Easy Wedding Catering Checklist
Planning a Wedding?? Let's Make it Delicious (and EASY!!)
Wedding Catering Planning Checklist: Your Guide to a Delicious Celebration
Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, and one of the most important aspects is the catering! After all, delicious food and drinks can make or break your big day. To help you navigate the culinary side of your wedding planning, here’s a comprehensive catering checklist to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
1. Set Your Budget
Before diving into the delicious details, establish a catering budget. Consider how much you plan to allocate to food, beverages, and service. This will guide your decisions and help you prioritize what’s most important for your wedding feast.
2. Determine Your Guest Count
Knowing how many guests you’ll be inviting is crucial for catering. Create a preliminary guest list to get an accurate headcount. This will help caterers provide you with appropriate menu options and pricing. Guest count is easily the biggest variables when setting a budget!
3. Choose Your Catering Style
Decide on the type of catering that fits your wedding vibe. Here are a few popular options:
- Buffet: Guests serve themselves, offering variety and flexibility.
- Plated Dinner: A formal sit-down meal with courses served to guests.
- Family Style: Large platters of food are placed on tables for guests to share.
4. Select Your Menu
Now comes the fun part—choosing your menu! Consider the following:
- Appetizers: Start with a selection of bite-sized treats to whet your guests’ appetites.
- Main Courses: Offer a variety of options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
- Sides: Complement your main dishes with delicious sides.
- Desserts: Don’t forget the cake! Consider additional sweet treats for variety.
- Beverages: Decide on a bar service, including cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options. (We can even provide remote bar services for events at locations other than ours!)
5. Discuss Dietary Restrictions
Make sure to inquire about dietary restrictions and allergies among your guests. A good caterer will be able to accommodate various needs, ensuring everyone can enjoy the meal.
6. Finalize the Details
After selecting your caterer and menu, finalize the details:
- Contract: Review and sign the catering contract, ensuring all details are included.
- Timeline: Discuss the timeline for food preparation, service, and cleanup.
- Staffing/Location: Confirm onsite or off, drop-off, pickup or full-service, etc. (We can help - no stress!).
8. Plan for Rentals
If your venue doesn’t provide tables, chairs, linens, or dinnerware, you’ll need to arrange rentals. We have over 500 weddings and large events under our belt, and are happy to help discuss the details ;)
9. Confirm the Day-of Logistics
As your wedding/event day approaches, let's make sure we are 100% aligned!
- Arrival Time: Ensure the catering team knows when to arrive for setup.
- Setup Requirements: Discuss how the food will be displayed and served.
- Communication: Designate a point person (like a wedding planner) to communicate with the caterer on the day of the event.
10. Enjoy Your Day!
On your wedding day, relax and enjoy the fruits of your planning labor! We have it under control, so you can just focus on celebrating with your loved ones.
A well-planned catering experience can elevate your wedding celebration and leave a lasting impression on your guests. By following this checklist, you’ll be well on your way to creating a delicious and memorable feast that complements your special day!
Check out our sister venues at www.bluebarnberryfarm.com and www.HiddenOakManor.com