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Planning the Perfect Menu for Your Summer Wedding
Posted By: 
Wednesday, June 1, 2016

One of the most beautiful things about a summer wedding—besides the bride, of course—is the abundant variety of fresh ingredients for your wedding menu. But before you can stroll the farmer’s market checking out the season’s latest and greatest, you’ll need to start with some fundamental decisions in order for things to be absolutely perfect on your wedding day.

Book Early

If you’re planning a summer wedding and you haven’t chosen your caterer yet, you should prepare yourself for making a lot of phone calls. Most caterers book a minimum of six months out, but it’s not a bad idea to nail down your first choice a year from now (hear that, brides of Summer ’17?). But don’t let that stop you from contacting your first choice. Cancellations do happen and you may be one of the lucky ones to snag an opening in our schedule.

Budget

Deciding on your budget is a larger question that encompasses the whole wedding, but you should have a good idea of what percentage of your party budget you want to denote for food and drinks before you meet with caterers. There is certainly some wiggle room in any party planning but no one likes to shop for champagne when they only have enough in their pocket for beer, as the saying goes.

Similarly, you’ll want to have a guest list range to work with. That way you can adjust numbers in order to have the menu you want most.

Restrictions

You may not know 12 months before your wedding which guests may have dietary restrictions or food allergies, but if you do, now is a good time to bring it up. Otherwise, you’ll need to find out as your guests reply and notify your catering team ahead of time. There may be little they can do to accommodate gluten free friends or vegetarian aunts if they aren’t prepared before the big day.

Think Seasonal

Summer is absolutely one of the best seasons to choose a menu that offers seasonal produce. Our incredible range of menus offer plenty of opportunities to work in produce that’s in season during the summer and work beautifully for every wedding style, from formal, multi-course meals to causal buffet-style gatherings. If you and your groom have favorite summer produce that you want to showcase, just let us know and we’ll make sure it gets worked into the menu.

Consider your Guests

Of course, this is your day, and it should be everything you’ve ever dreamed. But it’s also a special day for all of your friends and family, who can’t wait to come together to celebrate your union. In order for everyone to have a memorable and enjoyable day, consider the general tastes of family and friends. If you adore a type of food that you’re pretty sure no one else in your family likes, this may not be the time to put it at center stage. Instead, include a range of foods so that everyone can find something they will love and no one will leave your wedding grumbling about an empty stomach.

When you’re ready to talk about delicious summer menus for the most important day of your life, call Raffel’s. You really can’t do better, as My Wedding has recently made official by naming Raffel’s Catering the best wedding caterer in Cincinnati.





 
 
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Testimonials

Thank you so much for your help with everything! The day turned out absolutely perfect.
Thanks for letting us come by whenever and emailing with me. Everyone had such a great time and
we have great memories from that day.
ALLI & ANTHONY Z.

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Lots of compliments on your food!
Everything was great! Thanks!

B.P.

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Thank you so much for catering our wedding! The food was delicious!
The bartender and attendant were very helpful & professional.
Everything was wonderful!
ERICK & JENNIFER B.

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Thank you so much for making
our reception so delicious!

EMILIE & DUSTIN F.

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Thanks so much for the delicious food.
Everyone loved it! Your staff is so easy and a joy to work with!

NICKI F.

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Thank you so very much for your generous donation to Matthew 25: Ministries Holiday Volunteer Luncheons. Your donation not only encourages our volunteers, but also helps more of our financial resources fo directly to the poor.  Thank you for helping those in need this holiday season!
REV. WENDELL METTEY

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We are so thankful Raffel's Catering, Inc. supported our 2012 Festival with your donation of a gift certificate for shredded beef or lasagna! We wish you and your business much prosperity.

THERESA & KATHLEEN

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The the awesome crew at Raffel's - Thank you so much for the great food & kind service.
You guys rock!

HEATHER & PHIL

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Thank you for all your help during the process of getting everything in line for our wedding. You were very helpful & professional. Thank you for making the hall look good. You guys made it such a wonderful experience for us & our guests. To top it off, the food was great!
CHELSEA & MICHAEL V.

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Thank you so much for your generous donation. Everything was delicious and enjoyed by all!
We had another successful event, in part, due to your generosity. The Athenaeum is grateful!
A huge THANK YOU!
TOM & NANCY N.

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We are so pleased to have booked you for our wedding.
Thank you for your flexibility and delicious food!

DOUG & BRITTANY W.

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