| Choosing the type of meal Now the fun begins! A caterer will be able to offer menu and drink advice depending on your budget, style of wedding and number of guests. When deciding on portion amounts, it is worth remembering that guests will be happier if there is enough simple food to go around, rather than spectacular food in small portions. Formal meal A traditional wedding breakfast has three courses, but as many as six is not unusual. Many caterers offer a variety of set menus, or selection of dishes to choose from. If you like the idea of having more than the standard three courses, ask if a sorbet can be served between the starter and main course, and whether cheese and biscuits with a selection of fruit can be served as another course after your dessert. A fish course is another option if you wish to have a long feast! Be aware that you may only be to provide one choice of main course with a formal meal, which has to appeal to all your guests, although special meals may be provided for children and vegetarians. A sit-down meal is not necessarily the most expensive option, although feel free to push the boat out if your budget will allow. You can be as creative as you want as long as you cater to the tastes of the majority of your guests. You and your close friends may love to go out for sushi but will everyone else feel the same? Starters should compliment the main course you choose, and do offer an opportunity to try something different. If you have a high proportion of vegetarian guests, it is perfectly acceptable to serve one vegetarian starter for all of your guests. The main course is usually hot and sometimes it is easier to serve a one-plate meal if you have a high proportion of vegetarian guests. If you have silver service waiting staff coming round with beautiful vegetables that double-up on the vegetarian option or include potatoes that cannot be added to a plate of rice or pasta then you may make these guests feel excluded. Dessert is the high point of any meal. Chocolate is always a popular choice, and a fruit option is often welcome after a heavier main course. Cheese and biscuits could be served either as a further course or as an alternative to a sweet dessert. Here are some examples of the type of food you may like to serve: |
 Starters:Budget - Wild mushroom soup with herb bread Mid-range - Salad of smoked salmon served with avocado and a Hollandaise sauce Expensive - Tempura of squid and seasoned vegetables served with cucumber pickle Main
Course:Budget - Traditional roast chicken with all the trimmings Mid-range - Rack of lamb, aubergine, baby vegetables and peppered beetroot Expensive - Breast of pan-fried duckling marinated in soy and saki, served with honey sauce and deep fried oriental vegetables Dessert:Budget - Fresh fruit skewers with cream and chocolate dips Mid-range - Summer pudding with tender fruit compote and clotted cream Expensive - Rich chocolate, rum and pistachio pudding with raspberry parfait Vegetarian suggestions Starter:Budget - Deep fried goats cheese with marinated grilled vegetables Mid-range - Peppers, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil dressing Expensive - Herb risotto cake with grilled corn relish and warm wild mushroom salad Main
Course:Budget - Mediterranean vegetable en croute Mid-range - Spinach timbales with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts Expensive - Blue cheese soufflés with steamed chard and asparagus Dessert:This can be the same as above providing you check for any animal fats.Finish the meal with tea and coffee served with mints. A hot drink is often welcome after a meal, and serving these can actually save on your alcohol bill. If you are holding a Jewish wedding then you will want to serve tea and coffee after the rest of the food, so have a dessert with your meal and save your cake for the hot beverageslater. |
| Buffet You can serve on of two types of buffet, finger or fork. |
| Finger:
bite-sized food that is easy to eat without
a table or cutlery. This gives guests a chance to mingle
and eat at the same time. Finger buffets are suitable for
low-key weddings, or as a way of providing food for guests
who attend the latter part of the reception after the main
meal.Fork:
this offers a wider choice of food such as cold meats, fish,
pasta, salads and hot and cold dishes. A fork buffet requires
cutlery and will probably need somewhere for some or all
guests to sit whilst they eat. |
| Don't
feel restricted to sausage rolls and cheese sandwiches.
Your caterer will be able to offer you a wide selection
of food, such as canapés with various fillings, trout
and horseradish on herb muffins, sushi, deep fried breaded
mushrooms with dips, salmon and lobster cakes, vegetable
crudités, cheese and herb straws or mini crab salads.
|