But how do you organise catering for a wedding, choosing from serving a buffet, finger buffet or full sit down meal?

Consider these points before making your choice.

Time of day - (we got married late, and therefore it became dinner, and no evening buffet required).
Do you have any evening guests - you may need to consider an evening buffet.
If you have an evening buffet as well as wedding breakfast, you may not need to cater for all your guests. 75% of your total guests is the usual figure to cater for.
Do you want an informal buffet or formal silver service meal
How long will your guests have to wait to eat. If the wedding is at 2pm, your guests may not have had time to get lunch beforehand. So consider serving a few canapes to keep them going.
Consider special dietary requests, vegetarian, allergies, etc
Are there any children - perhaps some savoury snacks on hand will keep them from getting fractious - packets of crisps, raisins etc.
What time of year is it - Full on carvery may not be suitable for a hot summers day but a buffet would suit perfectly. Why not consider having a hog roast if you have some outside space or holding your reception in a marquee.
What type of location is the reception - marquee, indoor, outdoor, garden available
Choose a theme for colours and presentation on tables

How will you choose your caterer?

Set a budget - and try to stick to it. Most caterers will quote you on a per head basis. They will likely have some set menus for you to look at for ideas. Wine may be included in the set menu. ie. sparking wine for the toast.
Add 10% for a service tip
Ask around - your friends may recommend someone they rate highly
Check out the web for caterers.  There are many specialist wedding directories
Get a few quotations - they can vary enormously
Get everything in writing with agreed timescales for payment - usually a deposit, followed by payment in full one month before.

Remember a good caterer will let you sample the menus you are interested in before making a decision.

The Best Friend's Guide to Planning a Wedding: How to Find a Dress, Return the Shoes, Hire a Caterer, Fire the Photographer, Choose a Florist, Book a Band, ... Still Wind Up Married at the End of It All
Everyone knows your wedding day is the most important day of your life. But did you know it could also be the wackiest? Part famil...

Cater Your Own Wedding, Revised
Cater Your Own Wedding has helped thousands of brides, couples, and families take the guesswork out of planning, preparing, and pu...

How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 6th: *Become the top caterer in your area *Organize menus for parties, corporate events, and weddings *Market ... taxes with eas (Home-Based Business Series)
Those passionate about parties or cooking can now realize their dream of working from home at something they enjoy. Denise Vivaldo...

Killer Wedding: A Madeline Bean Culinary Mystery
Hip party-planner Madeline Bean never expected to be the guest at a lavish affair held in the Nature Museum's Hall of Dinosaurs. M...

IDo Wedding Couple Edition: Wedding Planning Software for Brides and Grooms
iDo Wedding Couple Edition is designed to help save time and energy while planning a wedding. From compiling your guest list to ma...

6 Wedding Cake Charms
Wedding Cake Charms. The custom of pulling luck and good fortune charms from wedding cakes dates back to the days of Victorian Eng...

1923 Print Joseph H. Biggs Chicago Caterer Wedding Cake - Original Print
Joseph H. Biggs, Caterer. This is an original 1923 black and white print of Joseph H. Biggs, Chicago caterer of weddings and oth...

Masterpiece Premium Quality Heavyweight Plastic Plates: 25 Dinner Plates and 25 Salad Plates
Masterpiece Premium Quality Heavyweight Plastic Plates: 25 Dinner Plates and 25 Salad Plates...

Mikasa Crystal 9" Autumn Vine Footed Cake Plate Wedding Buffet Server
Functional and decorative, this crystal footed plate features a gently scalloped rim and a design of sprouting vines with frosted ...

Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals - Catering at Wedding Reception - 36"H x 27"W Removable Graphic
WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in...

Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals - Wedding Reception - 24"H x 18"W Removable Graphic
WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in...

Wise Wedding Planning: The Perfect Theme Wedding At Any Price
75% Commission! Hot Niche! Help Couples Save And Plan Their Fabulous Wedding. Theme Weddings, Budget Weddings - This Ebook Is All About Making The Dream Wedding Possible Without Spending Too Much Or Going Into Debt.
Wise Wedding Planning: The Perfect Theme Wedding At Any Price

• 48-page soft-cover student guide explores tips and techniques for decorating beautiful cakes
• For use as a stand-alone or accompanied by Wilton's in-store Decorating Basics course
• Step-by-step instructions and photography for baking cakes, piping borders, and more
• Great for birthdays, holidays, and other occasions
• Measures approximately 8-2/5 by 11 by 1/5 inches

Lesson Plan for Wilton's Decorating Basics course. This course is the foundation upon which your decorating skills and artistry will continue to develop. Learn how to bake a great cake, prepare a decorating bag, achieve correct bag position, color your icing and use the star tip and dimensional decorating to enhance your cakes. Master Rosettes, Drop Flowers, Pompom Flowers, Leaves and Shaggy Mums. 48 pages, soft cover. Intended for participants in Wilton's Decorating Basics course, but may also be used as a self-study guide.

List Price: $ 4.99

Price:

101 Tips on Wedding Photography
The art of professional wedding photography has never been more enthusiastically exposed! This wonderful training video by Clay Bl...

Cal Pozo's Partner Dancing 101: Party and Wedding Ready
You don t have to be a dancer to look like one!Award-winning dancer and choreographer Cal Pozo designed the Partner Dancing 101 se...

Rounded Tip Silver Fleur De Lis Saints Cufflinks
Rounded Tip Silver Fleur De Lis Cufflinks w/gift box. These are the perfect complement to ant outfit! They are set in a silver se...

Foot Petals Bridal Blue Tip Toes, Blue 1 pr
With fancy cushions in your shoes, you'll want to run to say "I Do!" A must have for every bride that needs to pamper her feet on ...

Mirenesse Secret Weapon Black Lace 24 Hour Mascara - 100% False Lash Effect
Sexy Secret Weapon Mascara
Full Long False Lash Effect Lush Sexy Lashes- NEW PLASTIC FANTASTIC SILICONE BRUSH FOR FANNED OUT LASH...

New Selectmedia Wedding Portrait Secrets Dvd Movie Bride Groom Bridal Party Silhouette
WEDDING PORTRAIT SECRETS (DVD MOVIE). Exceptional customer service and unparalleled product expertise. Learn the secrets behind t...

Gino Giovanni Formal Boy Brown Suit with Pink Tie From Baby to Toddler (X-Large (18-24 months))
High Quality Tailored made Suit set

This Chocolate Brown suit is perfect for Weddings, and any special occasions.
Brand new with...

Groomsmen Wedding Gift Idea Personalized Stainless Steel Liquor Flask Gift Set - Free Personalization
Treat someone special with this fun, geometrically patterned flask gift set. The stainless-steel flask holds up to 8 oun... More >>

Wedding March / Recessional By Mendelssohn

Affordable Fine Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea - 26" Double Happiness Symbol Spice Jar Table Lamp
Collector's quality, high end, classic oriental lamp, 6 X fired, Jiangxi high temperature vitreous porcelain spice jar b... More >>

JournalTopics My Wedding
The hardest thing about writing a journal is getting started. Our journals give you a little jump-start with a different... More >>

Love Birds Wedding Ideas X2 Charm Italian
Show off your personality, hobbies or significant affiliations with this Pugster Love Birds Italian charm. This enamel c... More >>

Wedding Plans

White Paper Fans (Set of 24) - Baby Shower Gifts & Wedding Favors

Weddingstar Wedding Get-a-way Car Figurine
The Wedding Get-a-way Car Figurine with Comical Couple is a Weddingstar Exclusive. Whimsical and fun, this adorable coup... More >>

Handcrafted Weddings: Over 100 projects & ideas for personalizing your wedding
Handcrafted Weddings offers ideas and projects for creating a dream wedding affordably with unique handcrafted accessori... More >>

Read more on KIVI Boise

	A Practical Wedding: Creative Ideas for Planning a Beautiful, Affordable, and Meaningful Celebration Sale Price: $9.99
	An Insanity-Free Wedding: It Can Happen!Getting engaged is exhilarating…until it sets in that a wedding costs three times what you thought, and takes five to ten times the effort it reasonably should...

	Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration Sale Price: $23.98
	When you imagine your wedding, what do you see?Maybe you dream of exchanging vows before an intimate gathering of family and friends at sunset, followed by a chic and elegant dinner under the stars in balmy weather...

	Save The Date Ideas: 101 Fun and Creative Save The Date Ideas For Weddings Sale Price: $13.11
	Save The Date Cards are a great way to let your guests know that there's a wedding being planned. And they are especially considerate to send in order to notify in advance those guests whom you really want to attend your wedding who will be traveling long distances or may have to make special work arrangements...

	Cents and Sensibilities: A Frugal Companion for Planning a Wedding
	You can be sensible, but still enjoy a gorgeous wedding without losing all your cents. This guide was inspired by countless weddings the author had attended and planned over the years. It's a frugal guide to help anyone plan a wedding on a budget...

	Me & My BIG Ideas 8 by 8 Our Wedding Scrapbook Box Kit Sale Price: $15.85
	Mambi's unique 8-inch by 8-inch Scrapbook Box Kits include everything necessary to personalize and record your memories, even the coordinated album to hold them in.This beautifully designed "Our Wedding" themed kit is created in neutral colors for any wedding theme and includes the album, papers, embellishments, stickers rhinestones and ribbons...

Wedding Budget Planning

Wedding budget planning can be the most stressful part of the whole wedding process. No one wants their beautiful wedding day plans dashed by the realization that they can’t afford the wedding they want or that they can barely afford any of it due to poor wedding budget planning! One minute you’re on cloud 9 dreaming of your perfect wedding ceremony and then your checkbook crashes the wedding party...

	Blue Solid Tie, Cufflinks, Hanky, Matching Same Fabric Box Set Wedding neck ties DS1004 Sale Price: $9.99
	We also have brand fashionon jewelry (fashionon necklace,fashionon Bracelet, fashionon Pendant),B.BOSS necktie,Y&G Vest SET,Y&G tie set,Y&G cufflinks,Y&G hanky, boss wallet, keychain, Gift box sets listed...

	Oversized Adult White Ruffle Umbrella Parasol, Can Be Used In The Rain Or The Sun, Great Gift Idea Sale Price: $16.95
	Oversized Adult White Ruffle Umbrella Parasol,48" in diameter, 34" in length, 100% Nylon. Push button, automatic opening with Matching plastic handle. Can be used in the rain or to guard against the sun.

	The Ultimate Wedding Idea Book: 1,001 Creative Ideas to Make Your Wedding Fun, Romantic, and Memorable Sale Price: $4.98
	Creative, Romantic, and Exciting Ideas for Your Big DayAre you looking for fabulous and fun suggestions that will make your special day more special? This vibrant little wedding companion will show you how to add spice and pizzazz plus romance and allure to your wedding day to create memories that will stay with you forever...

	Colin Cowie's Extraordinary Weddings: From a Glimmer of an Idea to a Legendary Event Sale Price: $14.89
	What would you like your wedding day to look like? Maybe you dream of a winter wedding, set against snowcapped mountains. Perhaps you would prefer a barefoot wedding on the beach at sunset, with your friends and family dancing until dawn in an ethereal red tent...

Outdoor weddings are romantic and scenic, but there's a lot that can go wrong. Here's your guide to planning a flummox-free, al fresco wedding.

Outdoor Weddings - Things to Consider:

Who will officiate? Some officiants will only perform ceremonies within a house of worship, so you'll need to check with yours in advance before planning your ceremony outside.

Inform your guests - Guests need to know they're attending an outdoor wedding so they can dress appropriately. It's also a good idea to send weather information to out-of-town guests who may not be familiar with the climate.

Be prepared - Combat potential outdoor issues by having the following items on hand:

Bug spray
Water bottles
Umbrellas
Paper fans
Sunscreen
Cell phone
Tissues/paper towels

Securing your Outdoor Wedding Location

For an outdoor wedding, the draw is the setting, so finding the right spot and coordinating the event around it is the most important task on your to-do list. Your setting options are as limitless as the great outdoors itself. But before getting your heart set on a specific spot, these are some key questions you'll need to ask:

Is There Privacy? - keep in mind that if your location is a public space - or even near a public place (like a street or sidewalk), you may have to contend with onlookers. Try to reserve your space in a secluded spot to prevent unwanted guests or distractions.

What's The Backup Plan? - obviously you'll need a plan in case of inclement weather. If your location doesn't have indoor facilities to accommodate your event should the skies open, you'll need to rent a tent.

Can You Hear? - will guests have to compete with roaring waves, gusting winds, honking cars, or screaming children to hear your vows? You may need to rent a sound system and lavalier mics for the officiant and yourselves. Your band or DJ should be able to provide this for you.

Get even more advice on finding unique and scenic settings for outdoor weddings.

All in the Details - Ideas for Outdoor Weddings

Décor Elements

Let the setting speak for itself - don't compete with Mother Nature; rather, subtly enhance your background - whether a sandy beach, blooming garden, or thick forest - with a complementary color palette and décor elements.
Natural elements - depending on your setting, natural items like shells, pinecones, berries, vines, leaves, and grasses provide great décor inspiration.

Flowers

Blooms - an outdoor wedding calls for flowers that can brave all sorts of weather. Look for sturdier blooms like mums, alstromeria, calla lilies and sunflowers.
Style - keep your containers and arrangements natural looking, as an intricately designed, elaborate pedestal centerpiece in a tall candelabra just doesn't fit. Instead, use loose arrangements in urns, wooden boxes, crates, or pails.

Menu

Keep it simple - even an elegant outdoor wedding calls for simpler fare that can withstand varied temperatures, so avoid items like mayonnaise or dishes which must be served cold. If yours is a casual affair, consider a traditional outdoor barbeque.
Keep guests refreshed - especially if your outdoor wedding will take place in a warm environment. Have plenty of ice and water, along with teas or lemonades. Alcoholic beverages like sangria, mojitos, or mint juleps will also keep your guests refreshed.

Cake

Make it last - wedding cakes can melt outside. Opt for fondant icing over buttercream, which doesn't keep well in heat or humidity. Stay away from mousse and ice cream cakes.

Attire

Dare to go casual - outdoor settings allow for breezy fabrics and shorter hemlines
Do elegance right - you can still plan a formal dress code, just consider what's best suited for sun, sand, or grass. Lace and organza are good outdoor fabric options.
For the Girls

- Silhouettes - you may want to forego the giant ball gown skirt. Instead, stick to a romantic empire or a-line. (same goes for your bridesmaids)

- Hemlines - Keep your hemline clean from the grass or dirt. Consider going knee- or tea-length. Or raise a floor-length gown it to the ankles or at least a half inch higher than you would for an indoor wedding. Avoid a train.

- Shoes - Opt for a wide, flat heal, as stilettos may sink into the ground.

For the guys -

- Unbuttoned affair - consider losing the tux and dressing the guys in khakis and sport jackets or crisp oxfords.

- Neat in back - if they do wear a tux, get a vest with a full back - which will look better when their coats are off.

Get even more outdoor wedding ideas for every detail.