Food tastings are probably the most fun and delicious part of wedding planning. However, there’s more work involved than you may initially think. We want to make sure that you walk away from the wedding tasting not only full, but feeling confident and excited about your custom menu.

Here are the top 10 things to know before your wedding tasting.

Be open-minded.

Be willing to think outside the box. There’s a good chance that almost everyone has had a Caesar salad at a wedding before, so guests will be more excited by something unexpected. Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you like what you taste, then it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser on your big day.

Consider the timeline.

Though your designer will guide you with timeline items, it’s helpful to have a general idea of flow during your big day. For example, consider where you will be during cocktail hour. If you’re not there, be sure to have some hors d’oeuvres set aside so you don’t get hungry.

Don’t taste items that aren’t in your budget!

Know pricing, and don’t try things that aren’t in your budget. This is just a waste of time and can lead to unnecessary arguments. The temptation is not worth it — trust us!

Be open to chicken.

Banquet chicken is a wedding cliché, but your caterer might have perfected an amazing chicken dish that guests will gush about. Chicken tends to be a cost-saver that could let free up some of your budget to spend on something else yummy like late night snacks! Plus, who doesn’t like chicken?

Think about the atmosphere.

What is the atmosphere you are trying to provide to your guests? Although you may think a plated meal is stuffy, it’s certainly more relaxing for guests to be served and not have to get up for food. If you think food stations are more fun (and they can be), imagine 300 guests trying to get to different parts of the room at the same time. This can be a logistical nightmare! So just something to keep in mind to ensure that your guests will have an amazing + memorable experience. 

Make it personal.

This could be a small detail like a specialty cocktail, or your favorite snack served as an hors d’oeuvre. Your wedding should be a reflection of you. So, before the tasting, if there’s something you want that is personal to you – ask for it! Caterers love any opportunity to make your event unique.

Understand that you are NOT going to please everyone.

And that’s ok! There are a lot of opinions when it comes to food, so it’s guaranteed that someone may not like their meal. Have a decent variety of options – meats, vegetables, sides. But, it’s most important that you like the food, since it’s your special day (and you’re paying for it!).  

Communicate with your caterer.

Don’t be afraid to share how you feel about the food – what you like and what you do not like. Don’t be concerned about offending the chef. Your opinion is so important in helping any caterer create the perfect menu for you.

Read a sample menu or proposal before tasting.

This way, you can let the caterer know beforehand if you want to see more options of hors d’oeuvres or plated options. It’s best to have a wide variety of options to choose from so that you feel confident  about your final menu selection. 

Most importantly, come hungry and have fun!

This one is obvious, but don’t eat too much beforehand and spoil your appetite.

Are you getting hungry? Make sure to contact us to set up a tasting if you haven’t already. We love catering for weddings, and can even help you find the perfect venue! 

What would you add to our list of the top 10 things to know before your tasting?