Does the thought of a large family wedding intimidate you? Perhaps you feel the pinch of budget constraints and, as a result, are contemplating on skipping the reception. While there are some practical ways to keep your wedding ceremony small, intimate and frugal, cutting corners should not produce an outcome that may add stress to your wedding day.
Catered events do not have to be expensive nor do they necessarily involve serving alcohol. For relatively little, caterers can take care of your wedding guests with food on as little as a few tables tastefully set under the roof of your pagoda in the park, beneath the canvas of your tented canopy or inside the reception hall of your choosing.
Consider this food for thought:
1. Catered weddings include more than pampering your guests in return for their support, thoughtful gifts and spirited enthusiasm toward your nuptials. Catered weddings are part of the subtle touches that make the day go smoothly for the bride and groom.
2. Guests that are hungry can be impatient. Lingering and waiting for the registry to be signed in order to wish the best to the bride and groom is not always the easiest pastime, especially if young children are in tow.
3. Pictures are a central part of the wedding day and happy subjects make the best memories. Feeling the pressure of the guests’ restlessness exudes negative feelings that can be reflected in your wedding album.
4. If you have children in your wedding party, their smaller bodies need food and drink more often to keep their moods stable and to balance their energy level. Having snacks on hand will help keep even the youngest members of your wedding ensemble primed for pictures.
5. Some weddings progress from beginning to end without mishap, at least, that is the hope of every bride and groom; however, hope isn’t always the best pre-emptive move. Planning for the unexpected is always a wiser undertaking.
Having food available, even if it is only a few trays of nutritious snacks exudes the feeling of comfort. Serving plates filled with cheese, sandwiches, fruit or vegetables sticks occupies your guests and alleviates some of the stress of waiting. Sipping on a warm or cool beverage will take the edge off unexpected delays for the bride and groom, as well as for the guests who may have to wait longer than expected.
6. Most weddings begin at the church and move to a reception hall where the guests snack, mingle, reminisce or become the newly acquainted members of your family. If your guests are meeting for the first time, they may feel a little awkward. Serving food and drink helps to create some common ground between people and take the focus away from stilted conversations. If renting a hall is not in your budget, think about using an outdoor venue and renting a tent in case of rain.
Remember, for a little more, you can hire a staff and serve a multi-course meal, but for a little less, you can still have a catered wedding that will ensure your day is the best it can be.
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