Food has a way of becoming one of the most talked-about aspects of a wedding day, for better or for worse. It can often stick in the memory long after the flowers have been disposed of—a beautifully presented appetizer or an extravagant dessert table can truly steal the show. Fortunately for Vancouver couples, traditional plated wedding reception fare is no longer the only viable option, as the catering industry has seen a rise in imaginative approaches that allow the newlyweds to put a unique stamp on their big day.
Go Beyond the Buffet
While buffets remain a popular option for couples with larger guest lists, many are now seeking ways to make standard serving styles more interesting. Interactive food stations can offer an engaging experience where guests participate in assembling their meal. A taco bar or pasta station may allow couples to make their reception more entertaining and less formal. In contrast, a carving station with an individualized serving style may help to make a buffet feel more special.
Make it Family-Style
The family-style meal has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, offering couples an alternative to the traditional plated dinner. Large platters of food circulate the table, allowing for a more relaxed and interactive dining experience while reducing the overall formality of the meal. It may also allow couples to offer a wider variety of dishes, which can be appealing to those who feel limited by the entrée choices in a plated dinner or those who wish to avoid the self-serve aspect of a buffet.
Showcase the Local Flair
With Vancouver’s fresh seafood and local restaurant scene, couples can create a menu that truly showcases the region. It doesn’t just look great on the plate; it also elicits positive reactions from guests who really like a restaurant experience connected to the local place rather than a typical menu. Most wedding caterers are more than happy to create a seasonally inspired menu centered around what’s best at the time of the wedding; doing that could also result in significant cost savings on your menu.
Maximize the Cocktail Hour
Taking advantage of the cocktail hour, which is usually considered just another time filler between two major events of the wedding day – the ceremony and the reception- to serve your guests with unique and memorable snacks may be very pleasant for them. Sizzling, passed hors d’oeuvres offering a blend of unexpected flavors, a tiny raw bar for seafood lovers, or a specialty cocktail paired with a perfect appetizer can really be the highlight of such an event and give an excellent start to what follows. Besides, you can use this moment effectively by revealing and introducing your personalized signature menu – a dish or a cocktail, which perfectly represents the couple’s love story.
Think Twice About Desserts
While the traditional wedding cake remains a firm favourite among couples, desserts are no longer limited to a towering confection. In fact, many couples are choosing to highlight a variety of smaller desserts on a dessert table. Cupcakes, mini tarts, macarons, and classic s’mores stations are all popular options, which allow couples to offer their guests a range of exciting flavours. While some still prefer a standard wedding cake, others are choosing to pair a smaller cake with a full dessert table to enjoy the best of both options.
Consider Dietary Restrictions
It is no longer uncommon for a wedding guest list to include a mix of vegetarians, vegans, and people with a variety of allergies or sensitivities. Couples need to keep in mind that it is best to plan around dietary restrictions rather than offering an entirely separate alternative for those who are unable to eat the main course. A skilled caterer should be able to provide options that are both inventive and appealing when constructing a menu that accommodates a variety of needs.
Plan the Bar Menu Just as Carefully
While the food at a wedding tends to steal the spotlight, it is important to devote equal thought to the bar menu. The right mix of wine, beer, and signature cocktails can often be more appealing to guests than an open bar. When selecting drinks, many caterers recommend pairing specific beverages with courses or offering guests a tasting menu of sorts during cocktail hour to make the most of the bar offerings.
Schedule Everything Around the Meal
Even the most exciting wedding catering in Vancouver options can fall flat when poorly timed or executed. Couples need to work with their caterer and the rest of the vendors to understand the reception timeline and ensure the meal is scheduled appropriately around the speeches and other events. Caterers who have previously worked at a venue can often identify potential challenges ahead of time, which is why couples need to ask around when considering a venue and discussing their catering options.
Choose a Caterer that Offers the Style You Want
With so many options for wedding catering, it is vital to think carefully about which styles best match your preferences. Vancouver couples can benefit greatly from working with a caterer who can design a menu around their preferences. Crave Catering offers an innovative approach to wedding catering, with options for couples who want to create a family-style dining experience using local ingredients, as well as for larger parties looking for a more formal, multi-station reception.