6 Major Wedding Food Don’ts
Starting to work on the menu for your big day? Here’s what to avoid to make your wedding food the best it can be.
Wedding food typically eats up the biggest chunk of a couple’s wedding budget (approximately 38%), so you want yours to be well worth the investment. If you’re in the beginning phases of planning your hors d’oeuvres, dinner and late night eats, there are a few things you should know. Avoiding these pitfalls will not only save you money, it’ll also save you from hosting hangry guests and getting overstressed while the night is still young.
Here are a few major wedding food don’ts.
Don’t overlook allergies or dietary restrictions
You’ll probably be hosting vegetarians, vegans, paleos, gluten-free guests and friends and/or family members with allergies - and you’ll want to accommodate all of them when dinnertime rolls around. No, you don’t have to craft entirely different meals for each and every person, just ask you caterer to have substitutions available for those who need it. Pro tip: they’ll probably reach out to you before the big day to let you know about any dietary restrictions, but it doesn’t hurt to prompt them on your RSVP cards.
Don’t splurge on out-of-season foods
Before you start crafting your menu, ask your caterer what produce will be in season around your wedding date. Not only will this ensure that you’ll be eating the freshest ingredients on your big day, but it’ll probably save you a pretty sizeable sum of money, too.
Don’t forget to consider how many people you’re hosting
You may have dreamed up the most delicious menu ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s realistic. For example, you probably don’t have the budget to serve 250 people a premium cut of beef, so take that option off the table ASAP. Think about how many guests you’ll be serving and then start hashing out your menu with your caterer.
Don’t offer tiny portions
If you want your guests to party with you until the sun rises, they’re going to need a substantial meal. You don’t have to go overboard and fill their plates with mountains of food, but you should supply them with something heartier than a dinky salad and a handful of potatoes. Our advice to you? Find the Goldilocks of portions and go with that (and, remember, if your meal isn’t huge you can always serve late night snacks and extra hors d’oeuvres).
Don’t go 100% gourmet
If you’re total foodies, go ahead and choose a few “impressive” items to include on your menu, but don’t forget to consider your guests who aren’t exactly culinary adventurers. If your dinner is stacked with fancy French foods that they can’t pronounce, a few of them may save their appetites for the McDonald’s drive-thru on their way home.
Don’t feel pressured to serve a plated meal
The plated dinner may be the most traditional wedding catering style, but it’s also the most expensive. If you have the money in your budget and want to serve your guests a three-course meal, by all means do, but most couples are looking to cut costs where they can. Cocktail style eats, buffets, food stations and family style catering typically aren’t as costly of an investment (and they don’t have to be any less delicious).
