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Menu Planning

Planning a wedding menu to WOW your guests? Stop worrying and check out our list for great advice, whether you're hiring a caterer or are going to DIY!

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27th December 2016 in weddings

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What to Consider

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Catering or DIY
{Dropdown}

Catering or DIY
Beginning Considerations

5

Decide on Budget

Decide on Budget

DIY can still be pricey, especially without access to wholesale

6

Plan to scale menu to size of wedding

Plan to scale menu to size of wedding

Higher the number, more time-consuming it will be (cost higher)

7

Decide on buffet / sit-down meal

Decide on buffet / sit-down meal

Check prices for both and decide accordingly

8

Tie in a theme and notify caterers

Tie in a theme and notify caterers

Notify caterers of theme to ensure food fits the theme

9

Check local and seasonal ingredients

Check local and seasonal ingredients

Seasonal food tastes better and cost less!

10

Introduce new food ideas

Introduce new food ideas

Ideas includes unexpected twists on classic fare

11

Provide a mix of dishes from rich to refreshing

Provide a mix of dishes from rich to refreshing

From rich and indulgent, to light and refreshing

12

Decide on number of items per plate

Decide on number of items per plate

Offer 2-3 mini servings of dishes on single plate

13

Provide dietary restrictions options (optional)

Provide dietary restrictions options (optional)

Vegetarian, non-vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free

14

Serve hot and cold dishes

Serve hot and cold dishes

Depending how much storage is available

15

Develop a food storage plan

Develop a food storage plan

Storage is often a forgotten cost and consideration

Catering or DIY
Catering

1

Pick a venue that allows your own caterer

Pick a venue that allows your own caterer

Some venues may require you to use their catering

2

Book caterer 6-12 mo. in advance

Book caterer 6-12 mo. in advance

Begin search for caterer 12 months before wedding

3

Decide if cake is included

Decide if cake is included

Find separate cake provider if necessary

4

Check for hidden fees

Check for hidden fees

e.g. Champagne toast fee, overtime costs, etc,.

Catering or DIY
DIY

16

Stacked tomatoes & mozzarella

Stacked tomatoes & mozzarella

Impress your guests with gourmet restaurant appetizer

17

Decorated deviled eggs

Decorated deviled eggs

Classic appetizer with a twist

18

Clam dip

Clam dip

19

Cupcake cake

Cupcake cake

Serve tiered display cupcakes instead of an expensive cake

23

Polenta toasts with herbed ricotta & bacon

Polenta toasts with herbed ricotta & bacon

Wonderful gluten-free appetizer can be made well ahead

24

Wedding singature cocktail

Wedding singature cocktail

See link for "Dancing in the Moonlight" recipe

25

Cheese selection served on silver forks

Cheese selection served on silver forks

Easy to make stylish cheese selection of your own choice

Catering or DIY
DIY Planning

20

Estimate serving quantities

Estimate serving quantities

Bites per hour, per guest (calculation depends on situation)

21

Create Food Prep Plan

Create Food Prep Plan

Depending on whether time/storage is tighter

22

Prepare as much in advance as possible

Prepare as much in advance as possible

Create a list of make-ahead items and prepare in advance

26

Avoid making anyone sick

Avoid making anyone sick

Avoid really spricy food, raw meats, exotic animal products, etc.

27

Assign tasks to helpers

Assign tasks to helpers

Make sure everyone knows what they are responsible for

Catering or DIY
{Dropdown}

Catering or DIY
Beginning Considerations

5

Decide on Budget

6

Plan to scale menu to size of wedding

7

Decide on buffet / sit-down meal

8

Tie in a theme and notify caterers

9

Check local and seasonal ingredients

10

Introduce new food ideas

11

Provide a mix of dishes from rich to refreshing

12

Decide on number of items per plate

13

Provide dietary restrictions options (optional)

14

Serve hot and cold dishes

15

Develop a food storage plan

Catering or DIY
Catering

1

Pick a venue that allows your own caterer

2

Book caterer 6-12 mo. in advance

3

Decide if cake is included

4

Check for hidden fees

Catering or DIY
DIY

16

Stacked tomatoes & mozzarella

17

Decorated deviled eggs

18

Clam dip

19

Cupcake cake

23

Polenta toasts with herbed ricotta & bacon

24

Wedding singature cocktail

25

Cheese selection served on silver forks

Catering or DIY
DIY Planning

20

Estimate serving quantities

21

Create Food Prep Plan

22

Prepare as much in advance as possible