A weddingmoon means a wedding and honeymoon rolled into one. More and more couples are embracing this trend since many benefits come with it. Because everything happens in one location, it’s very convenient. Plus, it saves a lot of money, since you only need to pay at once for both the wedding and honeymoon.
Since the weddingmoon is a destination event, not everyone you invite will likely be able to attend. Fewer guests mean you’ll pay less for food. Of course, you’d still want to make your weddingmoon special, especially the food preparation. So, here’s a guide to catering your weddingmoon.
1. Plan Your Food Carefully
You can have any food you like. After all, it’s your wedding! But make sure it’s well within reason. Weddings are becoming increasingly creative these days, with more and more couples ditching the usual three-course meal in favor of something more relaxed.
Consider what your guests might also like when deciding the food for your wedding menu. You can give your guests a choice between two dinner options if you’re serving plated meals. But if you prefer a buffet style, create a menu with various food items to accommodate the different preferences of your guests. So, figure out your guests’ preferences in advance, especially if you know someone who may have an allergy or food sensitivity. While most caterers avoid common food allergens, it pays to double-check with your guests about their dietary preferences.
The location is another factor to consider when deciding what food to serve at your wedding. For a weddingmoon, the easiest option is to choose the menu offered by the venue, as it will save you lots of time and effort. But venue kitchens are often stiff and not versatile in terms of the food options. You’ll have to hire a caterer if you want to customise your wedding menu.
2. Make sure You’re Clued up on Food Hygiene
When it comes to special celebrations like the weddingmoon, food often takes the centre stage. But it’s not enough that you have good food. The food should be handled and prepared to the highest level of hygiene. That’s why it’s essential to hire a caterer that ensures maximum safety in food preparation.
Proper food handling is essential when it comes to food safety. Hence, your caterer should guarantee they have the necessary skills to properly and safely handle food. They should be aware of the food hygiene policies and have undertaken food hygiene training courses, and apply them in all aspects of food preparation, from storage to cooking and transporting it to the venue. When transporting the food, it should be stored in freezer compartments to avoid cross-contamination. Certain foods, such as potatoes, should be prepared early before the event since the starch could react with air to produce harmful compounds.
It does not matter how good the caterer is. But if they are not hygienic enough, their expertise will be useless. Food hygiene is a critical aspect of food handling. So, look for a caterer that’s conscious of food safety and aware of the policies and procedures in food handling.
3. Create a List for Allergies/Special Requirements
It would be nice to attach a note to your wedding invitation informing guests to contact you if they have special dietary requests. While most caterers know how to avoid common food allergens, double-check with your guests if they have allergies or special dietary preferences.
It’s a good idea to have a menu that consists of different food items to accommodate the taste preferences of your guests. If one of your guests has an allergy or food sensitivity, you can request the caterer to offer other alternatives.
It’s important to plan your food menu as early as possible. Start planning in advance because it can be annoying if you find out at the last minute that some food items on your menu may not be safe for some guests to eat. The last thing you want is to spoil the celebration because some guests have gotten sick.
4. Pick the Right Destination
With the weddingmoon comes the pressure of choosing the perfect location that can serve as your wedding venue and honeymoon destination. There are many beautiful destinations worldwide that are best suited for a weddingmoon. Your choice will mainly depend on your budget, guest list, personal preferences, and food favorites.
Depending on which part of the world you plan on getting hitched, the climate and weather could affect your decision. So, read up on the annual climate and weather patterns of the location you plan to have a weddingmoon. To avoid weather issues, choose a location with sunny and favorable weather all year round. There are some amazing luxury honeymoon vacations in Greece, the Canary Islands, Barbados, and southern California.
Your food favorites can also affect your choice of a destination for your weddingmoon. So, consider what you and your fiancée like to eat. For instance, Southern France is ideal for wine and cheese lovers. If you love healthy Mediterranean cuisine, Greece might be a perfect choice.
5. Consider Evening Food
Depending on your wedding reception time, you may need to serve evening food. If you do not plan to invite more guests for the evening and you serve wedding breakfast after 7 PM, cheeses and biscuits would be fine.
If you serve wedding breakfast in the afternoon, your guests will start to feel hungry before the celebration ends. So, you may need to serve some snacks to keep them fueled until the event ends. You can have a hot or cold buffet, hog roast, or fish and chips. These should give your guests the energy to last until the end.
If you expect more guests to arrive in the evening, you should prepare some food for their arrival. You can also consider hosting a cocktail hour to allow evening guests to interact with day guests and get everyone into the groove to dance. Even if you do not plan to splash out on cocktails, ensure you provide welcome drinks for evening guests.
Photo: Maya G Photography | Proposal Planners: The Yes Girls
