5 Tips for Planning a Delicious Wedding Menu

You've spent months planning and arranging all of the small details of your ceremony, the types of colors you'll use, and the smallest flowers that go in your bouquet. You've probably arranged and re-arranged the centerpieces to find just the right height, color, and feel - but you're not done yet. While you've been planning all of the visual details, there's still one of the five sense that needs to be addressed and that's the sense of taste! When you ask any guest what the best part of a wedding was, you will generally either hear that they loved the food and if they didn't love it, you'll hear that too! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you're planning a fantastic wedding menu for your guests.

Guess High, Not Low

You'll want to get your guest list lined out before talking with your caterer, and then as the date gets closer you'll give him the head count based on RSVP numbers. If you feel like the total number of guests is still a little shaky, though, you will always do well to guess higher rather than lower. Running out of food is not only a little embarrassing, but it can be a lot of added stress on you as you try to scramble and figure something out.

Think About Allergies

One of the kindest things a host can do is learn about the allergies of their guests. Many people have some form of allergy, whether it's gluten, shellfish, or peanuts. Sometimes it's odd things, like not being able to eat pork, or being allergic to mustard. While you don't have to plan your entire meal around allergies, you can talk to your caterer and see if they have alternatives for people with allergies. They will certainly feel special when there's a meal just for them. If you can't swing special food, just be sure to have the names listed on the food items to help warn people.

Choose Something That Everyone Loves

While you can have a meal full of rare delicacies at your wedding (and we certainly recommend doing whatever is special for you and your soon-to-be-spouse) sometimes it's also thoughtful to think of the majority of people who will be eating your wedding dishes. That's not to say you have to opt for burgers and mac & cheese, but you can always have some options in your menu that are familiar. If you're featuring a special Chinese dish that was passed down from your great-great-grandmother, you can also follow up with something familiar like cashew chicken!

Think About the Timeline

Happy guests are no hungry guests. Will you be taking photos of your wedding party and family after the ceremony and before the reception? Think about planning a small cocktail hour! Feature a fun beverage that is especially mixed for your wedding, and then include delicious appetizers. You don't have to provide so many that they get filled up before dinner, but enough that they'll be able to wait until it's time. You can also plan fun games, scavenger hunts, or bring out the DJ to keep them entertained.

Don't Be Afraid to Splurge

When you plan out your budget, don't be afraid to leave plenty of room for amazing food. While people will appreciate your decorations, it won't be a priority in their memories - and you can make a little go a long way! If your guests got to choose between beautiful hand drawn invitations and envelopes, or an amazing spread of food, we're pretty sure they would choose the food! This is your special day, and you should be able to make it everything you've ever wanted, but also remember that it's a party, and every good party needs a good spread.

Weddings in Colorado Springs

If you've just gotten engaged and you haven't chosen your wedding venue, consider scheduling your date with us! If you're looking for a wedding venue in Colorado Springs with charm, sophistication, and a really great team to work with, you've found it. We would be honored to help you plan your big day, and make it everything you've ever dreamt of. Let us help you plan your beautiful Colorado Springs wedding!

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Plan the PERFECT Wedding Menu

There are many details about your wedding that your guests will remember. From the beautiful colors and dresses to the fun music at the reception. One thing I think we can all agree on, though, is that guests will remember the food you serve. You can splurge and create a 5-course menu with steak and lobster, or you can make it more casual with your favorite finger foods. No matter what your menu preference, here are a few tips that will make your Colorado Springs wedding reception perfect!

Nail Down a Budget

While you may want to get to the exciting part first and start planning the menu, starting with the budget is pretty important. Every decision you make will impact the total cost of your wedding, from the style of serving, to the number of guests, appetizers, cocktail hour, and more. Determine ahead of time what you can afford, and work within the boundaries to create a delicious menu.

Consider Dietary Restrictions and Allergies

As the hostess of your wedding, it's important to consider any dietary needs of your guests. You don't need to plan your entire meal around the few people who may be allergic to shellfish or gluten. Yet you can make alterations to the menu and talk to your caterer about having a few plates that are compliant to their needs. You can ask your guests to RSVP with any dietary needs so that you know ahead of time and aren't surprised the day of.

Select a Style

By selecting a dining style, you can make the event more fun for everyone. If you choose a delicious dinner, and you want it to be the focus of the night, you may want to opt for a sit-down meal. If you know that your friends and family will be itching to hit the dance floor, and the DJ is your main focus at the event, you could choose appetizers and finger foods. By choosing the style of your reception, you can make the menu even easier to nail down.

Add Your Personal Touch

Tell your love story through food! You can make this aspect memorable to everyone when you serve the latte that you ordered on your first date or the scones that he 'tried' to make for your birthday. If you and your fiancé always drink specific soft drinks, you can serve them or toast your marriage with them! Get creative and use the menu to show the unique side of your relationship.

Use Local and Seasonal Items

You can rely on your caterer to help you select items for your menu that are not only easy for to obtain during that time of year, but also the location of your event. While a bright garden salad may be delicious, it could be hard to find the freshest ingredients in the middle of winter. You could go an easier route for the season by choosing a pasta dish, or a savory soup.

Create a Presentation

Choose a caterer who is just as concerned about the taste as the appearance of the meal. If you are getting married in the fall, and will be serving a pumpkin soup, you can make tureens out of hollowed out pumpkins! If you'll be serving coconut shrimp, you can garnish it with a tropical flower. If your Colorado wedding is rustic, you can use small tree stumps to display platters of delicious desserts or appetizers.

Be Generous

If you've worked this hard on planning a delicious menu, don't skimp on the portions. Your guests have been generous in their giving gifts for your marriage, and they may have traveled a long way to share this day with you. Thank them by providing plenty of delicious food to enjoy.

Colorado Springs Reception Venue

While you are busy planning every detail of your reception, don't forget to book the best event venue in Colorado Springs! Our team is available to you throughout the entire planning process to answer your questions and help make your day amazing. Call or text 719-357-8613 today to get more information and find out if your wedding date is available!

A Beautiful Colorado Wedding Awaits...

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719-357-8613

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