FOOD FOR THOUGHT
From formal sit-down dinners to share plates, platters and food vans, couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to catering options for their big day, writes Sarah Bieske
What you serve up to guests at your wedding reception will set the tone for the rest of the night.
Is it a formal, sit-down meal you want to share with your loved ones? Or do you want everyone to move and mingle with some platters and share plates?
Another popular choice right now are festival-themed receptions with food vans – from pizza to paella, portable champagne bars and ice cream trucks, guests are treated to fun food in a relaxed environment setting the mood for a night of celebrations.
One thing’s for sure when it comes to catering for your wedding – there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing what’s right for you.
Truffleduck owner Hugh Palmer says while there is still definitely a place for a sit-down meal at a wedding, there is much more scope for couples to have some fun with their food choices.
“There is a more informal approach to the beginning of the celebration with couples opting for displays and shared dining to engage their guests, but the formal sit-down experience is very much the main event,”
Hugh says.
“Maybe the cocktail party style has been put on hold due to Covid but I’m sure it will return.
“The common denominator however is still that the food needs to be fresh, beautifully prepared and there is an increasing interest in the origin of the produce.”
Planning ahead is key to ensuring you get the caterers you want for your big day.
Keeping in mind that businesses are often booked out a year in advance, Hugh says to get in early when you know what you want.
“As soon as they can, especially if the couple is hoping to secure a date in the months between October and March,” he says.
“A particular date in this time can often be booked 12-24 months in advance.”
Not so long ago, an alternate food drop was the standard wedding fare, normally with a choice of steak and chicken.
But just as they are in other areas of their wedding, couples are adding their own personalities into their food choices.
And it makes for a great talking point for their guests.
Hugh says Truffleduck has received a number of out-of-the-ordinary catering requests in recent times.
“Again, couples are choosing that shared experience for their guests, with very visual and often interactive elements that showcase a particular theme,” he says.
“These can be anything from an oyster or seafood bar, an antipasto table, a selection of tapas or even a sashimi and sushi cart.”
Sticks and Bones Barbecue’s Nicole Morrison has certainly seen a big rise in wedding catering requests over the past 12 months.
She says hiring a selection of hand-picked caterers is a popular choice for couples right now – offering guests plenty of variety on the food front.
Casual is the biggest trend she’s seeing right now, with a big focus on quality over quantity.
“The days of hotel alternating drops are
out,” Nicole says.
“As a modern chef I can’t think of anything worse and less creative to feed my guests. People come to Sticks and Bones BBQ for our creative options, which include smoked vegan options, American barbecue and smoked Japanese dishes.
“Couples are looking for something a bit different these days.”
Hosting food vans at your wedding is a great way for guests to interact and create a memorable atmosphere.
And with a focus on niche rural locations, Nicole says open-air weddings and receptions held on private roperties and farmland are the perfect set-up for a variety of food options on your big day.
“With the wild changes we have gone through in the past two years and limitations on numbers, couples are opting to get back to nature for their weddings.
“As a local casual wedding business owner, emails have been coming in so steadily, it’s fantastic that couples are looking to do something a bit different.”
Nicole encourages couples to consider locking in catering for their special day at least 12 months ahead.
And when it comes to budget, she says it’s important to know what you’re prepared to pay for. It’s also important to remember casual catering doesn’t always mean cheaper.
“Sadly a lot of couples come to us expecting casual mobile catering to be the same price as a McDonald’s Happy Meal,” Nicole says.
“We get many enquiries from couples with a budget of $2000 for 100 people. That’s $20 per person and my heart always breaks a little. The food I produce is smoked by wood only, that means constantly topping it up for 14 hours. it takes up to 14 hours to smoke a brisket.”