Getting Fed While You Wed

Every year, fall gears us up for a season of pumpkin spice, crunchy leaves, and caramel apples. But it is also the season for falling in love. Amidst holiday festivities and spooky seasonal fun, this time of year is in the running for the most popular wedding season. According to theKnot.com, 43% of weddings took place between September and November in 2022, with October being the most popular month to celebrate the union of two lovely people. 

One of the biggest aspects of a wedding is the two people who are coming together to celebrate, along with the community of people brought together by those two people. And what better way to bridge those communities than with food? No successful wedding is complete without an abundance of delicious foods and beverages to keep the fun, excitement, and energy going among the crowd. Serving food at your wedding serves as an integral part of the celebration, so don’t miss out on enhancing the overall experience for you, your partner and your guests. 

If it’s within your budget, traditional catering is always a good route to take. There’s a plethora of local businesses and restaurants willing to take on the daunting task of feeding all of your family and friends. 

In turn, this also takes loads of stress and worry away from the bride and groom, along with whoever is helping with planning and logistics, with the food being handled out of house. This gives everyone involved much-needed relief knowing that your focus can be centered on other things, such as getting the bride and groom prepared for the big day and spending time with your respective bridal parties.

Outside of traditional catering, Saline County has a wide range of food truck options. If you don’t have the space for a traditional dining experience, consider renting the help from a local food truck for a more “stop and go” food situation for your guests. It’s quick and easy and fun! Plus, you would be supporting a local business and getting some tasty food in the process. 

If you’re looking for an innovative option that’s more budget friendly, consider hosting a family-style meal in which everyone on your guest list is welcome to bring a dish to share. This takes the stress off you while still ensuring you have several platters to serve your family and friends—all while saving a significant amount of money. 

You can propose a theme, such as “favorite comfort food” or classic barbeque dishes, or encourage more diverse dishes specific to everyone’s personal style and food preferences. We all know you have that one family member with renowned classic dishes everyone raves about, so why not feature them at your wedding? 

In addition to saving money with a potluck style food display for your wedding, you may also consider keeping things simple with a cocktail-style reception. Serve up some tasty hors d’oeuvres and appetizers, including cheese and vegetable trays, mini sandwiches and breads and pastries, to accompany your drink station. This is also a great option if you’re looking to serve a variety of small treats without having to set up and serve excessive amounts of food. 

With every wedding comes the iconic wedding cake. But if a traditional cake isn’t up your alley, or a bit beyond your budget, there are so many ways to make a special cake for your special day without breaking the bank. There is always an option for cupcakes, which are on the much cheaper end of things and easy for everyone to grab a bite. 

If you’re dead-set on a centerpiece cake, consider grabbing your friends—or whoever the best baker is in your family—and spend an afternoon together personally baking and decorating the cake for your big day. Being able to bring your family together in more than one way brings the sentiment of the day to a whole new level. And sometimes, a store-bought cake can’t hold a candle to something homemade and from the heart.

With this new pattern of fall weddings, take advantage of the love that is in the air. Whether you’re attending a wedding or hosting your own, find those fun ways to bring your personal community together in the way that best makes sense for you, if that be through food, general wedding planning, or even just during the reception.