Category Archives: Wedding Food Catering

Impress Guests With These Simple, Yet Stand-out Food Catering Ideas

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What are some ideas for unique and simple wedding food catering?

  1. Bite-sized food style
  2. Food truck style
  3. Wedding party potluck style

 

Simple is beautiful. Celebrations don’t always have to mean an elaborate display of design, venue, or even food catering for weddings. What’s important are the treasured memories and the fact that the people you invited as trusted and loving guests are there to witness a life-changing event.

However, this doesn’t mean that preparations are just so-and-so. Making last minute hassles—trying to find a venue, a catering service, or (event) coordinators—will take so much out of you and your partner. You want to keep it simple, but you want it to be an unforgettable reception for the beloved guests. Ease your worries, and plan how you will execute that unique yet uncomplicated food catering with these suggestions:

 

Bite-sized Food Style

To summarize this in two words that will surely catch your guests’ attention: mini food! That’s right! If you want to show a simple yet new experience for everyone, why not try teasing the guests with bite-sized catering food? It doesn’t literally mean you’ll be making miniature versions of food (like those Japanese mini-kitchen videos you may have come across on social media). Rather, you’ll produce a menu where guests are left wanting for more, so they’ll ask for seconds or come back to the buffet area.

Sample menus for this style include:

Buttermilk (fried) chicken and waffles — have servings of small waffle slices and fried buttermilk chicken cut in nugget-shaped sizes. You could have a small container or a small saucer (depending on how creative or unique you can get) with syrup in it for dipping.

Food pops — it’s like candy pops, but using food like mac n’ cheese or even meatballs coated in a special sauce, for instance. As candy pop makers get creative with how they present their sweet desserts, so can you! Get your creative juices flowing and experiment with which food pops your guests might want to try. You can even surprise your guests by letting them choose which food pop they think would make their mouths water.

Miniature desserts —— if the theme of your food catering will focus solely on sweets, then opt for this one. Desserts can be better appreciated in moderation. Guests will be satisfied with small portions of dessert. Go for cute and photo-worthy miniature sweets. This includes bite-sized donuts of varying flavors (for example, munchkin-type donuts), graham balls, or even miniature ice cream complete with finger-length cones and different flavor options. This could either be done in a buffet style or single-serving only.

 

Food Truck Style

Food Truck Style

One of the unique ideas on this list would be a food truck-style wedding food catering service. Food trucks are common in countries such as the United States. They range from ice cream trucks parked outside schools to tasty taco-selling trucks on a freezing day. With this said, it will be quite an uncommon experience to bring the idea of a ‘food truck’ in the country.

Since we’re aiming for simplicity, it doesn’t necessarily require that you rent actual trucks and have them decorated just to say that it’s truly one of a kind. Why not go for something as simple as our favorite go-to food parks with stalls (or tables) instead of actual vehicles? Besides, what we’re after is the vibe that guests are eating from food trucks by including hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches or sliders, barbecue, sushi, ice cream in the menu. You could even substitute the “American” food truck menu for Filipino flavors such as tusok-tusok food.

 

Wedding Party Potluck Style

Wedding Party Potluck Style

Here’s an idea which calls for guest participation: instead of asking your guests for gifts, why not ask them to bring their share of dishes for the wedding day? Of course, certain rules still apply such as letting them know beforehand how many people will be present at the event. Give them the final count and not just an estimate. Brief them on your requirements: is there a theme? What are the menus already offered by others?

This idea also appeals to guests whom you and your partner may be very close to. You can’t expect all guests to comply, so you must respect the declination of those who don’t plan on joining this unique potluck idea. As much as possible, limit the guest list to your close relatives and friends.

 

Key Takeaway

What will impress your guests are the innovative ways to play with the wedding reception, especially in the food catering segment, as well as the modesty which comes with executing the service. Planning is as important as the nuptial day itself, so keep it simple yet amusing with the power of originality.

Wedding Food Catering: Cocktail Style Wedding Reception

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What are the advantages of a cocktail style wedding?

  1. It has a more relaxed atmosphere
  2. There is freedom in planning it
  3. Budget-friendly menu
  4. Flexibility towards guests and hosts

 

Among the modern ways of planning a nuptial event which includes the wedding food catering, venue, program, and all, what appeals to couples these days (especially the youth) is the so-called cocktail wedding style.

It’s becoming more prevalent with its lax nature and affordability. But for some, they consider it as an informal way of executing a wedding reception. This is mostly because of its light atmosphere and the slight breakaway from the traditional wedding reception experience. Still, it attracts most lovers who are planning their wedding day. These are the advantages and the beauty of why weddings of the modern age would opt for this famous catering style:

 

It has a more relaxed atmosphere

It has a more relaxed atmosphere

Oftentimes, there is a slight pressure on the part of the coordinators and the guests on how they will act upon arriving at the reception area. Where will the guests sit? How will the coordinators instruct them on the program proper? These are just a few questions that pop up in their minds.

With a cocktail style wedding, there is no need to panic as guests are free to choose their own seating space. Table numbers and guests’ table assignments aren’t very strict. In fact, it is encouraged among guests that they sit where they are most comfortable so they could mingle with others while enjoying the rest of the wedding proper. If they feel hungry, they could go ahead and walk towards the designated food stations and have their fill of food. Otherwise, it is part of the catering that appetizers be passed around by the waiters when guests have settled down.

The couple or the wedding planners do not need to worry if their guests are confused about what to do or how to act as they wait for the program to start. The bride and groom can rest assured knowing that with a cocktail style wedding, there won’t be any pressure on their part or worries if their loved ones are doing alright.

 

There is freedom in planning it

Most of the time, during an appointment with the wedding food catering service who will provide for the reception, there will be packages of services and deals which you could avail. You could just discuss with the caterer on what goes with these promos and how best to arrange it. You can make a few tweaks and optimizations based on what you and your partner may or may not like. However, in requesting for a cocktail style arrangements, you are given the reins in planning everything goes over all. Your only limitation will be the lack of originality or perhaps the fear that you will overdo the whole thing.

Freedom in a cocktail style wedding can also be exercised on the program flow itself. You don’t have to do it in the boring, usual tradition. Rather, you can give it a twist or have it arranged in a different manner which best suits our program flow.

 

Budget-friendly food options

Budget-friendly food options

The highlight of a cocktail style wedding is the selection of food and how it is presented. This is entirely at your disposal as well. You can coordinate the menu with your caterer during the planning process. The cocktail style is known to have budget-friendly food offerings. The menu can range from chicken strips, grilled cheese combos, to sliders and sandwiches. You can even serve everyone’s comfort food of fries and ketchup on the side.

It’s budget friendly in a way that there are no requirements urging you to prepare a classy dinner if you don’t want to nor is it confining you to just this specific food theme alone. Just like a cocktail style’s purpose is to exercise the liberty to experiment and customize, so is it lenient towards food catering ideas. Mix and match casual potato fries with a fancy lobster menu if you must, the choice is entirely yours.

 

Flexibility towards guests and hosts

Flexibility towards guests and hosts

There are no awkward moments with a cocktail style wedding. You provide space for your guests to explore and be satisfied with their day. You give them the right to move at their own pace as long as it’s not interrupting the program flow. They could eat and drink at any time they want to, be sociable towards others, or be by themselves. You and your significant other can relax and enjoy your wonderful celebration without too much concern.

 

Key Takeaway

The cocktail style wedding is a fun idea you can do for your wedding. It seems to break away from tradition, but really, it just gives the dull, usual wedding reception a bit of a kick with an exciting twist!

6 Popular Wedding Food Catering Styles

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What are popular wedding food catering styles?

  1. Buffet Style
  2. Plated Dinner
  3. Cocktail Style
  4. Family Style
  5. Serve-yourself Style

 

Back then, you didn’t really need to think much about food catering services. After you’ve chosen a venue, you would either go for a sit-down dinner or a buffet-style dinner. In recent years, wedding food catering services have gotten more creative and can fit any type for venue or theme. You could make your reception mealtime more conversation-inducing than ever before!

 

Buffet Style

Buffet Style

A buffet-style catering for your wedding food service is perfect for any kind of reception. Guests will have the freedom to choose the food they want and how many servings they’ll get, making it quite the popular catering style for many. What’s great about buffet style dinners is that there’s sure to be food for everyone. At weddings, it’s common to have a server behind the buffet table to assist with giving food and describing the dish.

This style should definitely be a part of your wedding catering checklist as it gives you the option to save more by not having to hire too many servers and waiters. It also provides your guests with a variety of food choices. Buffets are also a good way to encourage interaction among guests. A few drawbacks of this food catering style is that the guests may have to fall in line to get their food. You’re also going to need larger quantities of food, you should expect every guest to make the most out of the buffet.

 

Plated Dinner

The most traditional and the most formal catering style of all, plated sit-down dinners are perhaps the most eloquent of food services. Usually, guests will be served a three- or four-course meal. Catering services will give the guests a limited selection of appetizers, and entrées. Before the reception, guests are given a menu on what meal course they will have. A sit-down meal service will require more servers, waiters, and most likely more expensive food. This option will require you to shell out much more money than other catering style options.

This may be a costly catering service, but it’s worth the price. Your guests will experience a lush dining event where everyone receives their food at the same time. Having everyone seated gives the event an opportunity for activities such as band performances, dance numbers, and dedication speeches.

 

Cocktail Style

Cocktail Style

This catering style has recently grown in popularity for weddings and other formal events. Instead of serving full meals, guests are served hors-d’oeuvres and bite-sized food throughout the event. Usually, cocktail style catering services offer hot and cold food options. You could have the meals served on a table much like a buffet-style or have servers walking around to offer food to guests. If you have a small venue in your wedding catering checklist, then cocktail catering services will be the ideal option.

This catering style has been trending in recent years due to its space-saving potential. It allows the bride and groom to roam the reception area and interact with friends and family members. This option could prove to be cost-efficient due to the fact that you won’t be serving any main entrées. Cocktail-style receptions highly encourage guests to interact and mingle since there won’t be any set tables or fixed seating arrangements.

 

Family Style

In a family-style setting, guests are served on their table, much like the plated style. But instead of set menus being served to the guests, meals are served on the table for guests to serve themselves. In some events, waiters may even replenish the dishes upon request of the guests. It’s just like having dinner in your own home, hence the name.

This catering style cuts across the buffet style and plated style catering service. Guests are served a meal that has been previously chosen, and they can get as many servings as they want. This makes for a more efficient mealtime as guests can help themselves with the presented foods. This style may be costly due to the serving pieces and serving sizes of food that have to be prepared. Rental for larger tables and more platters may require a large venue.

 

Serve-your-self Style

Serve-your-self Style

A trendy option would be to go for a serve-yourself-catering service. Much like a buffet style catering service, a serve-yourself-service doesn’t require the guests to fall in line and have them all pass through the same table of food. This style sets multiple stations of different cuisines very similar to hotel buffet set-ups. These stations are a great way to spice up your wedding reception’s theme.

Guests can enjoy a wide variety of cuisines and the freedom to choose what they want to eat — minus having to fall in line. You could have different stations that serve different cuisines or you could take the more traditional approach of having separate stations for appetizers, entrees, finger foods, and desserts.

 

Key Takeaway

There are many food catering service styles to choose from, all of which have their own pros and cons. It’s important to allocate your budget properly so that you can have more creative and fun food catering services options to choose from.

Different Wedding Food Catering Menus Around the World

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What are the different wedding catering foods on menus around the world?

  1. Lechon (Philippines) – roasted suckling pig.
  2. Foy Thong (Thailand) – sweet dessert made up of noodles.
  3. Croquembouche (France) – wedding cake made out of cream puffs.
  4. Fruitcake (Britain) – a wedding cake being served at royal weddings in Britain.
  5. Bem Casados (Brazil) – a mini sponge cookie sandwich with a dulce de leche

 

When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most important things to consider is none other than the wedding food catering. After all, the reception is one of the most awaited segments in a wedding besides the ceremony itself; it is the part in the entire celebration where your guests can let loose, indulge, and pretty much enjoy every moment of the event.

With that being said, any wedding in general must have their own variations of a wedding menu. If you’re looking for ideas for your own wedding, here are some examples from all over the world:

Lechon (Philippines)

Source: General’s Lechon

  1. Lechon (Philippines)

Of course, the best way to start this list is none other than with our very own country! The Philippines is one of the most recognizable countries around Asia, especially when it comes to cuisine! If you’re looking for a homegrown touch in your wedding catering menu, then this country is definitely your best bet!

One of the most notable dishes to include in this wedding menu is none other than lechon. The crispy and juicy texture of this dish can really up the indulgence factor for your wedding, which can really make the entire celebration all the more memorable!

  1. Foy Thong (Thailand)

Speaking of Asia, another notable country in this continent is Thailand, a country rich in exotic foods and generally rich cuisine. When it comes to having a menu for your wedding that’s inspired from this country, there’s no other dish that’s more iconic in this country than foy thong.

This dish is a dessert variation of traditional noodles, which in this case, is made from egg yolks and sweet syrup. Serving this in your wedding will symbolize eternal love for the bride and groom, which makes your wedding reception all the more meaningful.

Croquembouche (France)

Source: Taste.com.au

  1. Croquembouche (France)

When it comes to the topic of love and romance, no other country embodies them than vive la France!

France is known for a lot of their desserts, especially when it comes to a wedding. For this, the most important dessert to include for your wedding menu is none other than the cake itself, which is in the form of a dessert called croquembouche.

Croquembouche is a traditional French dessert that consists of a tower of cream puffs. The great thing about serving this in your wedding is you could easily share it with your guests. In most French weddings, the bride and groom share their cake (croquembouche) to their lovely guests, who witnessed their union.

  1. Fruitcake (Britain)

Another European country, where you could get a food idea from, is Britain. The British people definitely have their tricks up their sleeves, especially when it comes to a wedding.

For this, the most important dish to include in the menu is none other than the iconic fruitcake. Besides making a great gift offering, it’s also seen as a sign of nobility and power. For example, Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton served fruitcake at their own wedding. If you serve this dish in your wedding, you’ll definitely feel like royalty!

Pro tip: England also loves tea. In fact, this drink is the second most popular drink next to water. For those, who want to have an English wedding, tea would be a great addition to your entire theme. You don’t even have to stick to just one kind, for there are lots of them you could try out.

Bem Casados (Brazil)

Source: Harald.com.br

  1. Bem Casados (Brazil)

This country is known for more than football, as the Brazilians can also definitely showcase their own skills in the kitchen. When it comes to a wedding in this country, one of the most iconic dishes to include is a dessert known as bem casados, which is a mini sponge cookie sandwich with a dulce de leche filling.

One of the best things you can do with this dish in a wedding is give it away to your guests as gifts, as a way of telling them that you are ‘happily married,’ which is also the literal translation of the dessert.

 

Key Takeaway

 Wedding food inspirations from around the world will certainly give you the excitement you crave for; and with these 5 countries in tow and many others around the globe, you will definitely never run out of ideas for your wedding food catering!

5 Brunch Wedding Food Catering Ideas

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What are some of the great ideas for a brunch wedding?

  1. Pancake Bar/Station
  2. Unlimited Scrambled Eggs
  3. Tableside Hash Browns
  4. Crossword Puzzle/Newspaper-themed Placemats
  5. Waffle Wedding Cake

 

A wedding is one of the most spectacular and momentous occasions anyone can have. In fact, it can be made better with the numerous wedding food catering options you can choose from. When it comes to that, however, the most important aspect to consider for this is none other than theme; and if you wish to make your theme as unique and creative as you want, what better theme to follow for your own wedding reception than brunch?

Brunch is one of the greatest things to ever come into existence, and yes, we are aware of how big fans we are to this kind of feast. There’s just something about this that makes a day worthwhile, whether it be getting the day started or just having your fill of pretty much anything and everything you can get. So, if you wish to incorporate a brunch menu into your wedding food catering, then here are some of the best ideas for you to consider:

 

Pancake Bar/Station

If your wedding reception is buffet-styled, then you could easily place a station or a bar filled with pancakes. Just image the guest scurrying over there to get their fill of this delicious breakfast item. For sure, all of their mouths will water at the sight of this at your wedding!

Are you planning on doing this on your big day? Then, don’t forget to also fill the bar with various fixings ranging from a variety of fruits, numerous nuts, and even some good, old-fashioned maple syrup (strawberry and chocolate syrups are good too). By doing so, your guests will be able to choose their own toppings for their own pancakes.

Unlimited Scrambled Eggs

Unlimited Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs aren’t really a wedding food catering option; but when it comes to a reception with the brunch theme, it’s no surprise that scrambled eggs will be a big standout among other dishes.

If you’re going to incorporate this particular food into your brunch menu, then make sure that you’re going to fill it to the brim. If possible, you could even include a station, where guests can have their own scrambled eggs with different ingredients of their choosing.

Truly, when it comes to this idea, nothing beats free-flowing scrambled eggs.

 

Tableside Hash Brown

At this point, you’ve probably heard of numerous tableside servings in certain restaurants, especially in certain wedding receptions. Usually, the dishes being served tableside are dishes like steaks, salads, fish, and others of the sort; but with hash browns as an option for your menu, then chances are, the whole brunch experience will definitely be elevated to a whole new level.

When it comes to this, make sure that your tableside hash brown is equipped with the necessary ingredients, as well as the numerous add-ons you can have with this brunch item. That way, your guests will be able to choose what they want in their hash brown and enjoy it with maximum satisfaction.

Crossword Puzzle and Newspaper-themed Placemats

Crossword Puzzle and Newspaper-themed Placemats

Aside from the aforementioned food ideas, you must also consider what kind of decor you are going to use on your wedding day. Keep in mind that whatever it is must be based from your chosen theme; this will for sure impress all of your guests! With that being said, why not consider using Sunday crossword puzzles and newspapers as placemats as part of your table setting?

This will for sure add on to the appeal of your brunch theme. Plus, you could create your own crossword puzzle for your guests to answer in case they may find themselves getting bored. It is also a good idea for your friends and family to start talking with each other in order to know the correct answer to a question.

 

A Waffle Wedding Cake

Since the brunch theme is very much apparent in this piece, a wedding cake made from waffles will definitely be one of the highlights of your wedding. Plus, you get to brag about having a really unique – but really yummy – cake for years to come!

 

Key Takeaway

These 5 spectacular ideas for a brunch wedding reception can definitely give your wedding a marvelous and tasty push. You will definitely impress all of your guests by having them at your wedding. Your big day will surely become a hot topic for a long time!