try everything and everyone is happy.
For the final part of the catering tips.. evening food:- make it fun, accessible & served at the right time.
By the time the evening reception starts, the heels have gone, it’s party time, the evening guests have been welcomed and the atmosphere is buzzing, everyone is dancing and then the evening food comes out, the dance floor empties and the band are playing to them selves, to avoid
1. We always ensure we have the band times so that we can bring out the hot food in the band break.
2. If there are cheese boards bring them out fairly soon after the evening guests arrive so that can eat before the dancing gets going.
3. Make the hot food visible, we do great Fajita & Burrito stations with sizzling pans so the guests can smell the amazing aromas and head to it, or we serve our other hot food from trays so the guests are served it hot & fresh and we can ensure it’s all eaten rather than being left on a buffet table to go cold
Again it’s just about happy people! I have often told by couples about wedding they have attended where they didn’t know there was evening food until someone told them too late.
So we have done our part in ensuring a good atmosphere around the food, but what else can you do
As I explained to my groom, I can do two weddings at the same venue, same menu (it happens) and same numbers but one has an amazing atmosphere and one doesn’t and that often comes down to the table plan. Often couples like to split their friends and family up around the room so that they meet new people, this can work but often it can lead to a very quiet meal. So instead when you are struggling with the plan, make up 8’s & 10’s with the groups of family and friends and put the odd people on a table together, if you sit 2 people who don’t know anyone with 8 that know each other they will mainly end up just talking to each other as the other 8 catch up. Whereas a group of 10 strangers will find things to talk about and new frendships often flourish after that first meal together and it was all down to your planning.
Finally the dancing, if you have a wedding party with lots of bridesmaids who love a dance then they will be up on the floor and everyone will follow, if not make sure you speak to a few people before and ask them to be your dance support team who will get the dancing underway.
I wish you a wonderful day, in fact the most perfect day from which the memories will always make you both smile.
Debbie Green – Director Owner Chives Catering Ltd
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