{The Reception: Eat, Drink & Be Merry}

{The Reception: Eat, Drink & Be Merry}For weddings, there’s quite an emphasis on entertaining your guests and making it a memorable event for all. The décor, the fare, the flowers, the music – all of these along with any other special touches you add will set the mood and make it magical.
While it’s common for special event venues to provide catering and bar services for those who book the space, others may not but will be able to present you with recommendations. Only once you’ve had the opportunity to discuss with your venue what is offered and/or allowed should you make your selection. It’s essential to understand the specifics of whether booking that venue means you are entering into an agreement to use their exclusive catering services or partners, or if you have your heart set on a specific company, that you are able to bring them in. Every venue is different, as is every caterer and wedding vendor for that matter, so it’s advised to meet in person and explore what is possible before making the final decision.
Catering is an art and there is a lot of talent and diversity to be found here in the Lincoln area. As such, there are plenty of options out there to fit any taste and budget. When selecting a menu, the more you have to choose from at each price point, the greater chance you’ll have of arriving at a meal that matches both. As previously mentioned, when it comes time to establish a budget, catering is typically one of the first areas to work the numbers depending on whether it’s provided by your venue or not.
Aside from price, which is important but certainly not the only thing that will ultimately factor into your decisions, working with someone who understands your vision is important. Each catering professional has his or her own approach to planning, but since it’s just as creative a process as the decor, the personal details definitely do matter.
Laurie Fraser
Doorstep Diner Catering
“Here’s how I like to open the conversation with the bride: ‘Congratulations on our engagement! Now tell me how the two of you met?’” says Laurie Fraser with Doorstep Diner Catering. “After all, how can I plan the perfect menu if I don’t know them, what is important to them, how their romance blossomed, or what they envision for their day? My job is to take the stress out of choosing a caterer and we make it as easy as possible. From helping a bride select a menu where the cuisine is complementary to everything else about her special day as well as visually appealing, to letting her know how her day will proceed and what our role is, we do it all. Plating the head table is standard at Doorstep Diner Catering. After a long day of standing and smiling (and a few tears) we believe that it’s time for the bride and groom to relax and be served in elegance and style!”
Keep in mind that good caterers book up fast, so reserving them early is key to lock in the date. I recommend first finding your style so you can communicate that when meeting with your options and see what ideas they have to offer. What is it about you that you want to project on your wedding day? Maybe it’s a Garden Tea Party reception or an elegant Late Night Gala with appetizer stations and bite-sized desserts.
Before setting meetings, also ask for recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers. Then, narrow that list down to two or three caterers; any more than that and it’ll be overwhelming. At your initial meetings, ask questions about how your food will be sourced and cooked, the timing of the set up for the buffet or plated meal, if there is a service or delivery fee, and if staff will be onsite to assist in keeping your buffet line running smoothly or if you’ll have to enlist the help of Aunt Betty and the cousins.
I highly recommend using a wedding planner to help with all of the details. Wedding planners know how to negotiate and often receive discounts from vendors, helping you save money! They will also know what caterer will fit within your budget and theme and make recommendations, saving you time and energy!”
Fraser also offers a sampling of creative ideas and trends for those looking for inspiration. “If a unique surprise engagement affair is what you’re going for, how about an appetizer party? We love the interaction with the couple and hosting these is a blast! You choose the appetizers, we show up, and it’s audience participation time! Be prepared to get your hands dirty, drink a little wine or sip on a signature cocktail, and work with our executive chef to assist in creating elegant and gourmet appetizers, which you get to enjoy while we do all the cleanup! Then, in front of all of your friends, you drop to one knee and pop the question! Shy? Want something more intimate? We’ll create a menu just for two, plate and serve, or better yet, leave it there ready for you to serve it to your bride-to-be so the two of you can be lost in the moment.
As for weddings and trends in catering, we’re seeing less family style plating and more upscale comfort food requests. Making it personal is key and dishes that represent the bride or groom’s heritage or upbringing are popular, as well as family favorites reinvented with a modern twist. Another trend is homegrown global flavor; infusing world cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients is the perfect choice for the foodie in you!”