5 tips on working with our wedding caterer by wedding knots

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, 

I wanted to share a part of our wedding journey that was really memorable.

And here's something for all you valentine couples tying the knot or planning to say your "I dos".

This is my first in depth post post-wedding wise, 

as we were sharing most of our journey on instagram.

But I felt this deserves a post on its own to share a little more of my next biggest interest, after Roy.

Food!

When it comes to food, 

my eyes naturally light up and it was such a big part of our wedding!

Trust me when I say so,

cos we had like 5-6 different tastings! 

Even up to a month before the wedding! 

Nope I wasn't a starving bride-to-be,

but a super excited foodie bride who wants to savour everything before the wedding!

So let's say you've chosen a caterer, 

that's where the real fun happens...

here are 5 tips on how to curate your perfect wedding menu with your caterer!

The caterer of our choice for our church wedding was Wedding Knots by Lavish;

from the moment we spoke to the tastings to the actual set up and luncheon itself,

it was deliciously divine! 

We were so impressed during the tasting,

that Roy's parents decided to hire them for our tea ceremony luncheon at his place too!

1: Know Your Venue

As we decided to have Wedding Knots cater for our church wedding at the Cathedral of Good Shepard,

First and foremost, we had to head down with the team to view the reception venue. 

Given the space constrain, 

 a standing buffet with pass around canapes would fit best

Working with churches or places of worship might have some restrictions,

hence always check with the hosting venue and don't make any assumptions.

Such as usage of available space, 

electrical points that are usable for the caterers (or if there is any electrical points), 

holding area for the preparation and clearing of food and cutleries. 

Wedding Knots were really experienced to suggest a outdoor-indoor set up to maximise the limited reception space we had.

Which also helped to disperse the crowd and not be too overcrowded in the indoor area.

We had the drinks "reception" area on the outside which they really dressed the drinks crate up making it an interesting booth for our guests to stand around and get a drink to cool down.

2: What Works Best For Your Budget

Other than space constraints, budget is something to keep in mind and know that with every budget, you can make the best of it and enjoy a memorable wedding lunch/dinner.
We choose a butler pass canapes and live stations set up for the church reception that could range around $50-$90 per pax. With a butler pass menu, we had customised canapes tailored especially to our favourite foods! Like Roy's favourite Chicken Rice Sushi, Beef Rib Kong bak Bao, and my favourites like Sweet and Savoury pancakes. What we loved about Wedding Knots was their thoughtfulness to customise foods we like, and unique live stations menu, instead of the usual suspects you get in a buffet. And you can be sure that even buffets at $20 per pax come with quality and decent servings that is sure to please! 

And on a personal recommendation, do order their signature Laksa! No regrets!

And if you have chosen a space that allows for a sit down wedding dinner,

Wedding Knots also provide sit down lunch/dinner course at a reasonable $120-180 per pax, inclusive of set up!! Wow! That's like your very own hotel wedding dinner without the hotel price tag.

3: Be Our Guest

A big deciding factor throughout our wedding process was to ensure that our guests had fun and enjoy themselves.

And as much as a wedding is for the couple and their families, it's for their friends too.

Get to know your guest and identify their preference. 

Such as their age group and will there be more guys or ladies.

Why you might ask. 

Since Wedding Knots were the caterers for our church ceremony, 

we were expecting a younger group of friends as most of the dinner guests were for our parents' friends.

With a younger group of guest, Wedding Knots suggested more adventurous Modern Asian fusion menu, such as the  Beef  Rib Kong Bak Bao,

But if you'd ask me, i think it's better than the older version!

As we were expecting more ladies too, Wedding Knots curated an elaborate and pristinely designed dessert spread. Instagrammably pretty unicorn cake pops and Duo Popsicles with White Chocolate Raspberry for her and Milk Chocolate Orange Popsicles for him.

And of course live stations!

Everyone loves the interaction at live stations and it brings your usual buffet spread to a new level.

They've made eating at weddings an experience for both you and your guests.

4: Dos and Don'ts

Dietary restrictions are a tricky one.

In the midst of all the hectic planning and getting all excited over the menu,

do keep all of your guests in mind.

We almost had menu slip up, forgetting to cater for our vegetarian friends. 

Cos Roy and I were all oohhing and aahhing over the proposed beefy and meaty savoury delights, we forgot we had a couple of vegetarian friends to cater for! 

Thank to our wedding planner who worked with Wedding Knots on a last min notice to get that settled!

Phew!!!

So yes, do keep your muslim and vegetarian friends in mind and let the catering team work their magic. 

5: Theme

What we really loved about Wedding Knots, wasn't just the food but the whole set up!

Most buffets we get, come in the same ole' copious amounts of food in metal chafing dishes, all lined up in a buffet line. And in order to make the food line anything remotely beautiful (especially since it's your once in a life time wedding), you'd have to crack your heads and either get a wedding stylist or get a deco team on board to prettify the whole ambience (as if you don't have enough on your mind already). 

But with Wedding Knots, they've got it all covered!

Yeaps you heard it right!

The whole set up!

They actually have a wide range of props in house just for wedding set ups! Be assured of a buffet line that's instagram worthy and not your average food line. 

Do share with them your theme and preferences, 

perhaps an oriental theme? rustic? tropical?

head over to their instagram page to check out some of their pretty dope set ups! 

guys, there's something for you too!

spotted a Star Wars theme with an R2D2 on display too.

Here are my 5 take aways from working with the Wedding knots team on a really memorable church reception. To find out more on their extensive menus and work on your very own customised food theme, check out Wedding Knots