Catering your wedding menu is no longer limited to restaurants or caterers. Nowadays, couples are catering their weddings themselves. This trend has become very common because they want to save some money and also enjoy the experience of cooking at home.
Couples who choose to cater their wedding menus often cook from scratch and prepare dishes that reflect their personal style. They also try to incorporate local ingredients whenever possible.
There are several reasons why couples decide to cater their wedding meals. Some include saving money, having fun preparing food, and creating memories together.
Catering Your Own Wedding Menu is Becoming Popular
There are several reasons why there is a new trend in catering your wedding menu.
Save Money: You Don’t Need a Big Budget
If you’re planning a wedding ceremony program, there’s no reason not to cater your own menu. Not only does this save you money, but it also allows you to customize your menu to suit your personal preferences. Plus, you won’t be stuck eating bland food when everyone else is enjoying delicious dishes prepared just for them.
The biggest challenge is finding a caterer who understands your needs.
Once you’ve found a caterer who fits your needs, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer a full-service caterer or a self-catering one. Full-service caterers tend to be pricier than self-caters because they include additional fees, such as gratuities and taxes, in their pricing. However, they often offer better-quality services, such as customizing your menu according to your preferences.
Self-catering, on the other hand, costs less because it doesn’t include these extra charges. But they require you to plan out each meal yourself. And since most couples aren’t great cooks, they may end up having to spend hours in the kitchen prepping meals for themselves.
Enjoy More Control Over What Goes Into Your Meal
Self-catering your wedding can save you money while giving you control over exactly what goes into your food.
Catering your wedding menu lets you choose precisely what foods you serve, including appetizers, entrées, desserts, beverages, and even table decorations. With self-catering, you can avoid worrying about ordering enough food for guests, choosing menu items that appeal to different tastes, and ensuring that each guest gets a plate full of delicious food.
Of course, you still need to pay for the ingredients and labor involved in preparing your meals. But catering lets you decide exactly what goes into your dishes and gives you the freedom to spend your budget however you’d like.
Food is Fresh and Healthy
Catering your wedding dinner can be a healthy experience, especially if you choose dishes that aren’t commonly found at other wedding programs. Some popular choices include sushi, tapas, and gourmet burgers.
Self-catering wedding ceremony programs let you serve fresh and healthy food to your guests. You can customize your wedding reception menu card with seasonal dishes that are fresh and comprise healthy ingredients, avoiding processed foods. Organic fruits, vegetables, salad, and protein-rich foods are a great addition to a healthy dinner.
You can include appetizers on the reception menu that are a great way to kick off the evening. Also, try different types of finger foods and small bites.
Avoid Having to Hire Food Service Staff
One trend becoming increasingly popular among couples planning weddings is self-servicing their wedding menu. While hiring professional chefs or food service staff can be expensive, creating delicious food yourself at home is possible.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. For example, do you want to plan every meal yourself or let a professional handle everything instead? Whichever option works best for you depends on your personality and lifestyle.
Plus, having control over every event aspect allows you to customize it exactly how you’d like.
For instance, you could serve a buffet-style meal instead of a sit-down dinner. Or you could add a dessert bar to your reception. Whatever you decide, remember to keep your guests happy and enjoy the experience!
There are plenty of resources online that offer tips on creating a DIY wedding menu. One example is Pinterest’s How to Plan an Elegant Wedding Dinner Party. Another is Martha Stewart’s Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding Day Reception. These sites provide helpful ideas for making your wedding dinner party memorable while reducing costs.
Having Fun Preparing Food and Creating Memories Together
Creating memorable experiences for others is excellent, but sharing your moments with loved ones is equally rewarding. For example, when you cook for yourself and your wedding guests, you spend time together enjoying delicious meals and reminiscing over the past. And when you create a reception menu that reflects your personality, you’ll feel closer to your guests and create lifelong memories.
Couples can also customize wedding reception menu cards based on their preferences. For example, some offer vegetarian options, others choose gluten-free dishes, and others prefer healthy snacks over heavy meals. Whatever the case, couples are making their wedding menus unique and memorable.
Couples who plan their special occasions tend to enjoy every moment of planning and preparation. From choosing the perfect venue to picking out the ideal menu, catering your own wedding allows you to create a unique experience that no other couple can offer.
