It’s that time of year, the perfect wedding season. Fuelled by the Royal Wedding this last weekend, and the wonderful sunny weather we’re currently enjoying, summer brides abound and my thoughts turn to wedding catering.
It was lovely seeing all the happy updates over social media for Harry and Meghan’s big day last weekend. The BBC provided an outside screening in our Cathedral Grounds, and hundreds of our local residents attended. I know of get-togethers by groups of friends, many of whom dressed up for the occasion to enjoy the ceremony.
My celebration was a quiet but enjoyable one at home. I got stuck into the kitchen baking and knocked up a little champagne afternoon tea for two. We enjoyed some savoury pastry and tapas treats, including a wonderful dish of cheddar fingers wrapped in a spicy Spanish ham, as well as good old English finger sandwiches of a delightful cooked ham, and homemade salmon pâté and cucumber.
My partner doesn’t like dried fruit, so I made him plain sweet scones with Scottish raspberry jam and cream, as well as gingerbread topped with lemon icing and a fresh strawberry gateau.
So what would you have for your wedding catering? A formal sit down three to four course feast, a casual running buffet, a hog roast? All of these are tried and tested, and always go down well. Each has its stresses, which is why many of us like to outsource the catering to a professional. But, in these frugal days many of us are returning to home catering.
Many dishes can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for a buffet option. Simplicity is best, however tempted you may be to provide all kinds of wonderful innovative treats. People like the comfort of knowing what an item is.
‘Know your audience’ is a good starting-point. Do you have vegetarians or vegans coming? Do any guests have allergies? You don’t want to be tied down with stressful detail, but just know what’s in the food you’re supplying. Most people will know for themselves what they should avoid, but they won’t know if you’ve jazzed up your sausage rolls with added spices or nuts. If you have, then just make this known. Better still, don’t do it. Great Aunt Gerty (other great aunts and uncles are available) won’t thank you for the odd tasting sausage and ‘bits’ stuck in her false teeth!
A formal dinner is, unless you fancy sweating it out in the kitchen in your finery, best left to a caterer. Ensure you’ve two options per course minimum, not force all your vegi friends to devour a rare roast beef. There will always be someone who doesn’t like what you’re offering, but hey it’s a free meal and they can always go get a kebab! Just don’t poison anyone, but other than that, don’t stress about everyone else’s picky preferences.
If you’re having a casual care-free day, a hog roast or BBQ is a great way to bring everyone together. Of course, we’re in Britain, so the weather could make this a risky option. But if we have a sunny weekend as we have been having recently, this can be a relaxed choice. Let’s be honest, every family has a ‘me man, me cook meat on fire’ member in their ranks. Shove a chef’s hat and silly apron on them and leave them in their element.
Another current trend is to divvy out the catering among some of the guests (advise this be close friends and family only in practice). For example, get all the wanna be ‘Bake Off’ stars to bring a cake along to display and share; if you’re brave, offer a competition. But make it clear what you’re expecting – you don’t really want 15 rich fruit wedding cakes all arriving at once.
Each baker tends to have their own speciality. I have a friend (yes Julie, I mean you) who makes the most divine strawberry pavlova. The rest of her baking is terrific too, but her pavlova beats everyone to the finishing line – including Mr Kipling, however ‘exceedingly good’ his baking might be. She’d definitely be on my beg list. My daughter-in-law, Lisa, is a fantastic cake maker and decorator, and has wowed many with her birthday creations, so she’s another. I’m sure you’ll have your own list of talented friends in your circle that would very happily oblige. But do remember the mum-in-law, even if she’s a less-than-successful cook, she’ll want to be considered good enough. Hopefully she’ll politely decline – of course, if she’s a culinary superstar then she’s your first choice.
Naturally, the dress, the hair, the bridesmaids, groom and pages all have to be perfect too – but this is a foody blog. Someone else can cover those.
Whatever you choose on your special day, or whatever you lovingly supply if you’re one of the talented friends in question, the bottom line is to enjoy. Have a wonderful and romantic day, filled with love and happiness.
I’d love to see photos of your happy day and the foody choices you went with, if you’re happy to share.
love
Maggie x