Planning a wedding in The Cotswolds?
10 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Caterer
Planning a wedding is full of exciting decisions from finding the perfect Cotswolds venue to choosing your flowers, photographer and music. But one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is what to serve your guests.
Food is one of the parts of a wedding that everyone experiences, and great catering can turn a beautiful day into an unforgettable one.
If you’re currently searching for a wedding caterer in the Cotswolds, here are ten things we recommend considering before making your decision.
1. Start with your venue
Your venue will have a big influence on your catering options.
Some Cotswold wedding venues have their own in-house catering team, while others work with a list of recommended caterers or allow you to bring in your own.
Before booking your caterer, check what your venue allows and whether there are any specific requirements around kitchen facilities, equipment, access, staffing or service.
We work across a range of beautiful Cotswolds venues, from barns and private estates to historic houses and wedding venues, so we’re very used to adapting our catering to different spaces and requirements.
2. Think about the kind of wedding you want
Your food should feel like part of your wedding — not an afterthought.
Are you planning a relaxed summer celebration with long tables and sharing dishes? A formal wedding breakfast? An elegant Italian-inspired feast? Perhaps you want a relaxed BBQ in the evening followed by late-night food?
There really isn’t one perfect wedding menu.
Think about the atmosphere you want to create and choose a caterer who can work with that vision.
3. Look beyond the menu
When comparing caterers, it’s easy to focus purely on the price per head or which dishes are included.
But there is much more to catering than the food itself.
Ask what is included within the quote. Does it include staff? Set-up and clearing? Crockery and cutlery? Service? Equipment? Transport?
Understanding exactly what you’re paying for from the beginning makes it much easier to compare different caterers fairly and avoids unexpected costs further down the line.
4. Ask how flexible the menu is
Your wedding menu should be personal to you.
A good caterer should be able to talk through your ideas and make suggestions rather than simply handing you a fixed menu and asking you to choose from it.
At In The Frame, our menus are designed as a starting point. We’re always happy to discuss different dishes, seasonal ingredients and ways of adapting menus to suit the style of your day.
5. Don’t forget dietary requirements
Dietary requirements are increasingly common at weddings, so it’s important to discuss these with your caterer early.
Whether you have guests who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or have specific allergies, ask how these requirements will be catered for.
Ideally, dietary alternatives should feel just as considered and delicious as the main menu — nobody wants to be handed a disappointing plate while everyone else enjoys dinner!
6. Consider the season
One of the lovely things about getting married in the Cotswolds is the opportunity to make the most of beautiful seasonal produce.
A summer wedding lends itself to fresh salads, colourful vegetables, grilled meats and lighter dishes, while autumn and winter weddings are perfect for richer, comforting flavours.
Talk to your caterer about what is naturally at its best at the time of year you’re getting married. Seasonal menus can often make your food feel even more special.
7. Think about the whole food journey
Your wedding food doesn’t necessarily begin with the wedding breakfast.
Think about what your guests will eat throughout the day.
Perhaps you’ll welcome everyone with canapés and drinks, followed by your wedding breakfast, then an evening meal or late-night food.
You might also want to consider a relaxed breakfast or brunch the following morning if you’re hosting guests for the whole weekend.
Thinking about the entire experience helps create a natural flow throughout your celebration.
8. Ask about tastings
A tasting is one of the most enjoyable parts of planning your wedding — and it’s a great opportunity to meet your caterer and experience their food for yourself.
Ask what is included within the tasting and whether you can discuss changes to the menu afterwards.
At In The Frame, our wedding tastings are designed to give couples the opportunity to try their chosen dishes, talk through the menu and make sure everything feels exactly right before the big day.
9. Consider the service
Beautiful food is important, but so is the way it is served.
Think about whether you want plated service, sharing dishes, a relaxed buffet-style meal, food stations or something more informal.
Consider how you want your wedding breakfast to feel. Do you want a long, leisurely meal with plenty of time for speeches and conversation, or something more relaxed and flowing?
Your catering team can help you work out what will suit both your vision and your venue.
10. Choose a caterer you trust
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of finding a catering team you genuinely feel comfortable with.
Your caterer will be involved in one of the biggest days of your life, and you want to know that they’re organised, approachable and capable of handling whatever the day throws at them.
From the first enquiry through to the final plate being cleared, good communication makes all the difference.
At In The Frame Catering, we’ve been creating food for weddings and events across the Cotswolds since 2014. Our approach is centred around delicious, Italian-inspired food, thoughtful service and creating menus that feel personal to each couple.
We work closely with our couples and their venues to make sure every detail is taken care of — leaving you free to enjoy your day, your guests and, most importantly, your food.
Planning your Cotswolds wedding?
If you’re looking for wedding catering in the Cotswolds, we’d love to hear about your plans.
Whether you’re dreaming of an elegant wedding breakfast, relaxed sharing dishes, a summer celebration or something completely bespoke, get in touch with our team to start creating your menu.
