15 Tips to Ensure Your Food Truck Wedding Reception is a Gastronomic Success!
Tired of the basic and boring catering at weddings? Wow your guests with a food truck catering service and leave them impressed!
The experts at Food Truck Invasion have brought to us a guide on how to incorporate a food truck wedding successfully, into a wedding reception. If you want to try this fresh new catering concept then read below!
Food truck catering for wedding receptions is a rapidly growing trend and for good reason! You can save a lot of money, plus they add a uniqueness that standard catering just can’t. Typically they specialize in specific types of food and produce dishes that are out of this world! Make sure your food truck catered reception goes off without a hitch by following these tips:
1. Set your Budget
Figure out how much you want to spend. Food trucks typically charge $15 to $25 per person per person, compared to $60-$70 caterers charge.
2. Estimate How Much Food you Need
At weddings people tend to eat and drink more. The average food truck can feed about 100 guests. If you’re expecting more consider hiring two trucks.
3. Carefully Select your Food Truck
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Choose a truck that compliments the ambiance you hope to create. Decorate around the truck and integrate it into your event.
4. Create a Custom Menu
Using a food truck gives you the opportunity to share the foods you love most with your guests. Plus, food truck chefs are often happy to prepare specially requested items.
5. Attend to the Details
Most municipalities have restrictions in place that determine where a food truck can be parked. Check with your city hall and with your selected venue before the event.
6. Decide the Best Spot for your Food Truck
You want it easily accessible and close to the main action, without making it the focal point. Set it off to the side, but close enough that everyone can easily get to it.
7. Design your Eating Area
You have a few options for seating. Set up tables and chairs and let guests seat themselves, supply high top tables and stools, or simply supply napkins and cutlery in a central location to encourage guests to stand and eat.
8. Find out Exactly What your Food Truck Provides
Some food trucks provide paper plates and cutlery. Your truck may also come with music. If it’s music you like that could save you even more money.
9. Let your Guests Know Ahead of Time
Having a food truck at your reception is a novelty item. Mention it ahead of time to help get guests in the mood for a more casual set up.
10. It’s all About the Timing
Carefully plan the timing. Set a schedule for when the truck should set up and when the food should be served.
11. Hire Wait Staff
Hire a few waiters and waitresses and have them pass out cocktails and hor d’oeuvres. Later they can help clean up.
12. Prepare for the Weather
Summer is popular for outdoor weddings, but can be oppressively hot. Ask your food truck owner if they have awnings available. In case of rain, get a tent that can cover your food truck.
13. Late Night Munchies
If your reception is going to run past midnight, serve up late night munchies. Talk to your food truck chef or owner, they will be able to provide some great ideas for late night bites.
14. Make Clean Up Easy
With a food truck catered reception clean up is a breeze! Many trucks provide receptacles so guests can just toss out trash. Touch base with both the venue and food truck owner about who will be responsible for clean up.
15. Combine Vendors
If you like the idea of a traditional caterer but also like the novelty of a food truck, have both! Have a caterer provide the main meal and bring in a food truck for appetizers, drinks or desserts.
Having a food truck at your reception will add excitement and encourage guests to mingle. Plus, you’ll save money and simplify clean up. Cheers to that!