A good wedding catering service can take care of everything, from food and drinks to rental supplies like tables, chairs and dinnerware. But there are also many add-ons that can impact your final catering bill. For professional help, contact Wedding Catering Seattle WA.

For example, grazing tables and other interactive dining ideas can make your wedding more unique but will definitely increase your overall bill.

Your wedding menu should ideally reflect your unique tastes while also embracing your loved ones’ dining preferences. You’ll want to consider your budget, guest count and the style of service you’re opting for (plated, buffet or family-style).

The type of food you choose will have a significant impact on costs. Elaborate cuisine with premium ingredients will be more expensive than simple fare. Your bar service will also be a major part of the total cost, so it’s important to decide whether you’re going with a cash only bar, limited open bar or full-open bar and how much alcohol to serve per hour. There may also be additional add-ons and rentals like linens, plates, cups and glassware that can tack on to the final catering bill.

It’s essential to do your research and get referrals from your venue, wedding planner or recently married friends before selecting a caterer. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, request quotes for your estimated guest count and style of meal service. The quotes should itemize food, drink, rental fees, service charges and gratuity so you can compare apples to apples. It’s also worth figuring out what types of special accommodations your catering company can make for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies, like vegan, gluten-free and kosher/halal diets. This will help to avoid any unexpected surprises on your wedding day.

Drinks

To ensure that your guests have a great time, it is important to provide a variety of drinks. Consider having a signature drink for your big day that reflects the couple’s personality or love story. Or choose a seasonal specialty drink that highlights ingredients in your area. Non-alcoholic options are also essential for designated drivers, sober guests and anyone else who prefers to skip the booze. Serve a delicious mocktail, sparkling water or fruity iced tea to keep everyone refreshed and happy.

Hard liquors can be a great addition to any cocktail bar, and it’s helpful to split them up into clear liquor (like vodka) and colored liquor (like whiskey or bourbon). This allows your bartenders to create a variety of drinks with different alcohols, as well as ensure that all your wedding guests can enjoy their favorite cocktails.

For a refreshing summer drink, try a simple watermelon mojito made with lime juice, mint leaves, white rum and fresh watermelon. If your wedding falls on a hotter day, a jug of Pimm’s is an easy crowd pleaser. And mulled wine is a great choice for a fall or winter wedding, with flavors like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and star anise adding to its cozy appeal. It’s a good idea to serve at least 7 drinks per guest, which includes 2 glasses of wine, 1 glass of beer and 5 servings of cocktails or soft drinks.

Desserts

Desserts are a wedding staple that can be served both buffet-style and plated. Many couples opt for a smaller selection of desserts than a traditional cake to give their guests more options and variety. Some popular non-cake wedding desserts include macarons, cheesecake, and ice cream.

For an easy-to-eat and fun alternative to traditional wedding cake, consider cookie cakes. These are simple to bake and can be decorated with whatever toppings the couple chooses. They also make a great favor option for guests to take home.

A fruity wedding dessert is perfect for a summer or spring event. It can be a great way to showcase your theme and add a healthy, light touch to your menu. This is a great option for weddings with guests of all ages.

Another great option is a cheesecake bar. Cheesecake comes in a variety of flavors and can be decorated to fit your theme or personality. Cheesecakes also add a sense of elegance and sophistication to your dessert table.

If a cake isn’t for you or your guests, try a pie bar. Whether you prefer a pumpkin or blackberry pie, this is a perfect dessert for fall and winter weddings.

Dessert Bar

A dessert bar is a fun alternative to the traditional wedding cake. It’s also a great way to add more options for your guests and give them something to talk about! A dessert bar can be as simple or elaborate as you want, and it’s a great way to showcase your personality and aesthetic. You can incorporate sweets that use family recipes, honor your heritage, or highlight your favorite foods.

Some popular choices for a dessert bar include chocolate, donuts, cookies, and tarts. Cookie bars are a good option for a more casual display that can fit any style, while tarts make for a classy and elegant addition to any dessert table. A sweet ice cream bar is another crowd pleaser, and a great idea for summer weddings! A sundae station is a perfect way to let guests pick their own toppings and create a personalized treat.

If you’re looking for a more formal option, a macaron bar is an elegant and pretty choice that can fit any theme. These delicate bites can be displayed in different colors and even feature edible decorations.

If you’re not big on pie, a dessert charcuterie board is an easy and delicious way to show off your flavors. Choose a variety of pastry treats, such as fruit, chocolate, biscuits, and marshmallows, and let guests serve themselves.

Dessert Stations

The traditional wedding cake is a staple for many couples, but there are endless options for other desserts. Consider chocolate mousse bars with different toppings like berries, nuts, fudge, or sprinkles to give guests a tasty and interactive alternative. Or maybe a less traditional cake is your thing—choose babka, carrot cake, or even chocolate chip banana bread!

A dessert station is a fun option that can be set up during the cocktail hour while guests are enjoying drinks and appetizers. This will give your caterer a chance to get the sweets ready before dinner begins. The buffet or plated food comes later, and the desserts can serve as a late night snack or wedding favor for guests to take home.

When setting up your dessert station, consider splitting the selection up by color for a bold and enchanting visual. For example, you could have a blue section with cupcakes, blueberries in the pies, or blue macarons, and a red section with doughnuts, cookies, or parfaits.

Some brides are opting for a self-serve style dessert table that gives guests the option to customize their sweet treats themselves and choose their own portion size. For this, make sure your catering company has the equipment to handle this and offers plenty of to-go containers for those who want to take their sweets home with them.

Dessert Table

A dessert table is a great way to offer a variety of sweet treats for your guests. It can be used in addition to a cake or instead of a traditional one, and it’s also a great option for couples who want to go all out with their wedding decor.

The best part about a dessert table is that it gives you the opportunity to be creative and come up with an array of treats that will please everyone’s taste buds. You can pair cookies with milk, have a cupcake bar with assorted flavors and icings or serve up mini desserts that are sure to appeal to kids.

A couple can create a beautiful display by arranging the treats in eye-catching ways and adding decorations. Some of the most popular styles include staging the desserts at different heights and displaying them on pretty serving platters. Many couples even add a backdrop behind the dessert table to add a special touch to the décor.

A dessert table can also be themed based on your wedding colors. This is a fun way to add a pop of color that will tie everything together visually. For example, a blue-themed buffet could have a mix of blue cupcakes, cookies and donuts. You could even go as far as pairing the desserts with candy, ice cream or other items in the same hue for a truly cohesive look.