A wedding is generally considered to be one of the biggest and most memorable days of a person's life. Months, if not years, of planning go into creating the perfect day. Wedding cars, flowers, dresses, suits, the rings, the venue, decorations, entertainment etc. the list is endless. Without each bit playing its part the whole day could turn into a wedding disaster. If you offer wedding catering and have experience in this field then you will understand the pressure to make everything perfect for your client’s big day. If this is a new venture, and you have yet to receive your first big contract, you will need to be prepared for the stress of the job that awaits you. There are specific qualities that any wedding caterer needs;
Good communication skills
Your client must have confidence in your abilities to deliver what they want. You must be able to verbalise and demonstrate that you understand the atmosphere and the feelings that they want to bring into their wedding reception. Having strong communication links with your client will enable you to create the exact menu and atmosphere which they envisage.
Creativity
Your clients will probably have some degree of thought in regard to what they want, whether it is vague or precise and described down to the finest detail. You can always add suggestions and your own creative input, drawing on your experience and your understanding of the scene they are trying to create. Your ideas may be able to finely tune and hone the vision that they already have and may bring new to suggestions to light that they love but hadn’t thought of themselves. Before making any decisions you must always run your thoughts and ideas past your clients to get the seal of approval and the green light to go ahead.
Strong organisational skills
You will not only have to liaise with the clients but also put together any hors d'oeuvres that may be required alongside the actual menu. The food must be cooked perfectly with the correct quantities to accommodate the number of guests. The food, your team of staff and yourself must all be in the right place at the right time and you must be able to organise these serving staff ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills to carry out your instructions with precision and professionalism. You may also be required to organise any beverages or else liaise with bar staff to ensure that complimentary wines are served with the meals.
Professionalism
Without an air of professionalism, you will struggle to obtain contracts. The clients must feel safe in the knowledge that you can deliver a service that will enhance their day and not leave guests whispering behind hands with negative comments regarding the menu choices and the quality of the food served. Although guests love to see the happy couple saying ‘I do’ and exchanging rings, the main memories are of the reception and the time to celebrate and party. If an idea discussed with you by the clients won’t work you should be able to politely tell them of a more acceptable alternative. Don’t let your lack of professionalism be the point that they remember.
Quality of ingredients and cooking
You may be the world’s best organiser, have hundreds of brilliant ideas, have confidence and professionalism and understand exactly what the clients dream of, however, if you can’t transfer all of this to the finished product i.e. the food, it is of no use at all. Without the quality of ingredients and a high standard of finished dishes, all the excellent service and amazing preparation skills will mean nothing.
Wedding receptions all differ and are personal to the happy couple however if you have catered for a reception similar in the past you may be able to draw on prior experience to add something new to a different contract. With the wide variety of wedding catering available it is ideal to be able to offer whatever your client wants, so versatility is always a positive point. If your catering business only chooses one aspect of s reception to specialise in you will soon excel in that field, but it will narrow your customer base and limit potential clients to those who only want, for example, a formal affair or a casual reception.
Whatever type of catering that your business provides there are always some necessities that you can invest in and keep in stock. These supplies will be useful at any event and if looked after and cleaned carefully will last for many years and many receptions and functions. By investing in quality basic items you will be able to add the special finishing touches that can make any wedding reception perfect.
Top 10 Wedding Supplies for any form of reception
- Wine glasses. Stocking up on both red and white wine glasses will ensure that you are able to accommodate both casual and formal receptions. Casual receptions will usually only require one glass to be placed for each guest on the table that can be used for either red or white wine. If the wedding reception is more of a formal function then both red and white wine glasses must be placed for each guest.
- Champagne flutes. Every wedding will include a toast to the happy couple so choosing elegant and stylish champagne glasses will provide an extra touch of class to the speeches.
- Disposable barware. Gone are the days when a plastic cup was merely a flimsy white cheap beverage container. Disposable barware now appears not dissimilar to your average wine glass. It is more durable than regular wine glasses and can be washed and re-used if necessary. These qualities make disposable barware ideal for al fresco receptions or more casual occasions.
- Charger plates. These items can instantly add a touch of class to any table setting. You should purchase a neutral colour that will compliment your dinnerware and fit in any colour scheme that the clients may have. These charger plates are available to purchase in a range of colours, shapes and sizes that will provide a decorative way to protect table linens from spills.
- Dinnerware. The dinnerware that you purchase should be versatile and neutral in hue to ensure that it is in keeping with any colour schemes of the reception. You should also consider how the dinnerware you choose will complement the food that you serve.
- Cake slicers. Very often the bride and groom may wish to keep their cake slice as a memento and souvenir of their big day, so it must be worthy of holding the cherished memories of their wedding. The cake slicer should be practical but also aesthetically pleasing with a polished metal finish.
- Table Linens. Aim to keep table linens in a natural colour that can then be accentuated and accessorised to bring in any additional colour scheme. The material which you linens are made of is important. Although cotton creates fluidity in the drop and an obvious sense of elegance, these tablecloths are susceptible to stains and can shrink when being laundered. Polyester provides a more durable fabric that still retains the same qualities as cotton alternatives. Cloth napkins should also be considered and purchased with the same principles in mind as with your table linens.
- Napkin rings. Keep it simple when choosing napkin rings. Other table decorations should be the main feature and focal point and should take pride of place, accentuating the intricacies of the reception. Napkin rings should be functional but also add a sophisticated but not overpowering finishing touch.
- Place cardholders. Rather than simply having a piece of card folded to stand in each place displaying the guest’s seating positions, investing in some polished metal place cardholders can add a special finishing touch to any table.
- Candelabras. Nothing quite sets the romantic scene like candlelight so incorporating stylish candelabras into your tableware can add elegance to the setting.
Due to the fact that each wedding reception is unique and personal to the couple, you may find that although these supplies will be suitable for the majority of wedding receptions there will always be some functions that require different colours or shapes of certain items. By investing in some of the basic items you can use these as a solid base and add specific finishing touches that will tie in with each individual bride and grooms requirements.
Although there may seem like too much information to take in regarding wedding catering with a little experience, a broad mind and certain qualities you will soon be receiving those prised wedding contracts. Even though the stress and pressure can seem too much you can always guarantee that your hard work, dedication and time-consuming planning to ensure that each and every detail is perfect will all seem worth your time and effort when you witness the happiness of the bride and groom on their wedding day and know that you have had a hand in achieving their dream wedding.