Planning the perfect wedding menu with Wild Pantry

Wedding planning can be a long and complex process, but one of the most crucial (and also the most fun) elements is the menu. Food not only keeps your guests fed, happy and satisfied, it's also an opportunity for you, the couple, to showcase your personality and create something really memorable. Gone are the days of "chicken or beef?" for every guest: more and more couples are opting to create something totally unique to them.

It can be hard to know where to start with planning wedding catering, though: not many people have planned dinner for say 100 guests. To help you navigate this essential part of your wedding, we spoke with Sashi from Wiltshire-based Wild Pantry, renowned for their innovative and delicious wedding catering. Here’s how they transform your vision into delectable reality.

A Personalised Approach to Wedding Catering

At Wild Pantry, they understand that your wedding is a one-of-a-kind celebration. Their personalised approach ensures your menu reflects your story and tastes while delighting your guests. The journey begins with a relaxed conversation to get to know you as a couple and understand your vision for the big day. Discussing everything from the guest count, budget, preferred culinary and service style, to dietary needs and venue facilities, Wild Pantry leaves no stone unturned.

The team then shares past wedding successes with similar themes or preferences, giving you a glimpse of what’s possible. The highlight of the process is a private menu tasting at a mutually convenient location. This tasting allows you to sample your chosen dishes and make any final adjustments, ensuring you are completely confident and in love with your menu. "We want you to be completely confident and in love with your menu, ensuring it perfectly complements your special day," the team emphasises.

Catering to All Needs

Wild Pantry excels at accommodating dietary restrictions and special requests, ensuring all guests have a delightful dining experience - no matter what the dietary needs of their guests. Their only ask is that clients try to get as much info as they can about those requirements. "Our chefs are well-versed in creating flavourful dishes that cater to specific dietary needs. We don't believe restrictions should compromise taste!"

Trending Now: Summer Wedding Menus

Wild Pantry stays ahead of the curve by incorporating the latest trends into their wedding menus. Here are some trends they are seeing for weddings this summer:

• Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Choices: Diners are increasingly interested in local, fresh, and seasonal ingredients that burst with flavor. Wild Pantry prioritizes sourcing locally to craft menus that showcase the bounty of the summer harvest and reduce the carbon footprint.

• Reduced Waste: By minimizing food waste through careful planning and portion control, and offering compostable tableware, packaging, and cutlery options, they align with couples' eco-friendly values.

• Health-Conscious Eating: Couples are opting for healthier, colorful, and delicious food choices over traditional fried food spreads.

• Interactive and Experiential Dining: Moving away from traditional plated meals, sharing plates and family-style service encourage conversation and a more communal dining experience.

• Feasting and Grazing Tables: These abundant tables invite guests to indulge in a vibrant array of culinary delights, fostering a communal dining experience.

• Live Cooking Stations: Adding a touch of entertainment, live cooking stations allow guests to witness culinary artistry firsthand, with options like fire pit cooking and creative dessert presentations.

By incorporating these trends, Wild Pantry creates wedding menus that are not only delicious but also reflect contemporary values and aesthetics.

Tips for Starting Your Wedding Planning Journey

For couples just starting out on their wedding planning journey, the team at Wild Pantry offers this advice: "Enjoy the process! Wedding planning can be stressful, but it's a chance to create memories together as a couple. Celebrate milestones and savor the excitement." They emphasize the importance of considering your catering early, as food sets the mood and creates lasting memories. Choosing a caterer who aligns with your vision, values, and budget is crucial. Wild Pantry offers free consultations to discuss your wedding food dreams.

A Memorable Experience: Ellie & Adam’s Festival Wedding

One memorable experience involved creating a unique festival wedding for Ellie and Adam. With private land available, they wanted a weekend celebration reminiscent of a festival. Wild Pantry helped organize logistics, including stretch tents, catering marquees, and staging for the band.

The culinary journey began with a casual BBQ for the evening guests and local brewery kegs in a beer tent. The following day featured canapés and small bowls during the reception, followed by a feasting table for lunch. Guests enjoyed a fillet of hot smoked salmon with various accompaniments, wine, and keg beer. The evening focused on cocktails and Mezcal, a favorite of the groom, and ended with late-night tacos.

The event was a roaring success, with the couple expressing their happiness with how everything went. This experience showcases Wild Pantry’s dedication to bringing each couple’s unique vision to life.

Prioritizing Sustainability

Sustainability is a growing priority for many couples, and Wild Pantry is at the forefront of this trend. "Millennials and Gen Z are highly conscious of environmental issues and want their wedding celebrations to reflect their values," Sashi said. By choosing local, seasonal ingredients and eco-friendly practices, Wild Pantry ensures that sustainable choices enhance the overall wedding experience without compromising on taste or aesthetics.

Planning the perfect wedding menu is a crucial part of your big day, and with Wild Pantry, you gain a team dedicated to bringing your food vision to life. Their commitment to personalised service, delicious food, and sustainability makes them the ideal partner for creating unforgettable wedding memories.

Book them here.