Nowadays, weddings truly are a day-long affair. In fact, from getting ready to getting married and getting down on the dance floor, many weddings can last up to 24 hours. If your wedding schedule takes place over half a day or more, catering for one lunch or dinner won't be enough to keep everyone's mood and energy high throughout—and the last thing you want on your special day is disgruntled, hungry guests. Aside from the main, sit-down meal at your wedding, here are 3 types of snacks that will keep everyone well fed through the day and night.
Hors-d'Oeuvres When You're Getting Ready
Getting ready for a wedding can take a long time, particularly for the bridal party (though many of today's groomsmen take just as long). During all the hair, makeup and last-minute outfit changes, it's virtually impossible to find the time to sit down and eat a meal. So, to ensure everyone is well-fed before reaching the wedding venue, why not start the day by asking your caterer to cook up some hors-d'oeuvres? Opt for bite-sized foods so they're easy to eat in between preparation activities. If your appetisers of choice are greasy or messy, make sure to ask your caterer to deliver them well before it's time for everyone to get into their outfits. The last thing you want is to walk down the aisle covered in dirty fingerprints.
Midnight Snacks When You're Getting Tired
If you plan to keep the reception going all through the night, it's important that you make sure guests don't get tired from all the drinking and dancing. Midnight snacks are a great way to combat fatigue during the later hours of a wedding reception, ensuring the party doesn't fizzle out to early. Fast-food style meals are generally the most popular choices, so thinking about options like mini-burgers, fresh cookies or nachos when discussing your midnight snack with your caterer. Whatever you choose shouldn't take too long to eat or be too heavy, as guests will want to get back on the dance floor as soon as possible.
Grazing Tables When You're Unexpectedly Peckish
Alongside booking extra catering at set times like morning and midnight, it's a good idea to have grazing tables set up. Many people need regular snacks to keep their energy up, especially those members of your wedding party who will be rushed off their feet all day keeping everything going smoothly behind the scenes. Since grazing table food needs to stay fresh for several hours, the best choices include foods that perish slowly, such as lollies, cakes, and antipasti. If you'd prefer a more interesting menu, find a caterer who can deliver food in a refrigerated cart to make it last longer or one who has the equipment needed to cook up hot food on-site.