Ceremony & reception details

We found the perfect venue and it appeared to be just within budget (parents are paying). However, we’ve just realised that set menu means that everyone gets the same meal (no choice). Has anyone been to a reception like this and was it a problem? We can have a limited a la carte menu (2 choices) for an extra $20 per head but it blows the budget. Any thoughts? 

I have never been to a wedding where it wasn’t at least 3 choices (2 meat choices & a vegie choice).

I think it would be pretty problematic to limit it to one meal choice.  You would be leaving a portion of your guestlist without food (which is a waste of money if you are paying for the meals). A one menu item dinner could leave out a number of people depending on what you pick- vegetarians, non red meat eaters, non seafood eaters, celiacs and gluten free people etc.

I would either cut your guest list, make a cut somewhere else in the budget (flowers, dress, transport, photography). Also look at your bar options. If you are having an open bar then scale it back to just beer, wine, soft drinks etc.

Or you and your FI could chip in and pay the difference- even get an extra job or sell some stuff on ebay.

Hi,

           Most venues will provide for those that can’t eat what is on the menu. Guests will normally reply back to the wedding invite saying if they having any special dietary requirements and the venue will give them a different meal to everyone else. So if your main is a chicken dish, and some of your guests are vegetarian, the venue will serve them a special meal. Every venue I know of offers this service.

It is strange, as most venues normally offer at least two options.

The options that J-Jaye offered are good too

Best of luck xox

It does seem weird that there is only one option – I am having a alternate plated meal so there are two entree and two main options. However the venue also asked me to give them any details of guests with food allergies/intolerances and vegetarian/vegan preferences and they are catering to them seperately. Which is helpful as I have a guest who is allergic to eggs, citrus, dairy, gluten and pepper!

I’d talk to the venue and ask about how they cater for guests with food allergies and intolerances and then ask if they can do special meals for special diets – and it should be included on your RSVP card asking guests for any dietary requirements.

Hi chick

Any venue worth its salt SHOULD:

1) offer alternate meals for those with dietry requirements

2) negotiate a better price for you on alternate service of meals if not included in package (some lower cost per head packages do charge for this)

3) tailor your package to suit your needs e.g. provide alternate service of mains in exchange for a shorter period of drinks service etc

Have a frank discussion with the venue manager about how important it is to you that at least the mains are alternate. It wont matter much if the entree and dessert are not alternate. Just be very direct and put the challenge to them: What can YOU do for ME? You are not just the bride, you are the customer paying a lot of money. Alternatively: set Dad and Mum on them since they’re paying!!!

Make your guests aware of the food they can expect, either in a menu in the invitation or on a menu at the centre of the table.