Should You Have a Kid's Menu at Your Reception?
Once you begin planning your wedding, you will soon realize one of your biggest decisions will be the type of food at the reception. While you may want a menu that will appeal to adult palates, you should also consider a menu that will be good for kids if you are having them at your reception. One of the easiest ways to prevent food from being wasted and kids from being hungry is to have a separate kids' menu. Here are some things to consider when making this decision.
How Much Will It Cost?
An additional menu is going to come with additional expense for planning and implementation. Caterers will charge per person no matter the age. While the extra kids' menu will come at an additional price, the per-head expense for this menu may be less expensive because the food will not be as costly. The cost of a steak meal is going to be considerably less expensive than fried chicken tenderloin and macaroni and cheese. This may result in your paying less per person overall.
How Many Kids Will Be at the Reception?
You will also need to have an accurate head count when it comes to children. Some parents may opt to not bring their child, particularly to a wedding in the evening. Be sure you are very specific on your RSVP card with a separate section for how many children. This way, you will know exactly how much food you will need. If you do not have many children coming, you may want to add a few child-friendly options to your regular meal rather than have an entire kids' menu included.
How Will the Meal Be Served?
Another thing to consider when deciding whether you need a kids' menu is how you plan to serve your food. For instance, are you planning a seated meal or a buffet? If you are having a seated menu, then a kids' menu for your younger guests will be beneficial. However, you have more control over what will be on a buffet, and this is ideal for feeding children. You typically are allowed to choose which items you want on your buffet, so you could choose a few things that children will enjoy while filling the rest of the table with adult fare. In this instance, a kids' menu would not be necessary.
Wedding receptions are fun for both the happy couple and their guests. Keep an open mind when planning your menu, and you will surely have a memorable day! Talk to a banquet hall in your area for more ideas.