Catering Your Reception While Catering to Your Guests
Nowadays it is hard to go anywhere without hearing about a new diet or a new way of eating. It seems like there’s new food to add to your diet or new food to take away almost daily. Sometimes it isn’t always followed to go with the trend, but used to avoid an allergy or because it’s the only way to eat without a negative reaction from the body. Many restaurants have begun to accommodate these diets, like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and keto to name a few. So what does this mean for the food you provide at your wedding reception or other major events?
To be honest, it is hard to cater to every single person, so we normally try to appease to the vast majority, but when you do know of guests that are in need of a different menu it would be helpful to consider ways to accommodate them.
Depending on the caterer you go with, and the menus they provide, you will often offer your guests a few different options when it comes to entrees and sides. If you have the ability, try to make sure one of the options you offer can fit into those guests needs. A good way to know these needs is to send an additional note with your invitations and RSVPs. Many couples who have a set menu at their reception will send one out anyways to know the specific meal the guests want that night. The note could simply ask guests to specify any special dietary needs or food allergies they may have. Once these have been returned to you, you can determine if there is a need for accommodation by talking to your caterer and seeing what they would be able to offer. This could range from a set number of plates being made prior to or just adding it along with the other options being offered to everyone.But what about the cake, or any other dessert you may be providing? The same could be said for this as well. Discuss the options with your baker. Whether it’s the need for sugar-free, gluten-free or vegan your baker will be able to work with you and either create a new dessert for your guests or incorporate the needs into what you want.
This can even apply to the beverages you provide at the reception. It is always best to make sure there is an option for everyone. Most of the time this is just water, but if you wish to have something besides that then make sure that it is safe for them. Stick to things that have the option to be sugar-free, caffeine-free, and anything else that may be needed.
Even knowing all of this it can be difficult to accommodate everyone that will attend your wedding, but it is better to make an attempt rather than have angry guests that could potentially cause the best day of your life to become a total disaster.