| With so many things to organise in the lead up to | | | | seated. |
| your wedding, it might just be a good idea to | | | | Main course |
| keep wedding food and drink uncomplicated. But | | | | If you choose to have a buffet for your wedding |
| to ensure your and your guests taste buds are | | | | it's a good idea to tell your staff when each table |
| satisfied, choosing seasonal and high quality food | | | | can go and collect their food to prevent |
| are the best things you could do. Not hard to do - | | | | overcrowding and consequential chaos. If you |
| and still affordable. | | | | have selected to have a sit down lunch or dinner, |
| The hardest part of choosing what food and drink | | | | a dish that is easily prepared and can be served |
| to have for your wedding is trying to suit | | | | on a single plate will make the job a lot easier for |
| everyone's tastes. You should choose a menu | | | | both chefs and staff. |
| that suits a range of tastes so that the majority | | | | Like the entree, consider the time of year your |
| of your guests will really enjoy their food, looking | | | | reception will be held to determine the best |
| back on your wedding day as quite memorable. | | | | tasting produce. Your guests will definitely be |
| There are many options for food at your | | | | satisfied with their meals if they are made from |
| reception but we have narrowed it down to | | | | seasonal produce. Consider basic notions such as |
| three, to help you make a decision more easily. | | | | the fact most people probably won't want to eat |
| You can have canapés - snack food -, a | | | | a cold meal if it's the middle of an icy winter. |
| buffet or a sit down lunch or dinner, depending on | | | | Alternatively, a big pork roast might make your |
| when your reception is. | | | | guests sweat glands overproduce if you choose |
| Financial crisis and food | | | | this meal in the middle of a sweltering summer. |
| During tougher economical times, a buffet could | | | | Be aware of any of your guests' food allergies to |
| be a good option as it's most cost effective. | | | | make sure you have alternatives for them. Chefs |
| There's a great range of foods you can choose if | | | | will usually cater to such requests. Also be aware |
| you opt for the buffet, so that it doesn't matter | | | | of age. Elderly people and small children probably |
| if your guests are vegetarians, vegans or meat | | | | won't eat as much. |
| lovers, they can select whatever they like. | | | | Dessert |
| Canapes | | | | While your choice of dessert will be appreciated if |
| Canapes are usually the more expensive option | | | | it is massively indulgent, try not to go overboard |
| so if you choose canapés you may like to | | | | with your puddings and don't make them too rich. |
| look around before you decide on a menu. | | | | Generally individual plates served at the tables are |
| Remember that some guests may not have had | | | | the and easiest way to serve dessert. |
| breakfast, so it would probably not be a good | | | | Again be careful of seasons. If you're having your |
| idea for them to drink on an empty or | | | | wedding during summer it's probably a good idea |
| near-empty stomach. | | | | not to have puddings that may melt or collapse, |
| As a general rule, allow about six canapés | | | | or are incredibly rich and heavy. Sometimes |
| per person (before lunch) and 14 or more per | | | | couples choose to have their wedding cake as the |
| person (for a rinks and canapés reception | | | | pudding. This is both an economical and practical |
| only). A good combination of canapés to | | | | option, but there are many different pudding ideas |
| choose for your guests would consist of half hot | | | | you can have. |
| and half cold canapés, with at least 30 per | | | | Desserts are also the perfect meal to be more |
| cent vegetarian and 10 vegan. Make sure that | | | | decorative with. Add coulis, berries, or sauces to |
| you have capable staff who can tell your guests | | | | the desserts to make them just that little bit |
| what the canapés are. Make sure they | | | | extra enticing. |
| are well briefed before they perform their role. | | | | Coffee and tea |
| Try not to select canapés that are hard | | | | Because not everyone will have coffee or tea it |
| to eat, as you and your guests could end up with | | | | might save from making the tables less cluttered |
| quite a mess. | | | | by not laying down cups and saucers. Having a |
| Entrees | | | | separate table for coffee and tea is the best |
| Make your life easier by choosing simple entrees | | | | thing to do here. It will also encourage your |
| that are easy to eat and use seasonal produce. If | | | | guests to move off their table and circulate and |
| you want to suit everyone, a cold, vegetarian dish | | | | socialise. You may like to add a plate of petit four |
| is the best you could choose here. It's also easy | | | | or slices of wedding cake on this table. |
| to eat and can be served as soon as everyone is | | | | |