Joe Differentiators
Lucky for you, we’ve got the secret for creating a standout reception menu – All that you need is some prep work, a dash of creativity, and of course, a stellar wedding caterer like Captain Joe.
Let’s face it, Planning the wedding menu for your big, fat Indian wedding is often tricky than convincing your parents about the choice of your life partner.
"It’s not because the Indian wedding catering menu is complicated, but because nobody can agree on the food."
You and your partner want to serve continental fare. In contrast, your parents want a Gujarati Thaali, and your in-laws want Punjabi cuisine and not to forget that it has to satisfy the tastes of all your relatives, from the two-year-old toddler to your sixty-year-old naani.
On top of the endless demands and opinions of your friends and family, you have to satisfy the needs of your friends, who don’t want to eat 3+ meals of the same Indian food over the weekend.
"The menu can make or break an Indian wedding."
Yes, the food is one of the most critiqued factors of a wedding, and your myriad uncles and aunts will use to judge whether the wedding was a great one or a mediocre one. Nonetheless, there’s a thread binding everyone, “They all want to taste something different, good and tasty.”
Finalizing the wedding catering menu for the various events is one of the trickiest parts of wedding planning. But, worry not, in this post, we help you plan the perfect menu for your wedding. Here’s how to do it:
1. Lock Down the Cuisine First
Yes, this is where you have to start your planning. Decide whether you’re serving vegetarian or non-vegetarian and choose the cuisine accordingly. From traditional North-Indian, South-Indian, to exotic Chinese, continental, French, Italian, Fusion, the options are endless.
Once you have decided on a particular type of cuisine, make sure to approach a wedding caterer in Gurgaon who specializes in that cuisine. For instance, some caterers are experts in traditional Indian meals but not so proficient in other cuisine styles. So make sure that the catering agency you choose can handle your preferred cuisine.
2. Decide on your Budget
The next factor you have to consider is to decide on a budget. The wedding menu is so varied and is available in a broad range of prices.
Make sure that you decide on the amount you can spend. This will give you a clear idea when choosing the menu and will simplify your discussions with your caterer. If you don’t have a fixed budget, it’s easy for you to overshoot the expenses, forcing you to spend more than you can afford.
3. Factor in the Season
The time of the year plays a crucial role in determining the dishes on your menu. For instance, some fruits and veggies are available only during a particular season, so make sure to check the availability.
If it’s a summer wedding, try to include plenty of fruit salads and fresh mocktails, which are sure to be a hit among the guests. On the other hand, if it’s a monsoon or winter wedding, make sure to include plenty of hot soups, desserts, and warm milk. On the other hand, try to avoid warm, milk-based desserts in the hot season, as there are chances for it to get spoilt.
4. Do a Head Count
Make sure to have your guest list ready before you finalize your menu. The number of guests and your budget is essential in determining the menu variety and the number of dishes.
While it’s true that you can get the exact number of guests, especially in Indian weddings, an approximate count, rounded to the nearest hundred, can give you a fair idea.
5. Find out the Common Tastes of your Guests
Yes, you must find the common factors when it comes to the tastes of your guests. For instance, if a majority of your guests are from a particular part of the country, they would like to have at least a few dishes from that region.
If you aren’t sure about those particular dishes, you can always ask your caterer for a tasting menu.
6. Be smart about the Choice of your Starters
Remember that your starters will be the first dishes your guests will taste. So, make sure you deliver the best impression with carefully chosen starters. Your starters must be light and easy on the stomach. They shouldn’t fill up your guests so much that they can’t enjoy the main course.
7. Don’t forget to include Salads
A considerable number of people have become health conscious and are mindful of what they eat. The easiest way to make the meal healthy is to include a variety of salads. Apart from upping the health factor of your menus, the salads also help in adding more variety to your overall meal.
8. Carefully decide on the Main Course
This is the most critical part of your meal. Make sure that you have a good variety of the main course. For instance, if someone doesn’t take rice, make sure to offer them bread, dosas, or other entrees. Similarly, ensure that you have different side dishes to go along with all the main courses.
9. Know your Bread
Indian bread has more to it than regular chappathis. There is a vast array of rotis, naans, kulchas, parathas, and much more. Make sure that you know what is what and then decide on what you want to serve at your wedding. If possible, add a live counter, where guests can get their preferred breads delivered piping hot.
10. Include a Wide Variety of Desserts
Desserts are one of the most anticipated parts of an Indian wedding. Recently, cakes are becoming a massive part of the Indian wedding scene. From designer wedding cakes to contemporary ones, you can pick whatever suits your theme and style. Cakes are crowd-pleasers and add an oomph factor to your wedding.
Additionally, ice creams are a perennial hit regardless of the season. Make sure that you serve at least the primary flavors. A DIY ice-cream station is sure to appeal to guests of all ages.
Above all, don’t forget to serve at least one or two mithais.
The Last Word
While you can spend countless hours looking at menus, the reality is that you won’t be able to satisfy all your guests. Instead, it would be best if you aimed to deliver a high-quality meal that makes your guest's tummy happy and full.
If you’re planning a wedding in Gurgaon, get in touch with our expert wedding menu planners to help find the best menu at attractive prices. All you have to do is give us a call at +91-989-998-8185 or drop in a line at hello@captainjoe.com to get started with the planning.
Happy Menu-ing!
