The Ultimate Orange County Wedding Catering Guide
No matter how many mood boards you create, Pinterest pages you view, or rom-coms you watch, planning your dream wedding isn’t easy. There’s always more to do than there is time to do it. Plus, 2022 is different. After two years of delays and postponements, a record number of engaged couples are sending save-the-dates for this year. That means prime venues are in short supply –– as is just about everything else. You don’t need to panic. Instead, sit down and start planning. Start by considering some Orange County wedding reception catering companies. Focus on the ones with extensive experience delivering memorable catering meals to customers in Orange, Irvine, and Newport Beach and across the region. For more help, take a look at our ultimate wedding catering guide.
What Comes First, Wedding Catering or the Venue?
This might seem like an egg or chicken conundrum but you should consider wedding catering and venue in concert. Why? Because locking down a location first can narrow your choices. They may have a limited list of outside vendors or make you commit to wedding packages that don’t reflect your true desires. As Seattle caterer Alexis Berry, points out, “Typically, couples will choose a venue, and then try to accommodate catering within that space. Think about your vision, work backward, and consider logistics. Working on the venue and catering needs at the same time will help to eliminate compromises later on.”
This is a good time to pull out your mood board. After all, planning your OC wedding reception should start with the most fantastic ideas imaginable. Starting with a sky’s the limit fantasy can help you discover what you really care about. Do you want an indoor or outdoor wedding service? Will it be a formal reception with passed wedding appetizers and a fancy plated dinner or a casual brunch with an omelet bar? As you consider what you want, get in touch with Orange County wedding reception catering companies like TMC. Find out if they can deliver a personalized menu inspired by the location and your own imagination.
Get a Wedding Budget
Unless you have an unexpected windfall or a very generous relative, money for your wedding will be an issue. That’s fine. It can be hard to avoid overspending. Except the hard truth is most couples would rather start their lives together with the down payment for a house rather than a single day’s five-figure debt. Frugal can still be fantastic. Do you really want a formal, sit-down reception with plated dinners? This is often the priciest option. It tends to be the least personal as well, often delivered by cookie-cutter catering companies. Wedding bar service can also get pretty expensive –– often up to $4,000. Maybe “all-you-can drink” isn’t the best approach for your special day. A signature cocktail rather than a full bar, wine and beer rather than liquor, or even mocktails are some money-saving options. So is choosing local brands (which we have plenty of in California!)
When it comes to catering, saving money doesn’t mean sacrificing selection or flavor. It means contacting the best Orange County wedding reception catering company capable of delivering a quality menu and setting up in a variety of venues. One reason Taylor Made Cuisine wedding catering is so popular is their years of experience not just with wedding receptions but custom meal plans and corporate catering events in Orange County. That means they’re used to accommodating a range of budgets.
Research
Check out everything from online reviews to recommendations from friends and family. Then visit. At Taylor Made Cuisine they’ll be happy to show you some of their delightful dishes. They can offer information on availability, cancellation policies, and their experience customizing menus for brides and grooms across Orange County in towns like Orange, Irvine, and Newport Beach. They can produce a plant-focused reception or one that accommodates your dietary restrictions. They can handle everything from passed apps to action stations with their trained chefs. So contact Taylor Made Cuisine catering company today and set up a tasty tasting.