Catering & Menu Planning: Culinary Highlights for Your Dream Wedding

Food and drink are often the topics guests talk about years after the wedding. In this detailed guide, we lead you through the jungle of culinary possibilities. We compare buffet with served menu, give tips for wine selection, and reveal what really matters for the perfect wedding cake. With our planning aid, you ensure that no one goes home hungry and your budget still stays within limits.

The decision between a buffet and a menu served at the table significantly influences the entire atmosphere of your celebration. A buffet is often more casual and offers a wider variety, which is particularly advantageous for guests with different dietary habits (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free). It promotes movement in the room as guests stand up and talk to each other. However, queues can form at large gatherings, which can delay the schedule.

A served menu, on the other hand, radiates elegance and tranquility. All guests eat at the same time, which greatly simplifies the coordination of speeches and program points. It appears higher quality, but is often also more expensive as more service staff are needed. A modern compromise is 'Family Style Catering', where large platters are placed in the middle of the tables – thus combining the variety of the buffet with the coziness of sharing a meal at the table. Carefully consider which style best fits your location and your guests.

A successful wedding menu should tell a story and reflect your personality. Use seasonal and regional products whenever possible. This not only tastes better but is also more sustainable. A light menu in summer with lots of fresh vegetables and fish is more pleasant than heavy roasts at 30 degrees. Pay attention to a balanced mix: A vegetarian main course should no longer be an alibi meal today, but just as creative and tasty as the meat or fish variant.

Don't forget the children! A special children's menu ensures that even the smallest guests are satisfied. Be sure to discuss all allergies and intolerances of your guests with your caterer in advance. Good planning in advance saves you unnecessary stress in the kitchen on the wedding day. Tip: A midnight snack (e.g., a currywurst bar or a cheese platter) gives the party-loving guests new energy for the party until the early morning hours.

Drinks often make up a significant part of the total costs. Here the fundamental question arises: Drink package or billing based on consumption? A flat rate offers planning security and protects against nasty surprises at the end of the night. It is usually worth it if your guests like to celebrate for a long time. Billing based on consumption can be cheaper for a rather quiet group, but carries the risk that costs explode with a very thirsty crowd.

The selection is also important: In addition to wine, beer, and soft drinks, signature drinks (e.g., a 'Bride Cocktail' and a 'Groom Long Drink') are a great highlight. Make sure that high-quality non-alcoholic alternatives are also available. Well-planned drink service ensures that no guest sits for long in front of an empty glass. Also think about the champagne reception after the wedding ceremony – here it can be something special to toast the newlywed couple.

The wedding cake is the culinary heart and often the center of its own ceremony. Whether classic multi-tiered, modern in 'Naked Cake' style, or as a colorful cupcake stand – anything you like is allowed. The timing is important here: Will the cake be served for coffee in the afternoon or as a highlight at midnight? The choice of fillings also depends on this. In summer, fruity, light creams are better suited than heavy chocolate buttercream.

Talk to your pastry chef about the decoration: Real flowers should be untreated, and cake toppers can add a wonderful personal touch. Don't forget to cut the cake together – a classic program point that makes for great photos. For those who like it less sweet, a cheese cake (made from different wheels of cheese) can also be considered as an alternative. Whatever you decide: The cake should not only look fantastic, but above all, meet your taste.

To ensure everything runs perfectly culinarily, use this checklist:

1. Tasting: Have you tried the dishes in advance and are you convinced of the quality?


2. Staff: Is enough service staff planned (guideline: 1 waiter per 10-15 guests)?


3. Equipment: Are plates, cutlery, glasses, and table linen provided by the caterer?


4. Special Requests: Are all allergies and vegetarian/vegan requests recorded?


5. Schedule: Is the process (aperitif, courses, cake, snack) coordinated with the location?

A good caterer will be at your side to advise you and have solutions for all eventualities ready. Trust your gut feeling and the recommendations of other couples. You can also take the opportunity to configure your perfect wedding site according to your wishes.