The planning, the stress, the excitement, the terror! Planning a wedding is a dream, but it also requires a ferocious whirlwind of activity. Getting the dates set and the venues booked are two of the most important parts of wedding planning, but so is making sure you’ve got the right catering arranged for the reception.
Will you head to a restaurant for your reception or will you choose to gather with friends and family in your backyard? Are you hosting a giant shindig where absolutely everyone you know is on the guest list or is your wedding going to feature just a few close friends and your family? Making the right decisions early with the company handling your wedding catering in Dallas is the best way reduce your stress levels as the Big Day gets closer and closer.
Dallas Wedding Catering: The Buffet Versus the Sit-Down
Some wedding reception experts recommend sit-down meals rather than buffets because it’s easier to keep your guests organized and seated at the same time. Announcements are easier to make when everyone is just finishing their meal or when everyone has found their seats at the start of the event.
However, if the ideas of “calm” and “organized” seem like foreign concepts to you and you’re aiming for a wild party with tons of dancing, laughing, and celebration, an open bar and a buffet table might be just your style. You might want to work with a bakery in Dallas, TX to design a delicious buffet full of treats like carrot cake, Boston cream pie, and strawberry shortcake.
If you’re not sure how to arrange your reception food, here are some general guidelines to help you choose what type of menu to design with your partner for food catering in Dallas.
When to Choose a Sit-Down Dinner:
- Parties of more than 100 guests should enjoy a sit-down dinner because a large crowd at the buffet table can get chaotic.
- If your reception venue is in a beautiful facility like a ballroom in a hotel, a sit-down dinner will match the environment best.
- Receptions that don’t have a dance floor and won’t feature people standing up and milling around are best enjoyed with sit-down dinners.
When Buffets Make Sense:
- When you have guests with many different dietary needs, a buffet is one of the best ways to solve problems with picky eaters.
- Small gatherings where your guests might wear relaxed clothing and gather in your home for a casual reception are perfect for buffets.
- If you want your reception to have a breakfast theme (everyone loves breakfast!), you can’t go wrong with a buffet and features like omelets, eggs, and bacon.
You Can Even Choose a Cocktail Party:
- If you’re a couple on a budget, a cocktail party is a terrific way to make sure everyone has a bite to eat without the added expense of a sit-down dinner or a huge buffet.
- Wedding receptions with robust guest lists can actually benefit from a cocktail party where space is at a premium and chairs are rare.
- Short receptions of just a few hours are great for cocktail parties because it’s easy to wrap things up when it’s time for everyone to head home.
Never Assume When it Comes to Wedding Catering
The size, location, and style of your reception will influence which dishes you’ll choose for your wedding catering in Dallas, but it’s important to remember that nothing is absolute as far as price is concerned.
Don’t assume a sit-down dinner is out of reach of your budget and that a buffet is the only way to go. In fact, a sit-down dinner can cost less than a buffet because it’s easier to estimate the amount of food needed for the event.
Want to make sure your wedding reception is a home run? Remember these simple tips as you start planning.
- Let your vendors do their thing. When you arrange for catering in Dallas, the professionals you choose to handle your menu know what they’re doing. Don’t stress over every appetizer, bottle of wine, or piece of cheesecake. The same goes for your photographer and anyone else you’ve hired to make your wedding a memorable event.
- Take your time to enjoy your day. You’ve put so much energy into your wedding that you probably won’t sleep a wink the day before the ceremony. The day might pass in a blur if you don’t take a few moments to enjoy the view. Sit back and relax during your reception.
- Hire professionals for everything. Don’t try to save a few dollars on your wedding photography because your cousin has a nice camera. Think twice before you let your aunt handle the catering. Unless you’re working with a micro-budget where every penny counts, a professional will be worth the price.
How Can I Save Money on My Wedding Reception?
Making the right choices for your wedding reception food will help you create happy guests, but there are other ways to ensure you don’t break the bank. For example, is your guest list too large? Are you sure that everyone you’ve invited will appreciate your day?
Here are some ways you can reduce the costs of your reception:
- Schedule with care: Get the venue you want by having your reception during the day, on a weekday, or during the off-season. You can save thousands on your wedding with some creative scheduling.
- Cut travel time: Consider having your ceremony and reception in the same location or where cars aren’t needed to get from the ceremony to the reception. You’ll spend a lot less on costs like your photographer, wedding flowers, and other décor if you use a single location.
- Get creative with tables: Reduce the number of table decorations you’ll need by using bigger tables. Ten tables that seat seven people requires ten centerpieces while 15 tables that seat five people means you need 15 centerpieces.
- Shop early for décor: Do your wedding colors include red? Shop for décor in December even if your wedding isn’t until the summer. Do you love pink? Shop for pink sales around Valentine’s Day and save on things like tablecloths, vases, and other decorations.