Experiencing a Wedding Catering Tasting
17th December 2025 - New Experience Number 37.
Firstly, let me clarify that experiencing a wedding catering tasting was not because the Other Half and I had decided to get married. Rather, I was standing in for someone who couldn’t make it, and what an incredibly delicious experience it was!
If you’re getting married, or know someone who is, then this post covers what it was like experiencing a wedding catering tasting and why it’s an important part of planning the big day.
What is a Wedding Catering Tasting?
Food is often a key part of a wedding. Of course all of the guests are in attendance to celebrate the happy couple, but they usually need some sort of sustenance during proceedings.
Whether you’re selecting from a menu provided by the venue, or opting to source outside catering, it’s usual for the couple to sample some of the options available and discover which tastes and presentations will best suit their party.
You may have a theme for your wedding food, from a traditional sit-down three course meal, to a hog roast, to a selection of street food and beyond.
The couple we were tasting with had decided to go down the street food route. They wanted a less formal meal, and to give their guests choice from familiar options without having to commit to a set menu across the board.
Experiencing a Wedding Catering Tasting on an Industrial Estate
The wedding catering that we were going to try was independent from the venue for the party. Driving to an industrial estate, it didn’t feel like the most exciting location, but on arrival we understood why they needed the space.
This caterer didn’t just provide the food, they also provided food trucks and converted tuktuks for a street food / festival vibe if that was of interest. There really is a lot you can consider.
Inside the main building was a vast professional kitchen, and a plush seating area for us to sit back and enjoy the delicacies on offer.
A Feast From The Start
We were so well looked after as we indulged in freshly prepared and well-thought-out canapés and high-quality mains. Luckily we had a designated driver, as our glasses were frequently topped up with bubbles.
Already it felt like a special occasion, and this was just the tasting!
The Food - Experiencing A Wedding Catering Tasting
I’m so glad I hadn’t eaten much that day, because we sampled A LOT.
Beginning with a plethora of canapé options, we tried;
- Goat’s cheese and chorizo croquettes – a nice and mildly-spiced bite-sized nibble.
- A miniature Korean buttermilk chicken burger with slaw – full of flavour, more substantial for a canapé, and also a little more messy.
- Onion bhajis – a vegetarian option with three incredibly deliciously different dips.
- Lamb naan – a finger-food-sized naan bread topped with perfectly cooked shredded lamb.
- Pork belly bao bun – succulently cooked pork neatly contained in a light bao bun with an optional dash of Sriracha sauce.
- Beef wrap – thinly sliced roast beef with a dot of horseradish sauce rolled in a small Yorkshire pudding.
This was followed by a delicious selection of three larger options for the main course;
- Gyros – a big bowlful of marinated chicken, light pittas, fresh salad and wild garlic mayonnaise and optional chilli sauce. This was soooooo flavoursome, but also a bit messy to assemble.
- Pizza – scrumptious slices of three classics with more than ample toppings and a well-cooked base.
- Fish and chips – the staple classic, with a nice light batter, perfectly seasoned crispy fries, mushy peas and curry sauce.
Making The Decision
Everything we tried was worthy of being chosen for the big day and I’m glad I didn’t have to make the final decision! I do know that whatever selection the couple made, their guests are in for a treat!
Of course, with food often being such an integral part of the big day, the decision doesn’t have to be done there and then at the tasting. There are usually follow up conversations, suggestions, questions, and recommendations to make sure the catering covers exactly what the couple are looking for.
If using external caterers, then there may even be tastings with the different providers to try the options available and pick the one that feels most suited to your event.
Why Going to a Wedding Catering Tasting is Important
Whilst I’m not planning a wedding any time soon, I can appreciate why it’s important to have a tasting.
Not only is it an opportunity to narrow down the options that you think will suit your guests, it’s also helpful to see how dishes are presented.
For example; the onion bhaji canapés were incredibly tasty but a bit faffy and there was a likelihood of cross-contamination of the dip, and whilst we all agreed the gyros were a particularly delicious option, the unanimous verdict was that the self-assembly nature of them would be too messy.
So as well as making sure the food is exactly what you want for your event, you can make sure it’s not going to be too messy for people in their smart outfits or too faffy.
Experiencing a Wedding Catering Tasting - A Delicious New Thing To Try
Me and the Other Half are happily non-married, and don’t have any plans to officially tie the knot, so I’ve never experienced all of the planning and preparation that goes into the special day.
Going to the wedding catering tasting was a delicious glimpse into one of the many decisions that couples often make for their celebrations, a fabulous foodie experience, and a brilliant reminder of just how much thought goes into every detail.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- Undoubtedly, this is an experience primarily for couples planning a wedding, but you can also go to a catering tasting if you’re planning an event.
- Perhaps you know a couple who are planning a wedding, if you’re close enough with them you could always cheekily offer to help them with their tasting.
- There are thousands of wedding caterers, simply look online for any near you, or near the wedding venue, and make contact with them to get the ball rolling.
- You can read more and find other top tips for wedding food tastings at Brides.com and Togather.com
- Click here to discover other food and drink experiences tried as part of Challenge Fifty Two
Cost Of Experience
- It’s hard to put a price on this experience, as it will depend on the caterer. Some will charge you up front for the tasting, others may take the cost of the tasting off the booking if you choose to use their package.
- On average, tastings can cost between £50 and £150, depending on how many dishes you are sampling, and whether it includes any drinks.
Recommendations For Experiencing a Wedding Catering Tasting
- Eat lightly before hand. Especially if you’re trying several dishes – you want to make sure you’re hungry enough to try everything.
- Take it easy. Enjoy an alcoholic drink or two if it’s included in your tasting, but don’t drink too much that you pay less attention to the food.
- Take pictures. You can use them as a reminder later. Also make notes on your phone that you can refer back to which can help when you’re making a final decision.
- Consider other aspects as well as tastes. Will guests be sitting or standing, in which case, how practical is something to eat? Will the food be served to them, or do they need to go and collect it? What is easy to carry?
- Don’t forget dietary requirements. As tempting as it is to select all the food that you like and enjoy, don’t forget to considered whether it’s suitable for vegetarians or vegans, or for any guests who may have allergies or intolerances.