Go local:  
Catering for a wedding or event is often the largest cost in your event’s budget. Knowing what you want and what your budget is and communicating this with your vendors and event planner will enable you to get the best out of your budget and still create a personalised and unforgettable event for you and your guests. Regardless of your location or event venue local caterers generally know the venues and are well-versed in the requirements for each site. Most areas have an array of catering options, pick what you love while considering your venue space and staffing. Alternatively, you may choose to work with an event supplier or planner who can help to organise both your catering and beverage services saving you time and money while still allowing you the flexibility of personalising your menu and drinks service.

Get help: 

One of the things couples or event organisers often say after their big day is how fast it went & how little time, they felt like they had. Ensuring that you are able to relax and enjoy your event too is something couples sometimes forget to consider while they’re busy planning an unforgettable event for their guests. Making sure that you have well trained & experienced staff around to help with planning, pour drinks, deliver food & deal with anything unexpected allows you to relax, enjoy your event & most importantly have fun with your guests! With unique and quirky venues being a fun and individual event planning theme this year, event organisers and engaged couples may not be living close to their chosen venue or location. Local knowledge is key, a local event organiser will take the stress out of your day, enabling you to think about the more important factors, they will get to know you and help you deliver a personalised event. It may seem a luxurious cost at first, but a good event planner should be able to save you the cost of their services. They know the best local venues and have access to some hidden gems, activities, suppliers, and caterers, saving you time and giving you the best quality for your budget.

Make it your own:   
Central to creating a memorable experience for you and your guests is putting your individual stamp on the event. Weather you’re opting for a cool & quirky on-trend venue or the more traditional town hall or stately home, individuality & interaction are key to planning an epic event. As we all look forward to the increased freedom of our “post covid” futures, on-trend 2022-23 event plans are seeing couples and event planners across the country seeking increased input, flexibility, and individuality in all aspects of their events. A current trend for fun and individualised events planned for the 2022/23 season include couples and event planners personalising their own food and beverage menus, from signature cocktails and canapes, gin or international spirit selections, favourite local wines, to craft beer tasting & tap beers. Alongside fun and interactive beverage options the food and catering menu also gives you a great chance to have fun, think outside of the box and personalise your event. While traditional canapes and a 3-course meal is a timeless approach that can still be personalised to include childhood favourite meals, dessert bars, and fun canapes, 2022/23 event planners are also opting for more unique, mobile, and interactive options including, mobile catering vans or food trucks at unique venues, high teas and petite fours, interactive pizza bars, large tabletop platters, mini burgers, international street food, even ice cream!

Some great ideas we’ve seen recently have been an interactive gin bar, where guests can choose from a selection of gins, mixers, brightly coloured fruits, and herbs served on platters & even flavoured ice cubes to create their own individual beverage or experiment with a few! An international cocktail evening with well-known and signature cocktails from around the world, a craft beer tasting bar with on tap and bottled beer options for guests to try, a “build your own burger” evening supper bar and even a Harry Potter themed potion mixing drinks party! The limit is your imagination!