Tips and tricks to finding your perfect wedding caterer can be very helpful! The role of a caterer is integral to your successful wedding day – they provide set up, service, cocktails, cuisine, and clean-up. They are there for you from your backyard wedding to the cater-less venue to the fancy ballrooms.  They can help you choose your cuisine style, the proper wine, assist with decor and rentals and work within your budget.

But how to choose this so important wedding professional for your nuptials? What are some tips and tricks to finding your perfect catering match? 

We spoke with Heidi Jones, Senior Sales & Event Manager of Vancouver Island’s  Truffles Catering, to answer some essential questions. We asked her what she thought were the most crucial things to look for in your caterer – so here are her tips & tricks to finding your wedding caterer:: 

1}  Determine your budget first. You can have your caterer help you figure out how much you are hoping to spend per guest and if you are hosting a bar/table wine or providing a cash bar. These factors will affect your budget and culinary possibilities.

2}  Look for a caterer that aligns to your ‘couple cuisine philosophy’ such as environmental concerns, any wish to source locally, and any particular culinary wishes.  Are you looking for a food truck or a personal chef? Be sure to search for your perfect caterer in the right place!

3}  Location can be a factor – some caterers will only work locally, and others will travel.  Those that are willing to travel may ask for additional mileage charges and perhaps even accommodation for staff. So if you are planning your wedding at a remote spot, keep this in mind.

4)  Caterers can help you with the food-specific day of planning – timelines for receptions and dinners, bar service plans, creating specialty cocktails, ensuring dietary requests service, and all kinds of other helpful advice and action. However, caterers often work with and interact with your wedding planner or the event planner at the venue you have chosen.

5) Pricing can seem confusing, so keep in mind that there will be costs other than the actual food, such as staffing, equipment, rentals (glassware, flatware, place settings, linens, tables, chairs, dance floors, etc.), and decor (if requested).  Price will also fluctuate depending on your choices of cuisine.

6)  Caterers will offer pre-set menus or a curated menu if you desire. Curated menus will be more unique and unusual. The culinary team would be happy to sit and consult with you to bring your vision to life but keep in mind that pricing will be according to the requests you are making and perhaps even the growing season.  Strawberries in December? Those would not be local, and that will reflect in the price.

6)  Caterers know all the best wedding professionals, so they will have great advice for you on who to hire and may even offer to contract them on your behalf.

7)  Anyone who has tried to deal with liquor licenses in BC will be thrilled to know that your caterer can deal with the BC Board on your behalf  – providing they buy the alcohol and serve. They will handle all your alcohol and specialty cocktail needs or contract in a company specializing in liquor service.

8) Deposits are required for a caterer to start purchasing your choices – expect the request to be 50% of the estimated total to confirm the caterer. The remaining amount is normally due before the event – often 30 to 90 days before your wedding day. This is so that your caterer can line up staff, ensure that all product is ordered and that rentals arrive.”

So don’t be in a hurry – take a look at it and meet with a few caterers before making your decision. Be sure you feel happy and comfortable around the Catering Team that will be handling your day. Have fun with a tasting that should include the wine pairing (this may require payment, but it is worth every dime for peace of mind!) and enjoy your culinary choices on this most important day.

Point of Interest…some of Truffle Catering’s Suppliers:

Sun Wing Tomatoes

Saanich Organics

Top Soil Urban Farms

Gobind Farms

Silver Rill Corn

Fol Epi Organic Bread and Pastry

Qualicum Cheese Works

Rossdown Farms

Berryman Farms

Parry Bay Farm

Maple Hill Farms

Fraser Valley Meats

Two Rivers Meats

Level Ground Coffee

The post Tips & Tricks to Finding Your Wedding Caterer appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

Love in the summer! Sunshine beamed down on this bohemian field reception at St. Ann’s Academy which featured so many wonderful details…corsage floral, lace, letterbox favors, candy, waffles, mead, tattoo bar, wine and kissing bells. There were flowers everywhere and the best part was the cotton candy! 

We especially loved the intricate yet relaxed hairstyles on our bohemian girls – braids, loose curls and real flowers in their hair. Pastel coloured gowns flowing in the breeze were the perfect match to the fitted boho lace wedding gown. 

The field reception featured a head table straight out of an English novel. Pastel colours were themed to the décor and even the cuisine! Local breads and wines were paired with fruits and salads creating a true Tuscany table. 

Let’s not forget the piece de resistance – the wonderful teepee featuring a guitar playing groom! And the moment we love? When the bride and groom rode off on a motorcycle!

TIP: Looking to create your own ‘love in the summer’ wedding look? Watch for colored glass at vintage stores and place it on patterned linens. Mismatched chairs are easy to find to create the field reception tablescape. Unusual floral bouquets and fun ideas like floral arm bands add to the bohemian feel. 

You are invited to more love stories!

PHOTOS: Funkytown Photography | VENUE: St. Ann’s Academy | GOWNS: Shades of White Bridal | MENSWEAR: The Hudson’s Bay | DESIGN & DECOR & FLORAL DESIGN: Brown’s the Florist | Teresa Brenay & Anne Pollock of Party Mood | SHOES: Emmy London | MAKEUP: Elate Cosmetics | HAIR: Lacey Iris | CUISINE: Toque Catering | JEWELERY: Designs by Twyla | BIRD: Pacific Northwest Raptors | WINE: Unsworth Vineyards

The post Love in the Summer at St. Ann’s Academy appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

Chic city wedding is the signature of this restaurant bridal editorial. Restaurant weddings can save a couple tons of time and planning plus provide amazing food opportunities.  The key to restaurant weddings is searching for the perfect place that provides the ambiance and space you need. Are you Greek food enthusiasts? Garden patios your fav? Sophisticated or upscale New York your thing? Start searching your city for the amazing spot that will work for you and your guests. (Side Benefit? An excuse to eat out as it doubles as ‘tastings’!!)

This chic city wedding editorial was set in Burdock & Co. – a restaurant that features sustainable cuisine and naturalist wines.  This lovely spot offers mood-setting intimacy with memorable farm-to-table fare perfect for an effortlessly elegant wedding reception.

Embodying rustic farmhouse charm, the city venue is already decor ready with locally reclaimed wood, vintage glassware and whitewashed brick. Adding white floral in glass showcases the beautiful vintage feel making it feel like a space out of time in a busy city. 

The bride is gowned to fit the scene in a gorgeous white dress with lace overlay. The plunging neckline and back bring the sophistication. The bouquet is a handheld collection of white and grey toned greenery which is carried through all the bouquets in the room.  Loose curls frame the bride’s natural makeup suiting the minimalist look. 

Of course, the real hit of a wedding evening in this atmosphere is the food and drink! Oyster appetizers, signature drinks, unique tastings – the best part of restaurant wedding. Be sure to talk to your chefs and be specific on your favorite dishes. Would you like a specific theme to your cuisine? Perhaps you wish to have drinks in certain colours? We love the shot of pink used in this inspiration palette. 

Celebrating your chic wedding day at a restaurant will leave a lasting impression on your guests – it’s unique and intimate. Your guests will toasting you all night long! 

chic city pricing tips…

Be aware that some restaurants require you to ‘buy out’ the evening to the tune of what the restaurant might lost for shutting down for your event. However, shop carefully. Other restaurants have purposely set aside an evening a week for weddings or prefer to have a wedding than an evening of normal clientele. Don’t assume you have to pay an outrageous ‘buy out’ to have a restaurant wedding.  Burdock & Co., featured in this editorial, actively seeks weddings – you will find restaurants who are looking for couples often have entire pages on their websites devoted to what they can offer. Upscale coffee shops that close early evenings are often thrilled to have events and allow you to bring in your own caterer. The best of both worlds!  And this idea is incredible for showers, engagement parties etc. 

You are invited to more eco-friendly wedding inspiration!

PHOTOGRAPHER: Leila Kwok | VENUE: Burdock & Co. | FLORAL DESIGN: Studio Full Bloom | GOWN: Park & Fifth Co. | CUISINE: Talented kitchen team at Burdock & Co and Chef Andrea Carlson | FOOD SUPPLIERS: Foxglove Farm, Glorious Organics and Inner City Farms  and vineyard Bella Wines | APPETIZERS: Outlandish Shellfish + Curious Oyster Co. 

The post Chic City Wedding Inspiration in Vancouver appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

Inspiration in the woods is the foundation of this beautiful editorial. That truth shines through the rich tones and vibrant colours of this woodsy wedding. So we follow the gorgeous bride ‘into the woods’ where we find sweet smelling candles, stylish cocktails, one of a kind jewellery, overgrown bouquets, delicious edibles and an organic cake!

The creative minds behind this gorgeous editorial found their inspiration in the rich tones of the forest. So dark forest green with a deep yellow were used in this warm and inviting scene in the woods.

We love so many things about this inspiration editorial! The colour palette is highlighted even in the charcuterie board and gin bar. Even more impressive was the attention to scent which is something that is often overlooked.   Between the fresh eucalyptus in the bouquet and the glowing amber colored candles from 341 Candle Co, scented with bergamont, cedar and spruce, the forest was smelling even more amazing than it already does naturally.

Of course, the showstopper is the bride with her crown of flowing red locks!  Her hair is  perfectly showcased by the detailed, yet simplistic, feel to her gown and sumptuous flowers.  The bridesmaids are perfect in their beauty surrounded by the serenity of the woods.

Of course, the showstopper is the bride with her crown of flowing red locks!

The design team behind this inspirational shoot assured us that they had fun creating and shaking up signature cocktail right on set, a Rosemary Gimlet.  Not only did it taste amazing with the Ampersand Gin but it fit perfectly with the woodsy theme.

Jewellery From The Woods!

The one of a kind jewellery worn by the bride was a find through happenstance of a Ucluelet shop. The jewellery designer was more than happy to come up with pieces just for this shoot in the perfect emerald green colour.

We were really impressed with the attention to local talent and creations that were showcased in this editorial –  shop local and look at the beauty you can enjoy!

West Coast Wedding Style Tip:

This creative shoot concentrated, not only on local, but on organic and vegan. The cuisine is actually completely vegan, the cake is all organic ingredients and the flowers are sourced locally! You can recreate easily by looking for local talent who are as devoted to these ideals as you.

Photos: Three Sisters Photography | Design: Three Sisters Photography | Props: Party Mood | Floral Design: Willow & Orchid | Hair: Kim Kirkland | Makeup: Jessica Pool Makeup | Cake: Cobble Hill Cake Co. | Candles: 341 Candles | Table: The Painted Key | Gin Cocktails: Ampersand Distilling Co. | Custom Jewellery Design: Joleen Sohier | Cuisine: The Very Good Butchers | Models: Dahlia Aidana | Krista Rochon | Emily Lavender

The post Into the Woods West Coast Wedding Inspiration appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

Helpful Hints – Choosing Your Wedding Cake

Written by Cake Professional Corina Ludwig – the owner of Passion for Cakes

Congrats! You’re getting married.  You’ve picked your date, and now the real fun starts.  Colors, themes, dresses, photographer, the venue…and cake! For many, choosing your cake means the best thing ever – cake tasting.  The cake is the one wedding choice everyone is willing to help you with until the nitty-gritty decisions start.  The number of layers, naked or iced, fondant or buttercream.  It can quickly go from fun to stressful.  That’s where the cake professionals come in to help you along.  They can help you figure out what kind of cake will be the best fit for your day and take all your cake worries off your plate.  The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding day is your cake, so here are some helpful hints to choosing your professional cake vendor.

Book in Advance

The respected and talented cake vendors are usually booked up to a year, especially during the wedding-season (May-September). If it is a single baker, find out if your cake will be frozen before delivery or if it will be fresh.  A great question to ask your vendor: How many other cakes will you schedule for that day? You will want to ensure that the number is as low as possible.

Know Your Budget

Have your budget in mind before your email or call.  Sharing your budget upfront will be most helpful in narrowing your choices. There is a range of cake vendors to suit almost any budget. You can spend hundreds or thousands, with most typical wedding cakes being in the range of $250-$1500.  A great question to ask: What recommendations do you have to maximize our budget?

Vendor Style

Choose a cake professional that specializes in the style of cake you’re looking for, and that can create your vision. Share some pictures with your potential cake vendor (Pinterest is your friend!) and ask them to show you cakes that they have done that may be similar. Please show them your invite, colors, theme, and décor choices and ask for their ideas.  Great Question to ask: What can they do to make your cake unique to you and your fiancé?

Design Quality

Now that you have a style in mind consider the design quality.  Will the cake vendor be able to deliver on the details? For example, if your cake will be displayed outdoors, you will likely want fondant icing for food safety.  If you are requesting flowers on your cake (a cost-effective design idea), ensure that your vendor is using food-safe flowers and properly attached, so they do not wilt.  A great question to ask: Do you have previous wedding cake photos for me to see?

Size Does Matter!

Your cake professional can help you with sizing once you know approximately how many guests will be eating the cake. Many venues/caterers serve dessert as part of the wedding meal – so less cake will be required. There is always the traditional three-tiered wedding cake but consider everything from a cake and candy dessert buffet to cupcakes, pies, groom’s cake, individual cakes, and sweets, or any combination.  If you are having a smaller wedding but like the look of a large cake, ask for some of the tiers to be faux. A great question to ask: What do they recommend for a group this size?

Cake by Taryn

You’ll want to choose a cake that not only looks great but tastes amazing, so take the time to sample for flavour options. This will also allow you to meet your baker and talk about your wedding cake. If you have a larger, diverse group of guests, be sure that you choose a cake vendor that can deal with gluten, dairy, or peanut-free allergies. A great question to ask: Where do they source their ingredients?

It’s All in the Delivery

The number one reason wedding cakes fail is that there is damage during transport. Don’t take on the responsibility yourself to save money – it’s not worth it! You want to choose a cake vendor that includes cake delivery as part of their services. The right cake professional will ensure that the cake is properly boxed, safe, and set up on time for your wedding day. Be sure to provide your cake vendor with details on where the cake is set up and how long it will be sitting out before serving. A great question to ask: How will the wedding cake be delivered?

The Fine Print

Your cake vendor should provide you with a quote and cake contract outlining exactly what is included, how refunds and cancellations work, and their guarantee. Does their quote include florals, cake toppers, delivery, cake platter, serving utensils, flavors, and fillings of your choice, take-home boxes for leftovers, top tier packaged for the first anniversary, etc.? A great question to ask: What’s not included?

Look for the Trust

Be sure to work with vendors that are credible and reliable.  Ask your venue, wedding planner, or other wedding professionals who they recommend as a cake vendor. Here is a list of Vancouver Island cake vendors to help you get started.

arts bakery | cake bread | cakes etc. | coastal cake company | custom cakes victoria  | cake by taryn  lighthouse cake company | ooh la la cupcakes | passion for cakes | patisserie daniel | ruth and dean | schur to please boutique cakery | tiers of joycakes | tofino cake studio | toque catering | july’s girl cake co | cobble hill cake co.

The post Helpful Hints – Choosing Your Wedding Cake appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

Charming Decor Trends and Beauty were the themes of this ‘live editorial’  – wedding professionals brought a romantic and luxurious vision to life, creating an interactive experience. Couples who visited the showcase could taste, feel, look, and enjoy the ambiance and culinary delights. We loved the great trends, such as the fabric table menus, gorgeous hats, one-of-a-kind linens, and beautiful culinary details.

Charming Décor Trends for West Coast Weddings

We love the intricate, detailed décor filled with vintage candlesticks and furniture! Small floral arrangements dotted about the tablescape create a wonderful feeling of lush colour heaven below the larger candelabra floral designs—a true Vancouver Island wedding inspiration palette.

Gorgeous hats are the perfect way to complement the beautiful lace gowns trending with brides. Local talent can create a custom hat to match your wedding vision! The table linens were custom-created for the vision, allowing the gilt to shine through the cloth.

What an inspirational piece for brides or bridesmaids! A flowing wrist bouquet of white flowers showcases the blinged-out gown without taking attention away. It’s a great idea and charming decor trend!

Who knew florals could look so wonderful inside a cage? A fascinating twist on a floral design that showcases floating bouquets. 

Antique furniture ‘rooms’ are making quite a statement using bold colours, vintage fabrics, and lots of detail. The lovely bride wears another signature hairpiece from local designer Lynda Marie. Altogether, this charming decor trend design live masterpiece inspires all Vancouver Island wedding couples!

You are invited to more beautiful West Coast Wedding Trends!

PHOTOS: Tyson Airaksinen Photography | CATERING: Toque Catering | DECOR: Charming Decor Event Design | GOWNS:  Shades Of White Bridal | FLORAL: FLEURtacious By Lynda Marie | MAKEUP:  Elate Cosmetics | MILLINERY: Lynda Marie Couture Millinery | MODELS: Coultish Management | PAPER: Refinemark |  VENUE: Villa Marco Polo

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