New York Catering Service - Tips on How to Plan Wedding Receptions

Planning a wedding takes a huge emotional, stressful toll on couples. However, you don’t have to place the entire wedding planning burden on your shoulders. A professional New York catering service eases your stress and makes your wedding day an unforgettable and hassle-free experience.

 

How to Pick the Perfect Reception Site

A New York catering service will always point you in the right direction when it comes to your reception – especially if you have no idea where to start.

 

The best place to begin is discuss your wedding ceremony with the caterers.  Will it be in a church or an outside location?  They work with you to find the best type of reception to complement your tastes and wedding ceremony.

 

The most important thing to think about when planning a reception: what time of year is your wedding? You don’t want to host an outdoor reception in tents during the middle of winter. Think about where you are getting married and what the weather will be like. If you live in a hot climate, think about water misters and tents for outdoor receptions.

 

If you’re holding your reception indoors, make sure the facility has plenty of parking, transportation and hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests. A New York catering service will suggest overnight accommodations and accessible transportation for your guests. Make sure to block hotel rooms for your guests and wedding party.

 

Couples usually choose from the following common receptions:

 

• Formal sit-down dinner – A sit-down dinner reception is usually held for weddings after 6 pm and serves four to five courses. Guests are assigned table numbers and are served food courses by catering wait staff.

 

• Informal sit-down buffet – Sit-down buffets can be held at any time during the day. Guests stand in buffet lines, and pick and choose what they want to eat from the buffet. Then they sit down at any table – seats aren’t assigned.

 

• A tea or stand-up buffet – These types of receptions are common for morning or late afternoon weddings. They consist of appetizers, wedding cake, and beverages/champagne. For those on limited budgets, this is sometimes a more economical reception choice.

 

There are basic traditional requirements that a New York catering service provides at a wedding reception. At receptions, the bride and groom cut the cake, feed each other slices of cake, and then they toast each other with champagne.  However, for couples who don’t drink alcoholic beverages, caterers can substitute another beverage of your choice or sparkling apple cider.

 

Think about the size of your wedding before you sit down with a New York catering service. A reception site, whether indoors or outdoors, should accommodate your guests comfortably without cramming your guests around tables. You should already have an approximate guest count before you discuss your reception with a catering manager.

 

Fun Decoration and Theme Ideas

If you don’t know where to begin with reception theme, colors and decorations, you can rely on a New York catering service to help you. They sit down with you and discuss your personal likes and dislikes.

 

Get as creative as you want with your reception ideas! Here are some fun, festive theme ideas.

 

• Fall/Harvest theme – Use fall colors and flowers that reflect the seasons such as dark red and orange. If you hold your event outside, bring in hay bales and other festive harvest touches such as pumpkins, gourds and corn husks.

 

• Winter holiday theme – Use holiday colors such as reds and greens, ivy, small fir trees, twinkling lights and ornaments for easy decoration ideas.

 

• Time period theme – Do you love a certain historical period? Have you always dreamed of a Renaissance with flowing dresses or 1940s-style wedding complete with bomber jackets? A New York catering service will help you choose colors and decoration ideas that fit perfectly with a time-period theme reception.

 

How to Choose a Great Menu

A professional New York catering service employs high-quality, four-star chefs who will create a phenomenal reception menu for you. They work with you to create your dream reception menu. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request a menu and cake tasting. You don’t have to stick to a traditional wedding cake either. If you love chocolate, opt for a chocolate fountain and mini-chocolate desserts.

 

Before you sit down with New York catering service staff, determine how much you can afford to spend on food and alcohol. Remember that food will be your biggest expense for your reception so plan accordingly. Alcohol is another big expense so if cost is an issue, stick to a no-host bar and serve only champagne to your guests.

 

How to Work with Catering Staff

New York catering service, Personal Touch Caterers, takes the stress off your shoulders. They plan every detail of your reception from tent rentals to wait staff.

 

These are common questions that your catering manager will ask – so be prepared before you meet with their staff:

 

• What is your guest count?
• How big is your wedding party?

·         Do you prefer a buffet or sit-down reception?

·         Will you host an open or no-host bar?

·         Do you want to include a champagne toast?

·         Do you or your guests have any special dietary needs?

·         Would you like a separate groom’s cake?

·         Do you plan to have dancing? Do you need a DJ?

 

Some couples don’t always want a wedding cake or a DJ. Your wedding reception reflects your desires and wants– not what family or friends want for you. It doesn’t matter if you have a simple or elaborate wedding reception; it’s all about that unique, personal touch!

 

You want your guests to have a great time but remember that this is your special day too!

Make your wedding reception an unforgettable memory that you and your guests remember for a lifetime!

 

Don’t let just anyone plan the MOST important day of your life - contact Personal Touch Caterers today!