posted by on Mar 28
When you’re looking for fantastic food for your wedding you need to find a wedding caterer that will leave your guests feeling satisfied and ready to party long into the night.
Cuisine
The style of food you serve at your wedding reception can depend on your theme, on the season and on the time of day. If you’re having a morning service why not put on a breakfast buffet and evening reception in the Spring might feature delicious lamb, fresh seasonal vegetables and maybe a rich chocolate mousse for dessert. If you want something more Eastern inspired why not have a noodle chef make your guests stir fry served in bamboo bowls lined with leaves.
Follow your nose
If you have a favourite restaurant then why not ask the chef to cater for your big day. Alternatively you could visit wedding fair to find a professional that suits you. Often at wedding fairs chefs can be foung demonstrating their abilities.
Budget
Decide on your budget and stick to it. Easier said than done but take your figure to any prospective caterers and let them create a menu or mirrored buffet around it and if they impress you regardless of the budget then give them serious consideration.
Style
It is important to know what you are getting when you choose a wedding caterer. Find out how they work. This is why having a word of mouth recommendation is great. Your wedding planner may have contacts. Look for a cater that can offer a good, professional service and doesn’t cut costs. When you interview potential caterers ask how long they have been in the business and ask for details about the last job they did.
posted by on Jan 5
It might seem easy but you should know the basics before you take on the task of cutting your wedding cake. Discover how to handle each and every shape and get the most out of every tier.
Place your cake
Make sure that your wedding cake is on display and in a space where you can cut the cake so that all of your guests get a good view. Place the cake on a table decorated and styled in line with the theme of your wedding. Ensure you have a knife ready and decorated to your taste. Remember the knife will feature in your wedding photos so it needs to something special not just a regular kitchen knife.
Etiquette
It is etiquette to announce the cutting prior to the event. When cutting the cake, the right hand of the groom goes over the right hand of the bride as they cut the wedding cake together. The first slice is fed by the groom to his bride, after which the bride serves her new husband.
Timing
As always timing is everything. Normally the bride and groom arrange to cut the cake after the reception lunch or dinner has been served. It is advisable to cut the cake early enough to ensure that all your guests get a piece before they go home and it is important to have ready cut pieces wrapped up in case guests want to take a piece home with them.
Shape of the Cake
Round and petal shaped cakes can be cut into wedged slices where as oval and square cakes need to squared off and then they can easily be cut into rectangular block slices.
Portioning your Cake
Ask your caterers whether they include this service; not all do. If they do ensure that you speak to the person who will be assigned the task and make sure that they understand your needs. Ask them to make sure that the cake is taken away to be portioned for the guests.
posted by on Nov 5
Not just a sweet wedding treat but a sculptural masterpiece. The wedding cake is a real focus of every wedding, let our guide help you find the perfect cake for your big day.
Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes. It might seem really tricky to decide which type you should choose to enjoy on your wedding day but you should be led by your own taste. Decide what flavour you like and be sure that the design blends with the theme of your wedding.
Size
The size of your wedding cake will depend on how many guests you are catering for. If you have seen a cake that you like in a magazine or on TV that you like but it is bigger than you will need, ask the chef about the possibility of using dummy tiers. Also when calculating numbers.
The Chef
You could choose your wedding cake according to the person who is going to make it. Maybe you’ve had a few recommendations from friends. That is a good way to ensure you are starting at a level of taste and presentation you are already happy with. If you haven’t seen what they can do ensure you see photos of their latest cake creations.
Taste Test
Deciding on the flavour and filling of your cake can be easily led by your favourite tastes. Ask the chef to make suggestions. Ensure that you try before you buy. Arrange for the cake maker to bake you tester portions of the cake as it will be on the day. Butter cream or royal icing topping, fondant filling or caramel decorations it’s your choice so just ask the chef what is available.
Season
If you are having a summer wedding you will need to ask the professionals what the best options are. You may have to rule out certain decorations and icings because of the heat and humidity.
Type of Wedding
Consider reflecting your wedding theme in your cake. Why not have a fresh flower garnish in the same colours as your bouquet. You could serve a cake that is inspired by the month of your wedding, for example, if you’re having a summer wedding you could have a mini cupcake mountain with yellow flourishes. This type of cake creation has become quite popular in recent years; there is no fiddly cutting to be done and portioning is much easier to do.
