Austin Wedding Caterer Advice for Guest Arrival Timing

“Typically, the bride & groom is focused on pictures and talking with guests, so we always recommend having food and bar available for guests as soon as the ceremony concludes. Guests are hungry and dinner won't be served immediately so small bites/appetizers and a cold beverage is something that will help keep the crowd engaged and energized until dinner.”

“Give your caterers solid examples of your preferences! We always ask our couples 'What are your favorite restaurants in Austin?' Once they start naming all these places that they love, we can recognize and figure out why they like certain menus or presentations and find a direction to use in catering. When couples take the time to let us know their favorite restaurants, dishes, even food accounts they follow on Instagram - we can draw from that.”

“Planning and scheduling a wedding is stressful enough. Keeping the food simple is something we've found couples appreciate. Couples who want P. Terry's burgers and fries for their wedding dinner, rehearsal dinner, or late night snacks are looking for a casual experience and fresh, good food. Our catering truck allows us to bring our store kitchen to them - for a reasonable price.”

“First, have a budget and let your caterer know what that is! Any caterer can design a menu to fit your budget and keep it tailored to your likes and dislikes. Second, have a pretty good idea as to how many people are attending. This gives us insight as to service style (buffet vs family style vs plated) and just how creative we can get with designing your menu. Finally, a caterer can supply more than just food! The more your caterer can do for you, the more you can check off your to-do list!”

“Choose the style of service that best suits your vision for the entire reception. Do you want something more formal like a seated dinner or more of a cocktail feel with heavy hors d'oeuvres offered throughout the evening? The menu and style of service should reflect the atmosphere you want to set for your guests. It's always fun to add some personal touches to the menu as well!”

“Be sure your caterer brings enough staff to feed everyone in a short amount of time. With regard to BBQ, don't serve ribs or bone-in chicken. Both are messy to eat and you don't want to get BBQ sauce on your face, hands, or your nice clothes.”

“The food at the reception is one of the most memorable parts of the wedding because that is the time that everyone is starving, and ready to eat heartily. We cook Cowboy Style, which means that we do not overly smoke our meat. We cook hot and faster than most other BBQ out there. You will not be burping up smoke flavor, and will not be uncomfortable eating it. The guests will still be able to dance, move around, and have a great evening.”

“Plan on having a cocktail hour for when guests arrive and are waiting for your arrival while your pictures are being taken after the ceremony. Family Style dinner is all the rage now. It's interactive, fun and intimate. One of the most important tips we can give is to make sure you hire a planner for your day of to help all your vendors stay on track. Choosing a reputable caterer whom is prompt, rated online and experienced is always important. Remember, you get what you pay for!”

“Food is always such a personal thing. My advice is to stay true to yourself and pick food items that reflect on you as a couple. If you two love staying in and eating mac and cheese while watching movies, why not have a mac and cheese bar? Anything that will make your guests say 'This is so like them,' will be well received! Also, make sure you actually eat on your day! We always have a server assigned to taking care of the bride and groom specifically.”