If you’re anything like me, you’re excited about your wedding tasting.
Tastings are awesome. They allow you to try out the food that may be served at your wedding. In some cases, they also involve trying out the wine and cocktails. Food is such an essential part of weddings, it’s imperative that your guests enjoy it, right? Wedding tastings help to make sure that happens, by allowing you to pick your favorite options, request modifications, and set the menu from there.
Though wedding tastings are pretty straightforward, you may have some questions about how they work. For example, who should come to a tasting? And, when in the wedding planning timeline should one be scheduled? Also, what should you do during the tastings to make sure that your time is absolutely maximized?
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR WEDDING TASTING
The great news is, I have answers to all of the above questions, and more, in this post.
Whether you’re hiring from a caterer, venue, or just doing take-out wedding food, I’ve got you covered. And while not all wedding tastings are a “try before you buy” scenario, hopefully being prepared will allow you and your partner to optimize your experience and end up with the most amazing food at your wedding.
Bon appetite!
FIRST THINGS FIRST – WHEN TO HIRE A CATERER
To make writing this post a little simpler, we’ll assume that your engagement is a decent length of time so the process of hiring a caterer and scheduling tastings isn’t rushed.
With that said, the ideal time to hire a caterer is about seven to nine months ahead of your wedding, after you’ve booked your venue. This will give you enough time to try out their food, set your menu, and send invitations once you know your options. If you’re having a plated dinner, it’s important to know what your food options are as your invitations may allow guests to choose their dinner ahead of time.
Booking your caterer after you’ve booked your venue is important as well, because your venue may have a limited list of caterers who you are allowed to hire. To make life simple, have your venue set, look at their list of preferred vendors, and then hire from there.
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR WEDDING TASTING
Most caterers will offer tastings only after you book with them. Some may have wedding tastings available for a charge before you commit to them, but this isn’t the norm. If you do pay for a tasting with a caterer who you end up booking, it’s likely they will apply that charge to your balance later on.
Depending on the caterer, you may have your tastings right after you book them. Some caterers will want to wait a little bit, to allow for seasonal ingredients to be available. If this doesn’t work for your timeline, they are likely to have you taste a sample menu, knowing that the ingredients may change or be better tasting when your wedding rolls around.
ALTERNATIVE WEDDING TASTINGS
While many couples go the traditional route by hiring a caterer and then scheduling a tasting, you may have an alternative plan for your wedding.
MULTIPLE CATERING TASTINGS
For example, some couples really do want to taste before they commit. To do this, they may call several caterers and schedule a tasting with them. These are the couples who are okay with spending a little extra on tastings, and taking their time, because they know that good food is so important to their wedding day.
TAKE OUT TASTINGS
Additionally, there are couples who are planning on having take out or delivery for their wedding day.
They may tour different restaurants in their area, creating their own tastings. If this appeals to you, and works for your wedding, it can be a really fun thing to share with your partner. Just map out where you want to go, set aside time, and go for it. While you taste, make notes about what you like so you know what to order again. Be sure to actually take the food out, if you’re going to do this for your wedding, so you know what it tastes like after being out for a bit.
VENUE TASTINGS
The last alternative tasting experience is if you have a venue who provides in-house catering, and they create a “tasting experience” for you.
For example, our venue made our food, and they didn’t allow any outside catering to come into their establishment. For couples who are getting married there, our venue puts on an event a few times a year, so everyone can get together and taste the options at the same time. It may sound a bit off, but it was actually a really fun experience. We tried awesome food, made some big decisions, and met other people who were engaged and getting married at our venue as well.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A WEDDING TASTING
Alright, so let’s get into what a tasting actually entails.
Typically, they will take place at your caterer’s office, restaurant, or your venue. While there, you’ll try different food options, in smaller portions than you would normally have them. You’re not likely to try absolutely everything on a menu, but you’re likely to have someone bring you out a sampling of appetizers and entrée options. If your caterer is also providing drinks and dessert, you’re likely to try a sampling of those as well.
During the tasting, a server or host will tell you what you’re tasting, and bring out the items at an appropriate cadence. You, your partner, and anyone else who you’ve brought, should take some time to really try everything and imagine it served at your wedding. If it feels like a fit, it could be a contender for the final menu.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR WEDDING TASTING
The biggest thing to prepare for a tasting is to come hungry. This may be a no-brainer, but it should be mentioned. You should be prepared to eat, but not so hungry you’re in a bad mood. So, keep that in mind.
It’s also important to bring the right people with you. You should have your partner, for sure. Beyond that, you may be able to invite others. Bring people who have opinions, but are also flexible. Don’t bring someone who is a crazy picky eater, as the experience may be tainted.
Here are some more tips to help you prepare:
- Bring questions, and paper to write down new ones. You may want recommendations on different food or wine that goes well together. Or, information on how your caterer prepares certain dishes. Bringing your questions with you will help you remain organized.
- Take photos, if you’re allowed to. If the caterer doesn’t mind, take photos of each food option before you eat it. This will help later on, when you want to remember what you had.
- Take notes on what you liked, didn’t like, and loved. Be sure to take the notes as you taste, so they are fresh in your mind. You can go back later and compare your notes to help make final decisions.
- If there’s alcohol, don’t overdo it. Not only can alcohol change the taste of food, it can make it harder to remember what you liked.
- Meet with your partner ahead of time, and talk about what kinds of food are special to you. Sharing this with your caterer may help them find ways to specialize the food to match your relationship.
QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING YOUR WEDDING TASTING
If you’re struggling with what questions to ask during a tasting, I’ve got you covered.
Now, some of these questions may be a bit too detailed for you. And that’s okay, because they are all totally optional. Hopefully they give you a glimpse into what you could, or should, know about your wedding food.
For example:
- Can any of the foods be modified for dietary restrictions, or taste?
- How big is the actual portion compared to the tasting size?
- Will special utensils be needed? Will you provide them?
- How will the food be presented on the wedding day?
- How is the food prepared? Does it stay warm or cold, easily?
- How is the food transferred?
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU DO YOUR WEDDING TASTING
Another way to prepare for your wedding tastings is to know a few things about your wedding vision and details.
For example, you should be prepared to answer the following questions before you do your wedding tasting:
- What is your preferred style of food? It may help to know if you’re into buffets, plated, or family style, in order to taste the right foods and make appropriate choices.
- What is your guest count? Guest count will be informative for your caterer to make sure you can be accommodated
- What’s your budget? Understanding your budget will help guide what you can splurge on.
HOW LONG DOES A WEDDING TASTING LAST?
The length of each wedding tastings varies, but you should budget about two hours for it. It all depends on how many questions you have, the cadence of how the food is served, and how many people you have with you.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Alright, friends. Hopefully you feel super prepared for your wedding tastings now. Remember, bring your questions, bring your appetite, and bring the right people. And, have fun with the tastings. Food is a big part of weddings, and this is an awesome way to get a preview into how it will impact yours. Your experience will be better because you’re doing this. Enjoy!
More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice:
Eight Alternative Bridal Shower Ideas
Tips For Asking Family To Help Pay For Your Wedding
12 Fun Wedding Planning Tasks To Share With Your Partner
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