There is no doubt that one of the most crucial parts of a
wedding day - well certainly for the guests anyway - is the wedding food. Lunch
or dinner, budget or expensive, the wedding breakfast (as it is traditionally
called) is immensely important. And by implication therefore, your choice of
wedding caterers is crucial.
There are a huge number of wedding caterers in the UK -
companies who perhaps do corporate and private parties too, but who, overall,
make wedding business their business.
Most couples are faced with a dizzying choice. They may be
looking for a relaxed hog roast or wedding barbecue, rather than a sit down
dinner. Perhaps they want traditional Indian food? Or a Chinese banquet? And
whatever the style and theme, they will certainly be looking for a cake!
Whether the day is going to be formal and elegant, or relaxed and low key, you
can be sure there are caterers out there who fit the bill.
The wedding meal is the part of the day where all the
guests, young and old, and from both families - bride's and groom's - will sit
down, relax and eat together. Of course, by choosing the right wedding caterers
at the very outset, a couple can be sure that a team with relevant skills and
experience will be responsible for getting the food and drink right on the day,
so that all they have to do is worry about the vows!
Wedding caterers can vary hugely in price and in product.
Low key, casual and less formal weddings may benefit from smaller and more
relaxed. But if budget is no issue, then nothing is impossible, and you can
find companies who will provide ice bars laden with the finest caviar and the
most superb vintage pink champagne.
As far as finding wedding caterers is concerned, it pays to
do some research - ask for recommendations, speak to brides, or to the staff at
a venue. Alternatively, ask a photographer, florist or any other wedding
supplier whether they can recommend a really good wedding caterer.
Some of the larger more luxurious wedding caterers such as
Alison Price, "rhubarb" or The Admirable Crichton can work in pretty
much any space and even in any country, so don't just assume you can't have
exactly what you want!
Often the best wedding caterers also work in conjunction
with wedding planners - companies that specialise in planning every last detail
of the big day. These planners may hire the caterer for you, but only after you
have had huge input and maybe even visited two or three caterers to get a feel
for their individual style and service. Linda Cooper weddings for example work
with a number of high end wedding caterers.
The main thing about London caterers is getting them to work
well for you - they should be able to produce exactly the kind of menu you want,
offer you a tasting, work within budget, staff the event properly, and even
sort the bar out.
As far as food is concerned, if the produce is excellently
sourced and superbly cooked, even sausages and mash can be perfect for a
wedding meal. As a rule, try to stick with what is seasonal. Popular choices
still tend to be chicken, lamb, beef and salmon. They're generally well-liked
and, if the wedding caterers are any good, they don't have to be boring either.
Good wedding caterers should be able to suggest great ideas
and clever ways of doing things within budget. If you want to save money, a
caterer might ask you to consider serving substantial canapes or bowl food
instead of a starter, or a very luxurious chocolate wedding cake as your
pudding. What about a tower of initialed fairy cakes - not only are they a
stunning wedding centerpiece, but they solve the problem of wedding favours for
guests too!
It is also the wedding caterers job to make sure that
everyone is looked after - vegetarian, food allergy sufferer, and of course the
designated drivers should have some yummy soft drinks as well.
The wedding caterers should also be able to take into
consideration a client's wishes for décor and theming. Thinking about the
colour and theme of the room or venue is one thing, and of course the wedding
flowers, but what about the plates, the glasses, the linen and cutlery?
And of course the staff are crucial. Smiling, happy and
helpful waitresses are so much better on a glorious wedding day than grumpy
serving staff who just wish they were somewhere else! And the better catering
companies will even encourage staff to get into the spirit of things - dressing
up waitresses for a Bollywood themed wedding for example. Visit
https://catering.tuscanbites.com/