MEGA MUSIC DISC JOCKEYS
Phone: (02) 9608-0000
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MEGA MUSIC DISC JOCKEYS Phone: (02) 9608-0000 |
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Type Of Catering |
TYPE OF WEDDING CATERING:
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Hiring CaterersWhen choosing a caterer seek recommendations from family and friends. It is difficult to judge the standard of service on offer just by looking at brochures. Caterers can supply table linen, crockery and cutlery. They can also provide drinks. If the caterers are supplying the drinks they may only charge for bottles opened. If you are providing the drinks they may charge a little extra to serve drinks. The caterer should visit the site of the reception to allow him/her to decide what further equipment and facilities he/she will need to provide. For a small buffet they will bring the food already prepared and may only need washing up and coffee making facilities. For a larger event the caterer may need to bring a cooker and a fridge. Most caterers will clear away. Discuss with the caterer when the clearing away will be done and if serving staff will be required after the meal to serve drinks. Also, ask if a member of staff will act as Master of Ceremonies and if they can organize the cutting and serving of the wedding cake.
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Self-CateringPreparing food for a reception is a major task and should only be undertaken after serious thought and planning. The couple and their family will have many other arrangements to deal with in the period leading up to the wedding. The day itself is for the family to celebrate the wedding and they may not wish to spend a major part of the day preparing food and cleaning. A buffet is the easiest food serve. Food can be prepared in advance and guests can serve themselves. Draw up a plan with a list of food to be prepared and tasks to be done and then decide who will do which task and when. Ensure that you have adequate storage space for food. You may have to borrow fridge or freezer space from friends. Some items can be ordered from caterers and delivered on the day. As fridge space is at a premium at this time drinks should be chilled in bins filled with ice (bought from supermarkets, hotels or hardware stores to save freezer space). Many hotels will lend glasses for events if you buy drinks from them. Arrange to borrow cutlery, crockery, serving dishes etc. from friends. These may also be hired. Using disposable plates, cutlery and table coverings will result in less cleaning afterwards.
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Formal Meal or Buffet?The main decision to be made about the food is what style of meal to have: · formal meal with waiters · sit down buffet (fork buffet) · standing buffet (finger buffet) Hotels and restaurants usually provide sit-down meals for wedding receptions although many will provide a buffet if requested.
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Formal MealWhen choosing the menu it important to choose items which most people will find acceptable rather choosing the more exotic dishes in the hope of impressing guests. Safe dishes include soup, chicken, roast meats and vegetables. For dessert fruit salad or apple pie are acceptable. Hotels and restaurants may offer a choice of two to three choices for each course but they will charge extra for the service. Guests should notify hosts when accepting invitations if they require vegetarian or special diets.
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Sit-Down BuffetThe sit-down buffet is less expensive than a formal meal but allows the hosts to determine the seating plan and guests are ensured a table place. Guest usually serve themselves from the buffet and then return to their places. Because a variety of foods is on offer to guests some experimental or exotic items can be included with the standard buffet items of cold meats, vol au vents, salads, sausage rolls, canapés, sandwiches etc. Hot food can also be included in a sit down-buffet. Dishes which guests can easily help themselves to include curries with rice, pasta with sauce and casseroles.
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Standing BuffetThis is the most informal eating style. The food is normal laid at one end of the room and at the appointed time guests help themselves. Because at least some of the guests will be standing while eating they will not be able to use cutlery and therefore the foods should be suitable for eating with the hands. Clips are available for attaching glasses to plates. This frees one hand for picking up food. Some seating should be provided. Although guests do not have set places most people will want to sit for at least some of the time at the reception, particularly if they are elderly.
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DrinksGuests are usually greeted at the reception with a drink of Champagne, beer or soft drink. Wine is served with meals although a variety of drinks can be served with a buffet. For the toasts champagne or sparkling wine should be served. If a white wine was served with the meal this is also acceptable for the toasts. A plentiful supply of soft drinks and mineral water should also be available for people who have to drive and for children. Other guests may have the occasional soft drink particularly if an afternoon reception is to be followed by a evening celebration. Drinks are usually supplied by the management in hotels and restaurants. If you want to supply your own drinks they will charge a corkage fee. Hotels often provide a bar. The host can choose to pay for all bar drinks or allow guests to purchase their own. A third alternative is for the host to put a fixed sum of money "behind the bar" until it is spent when guests buy their own drinks. In some communities, e.g. Jewish or Greek, it is not considered appropriate for guests to buy drinks. A license is needed to sell alcohol and so it is illegal to sell drinks in most hired halls or home receptions. When buying drinks for a reception shop around. Many hotels, pubs offer discounts on bulk purchases or allow the return of opened bottles. Others may offer to lend glasses or supply free ice. Organize a rote of people to serve at the bar if this is not one of the caterer's duties. Most be people will be glad to help for a short period.
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The Wedding CakeThe traditional wedding cake is a two or three tiered round or square fruit cake with marzipan decorated with royal icing. The softer fondant icing is becoming increasingly popular. Some couples choose other cakes such as suitably decorated sponge or chocolate cakes. The cake can be decorated with coloured icing sugar piping, flowers made from sugar, a small vase or spray of real flowers or figures of the bride and groom or lucky horseshoe. The cake is usually supplied by a specialist confectioner. The confectioner will have a brochure of their various sizes and styles of cakes and the type of decorations available. This will give the couple basic ideas which they can modify and personalize to design their perfect cake. A good cake supplier will have samples for you to taste. The confectioner should also be able to advise of the appropriate size of the cake for the number of guests. When deciding on the size of cake remember that you may want to send some to people who are unable to attend the reception. It is traditional to keep the smallest, top tier of the cake for the first wedding anniversary or the christening of the first child. Some hotels and caterers can supply the wedding cake as part of their reception service. The wedding cake should be ordered at least three months in advance. Because the cake can be baked months before the wedding it is possible to bake one at home in advance when not preoccupied with the last minute wedding arrangements. Cake tins of appropriate sizes are available for hire. Some cake confectioners provide a cake decorating facility. This may be the solution if you have an old family cake recipe you want to use but are less confident about the your decorating skills. The cake is usually delivered to the reception venue on the morning of the reception. Ensure in advance that the cake supplier or the caterer will assemble the cake and add any final decorations.
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