Choosing the right food for your reception is a matter of great importance. There are a number of things that must be taken into account: your tastes, your groom’s tastes, and, of course, your budget.

When I got married in May 2007, my mother singlehandedly bumped up the guest list from 250 to 500. She literally invited people she bumped into in grocery stores or department stores that she hadn’t seen in ten years: “Remember my daughter? You saw her once when she was a baby…well, she’s getting married and I really want you to come.” That is almost exactly how the conversations would go. So, whenever my future husband and I started looking for caterers our budget was in the forefront of our minds. And, well, there were other limitations as well.

I had recently been diagnosed with a temporary condition that (as much as I hated it) prevented me from having any foods that were high in Vitamin K, which were consequently all of the foods I most adored. So we took a look at our budget and assumed that all of our guests would be forced to eat hot dogs, club sandwiches, and Doritos (water would have been provided for them to drink.) Luckily we were wrong. My mother must have envisioned this issue because she “just happened” to know someone willing to cater our reception within our budget and with the food we wanted.  It’s easy to forget about wedding essentials when you are planning one, and it helps if you have someone who is willing to guide you along your journey.  Since this is not the case for every bride I have put together a list of important things to remember while planning your reception menu.

You must consider your guests. I know that this is the day for you and your wonderful mate, but it is wise to be mindful of any outstanding allergies and health conditions that may prevent them from enjoying the food at your reception. You cannot possibly know the medical history of every guest, but if you know a few, you can assume they aren’t the only ones and offer tasty alternatives.

What type of reception are you having? You can narrow down your search for caterers a lot by deciding on what type of food to serve. Normally the food coincides with the time and location of the ceremony and reception, but this is not a rule set in stone.

Remember your budget! Remember your budget! Remember your budget!

Shop around! Compile a list of possible caterers that fit your personal needs and desires and then decide from the list.

Though I almost hated to admit it, my mother picked the perfect caterer for my reception. Although this, like many other items on your to-do list of planning may seem rather daunting, it must and can be done… the way you want it! These suggestions are merely a starting point for brides.   If you have more ideas or suggestions, visit our forum and let us know.

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