When planning a party whatever it might be:
1. A wedding reception,
2. Christening or naming ceremony
3. Birthday party
4. Bar Mitzvah
5. Major Birthday
6. Or just a gathering of friends
There are a number of points that you should consider:
1. Plan ahead. Parties always take longer to organise than you initially think. This is because your ideas often change as you seek advice from friends and family. Another factor is that the venue may have restrictions on timing or on what you can serve. Most South London venues give you a set of rules to follow that are very helpful.
2. Whatever your event(christening, wedding, significant birthday or corporate) take time to meet with the venue manager to understand how to best use the space and how to work with a caterer.
3. Make an action list and ask yourself the following questions?
a. Is the occasion going to be informal or a rather more formal sit down occasion?
b. How many people will attend? Take into account school holidays and other times when people are away so as to avoid declines on your invitation. Once invitations have been sent out you can call every one and gauge their enthusiasm for the party and ability to attend.
c. What is your budget? Unless you make a clear and detailed list you will certainly be surprised when you add up all the costs. Therefore plan ahead. You can vary the cost based on the type of event.
4. Now you can get into other details
a. Will you serve canapés or perhaps a buffet?
b. Maybe a sit-down dinners which is certainly more intimate especially in the evening.
c. How about an ethnic meals, such as Thai or Moroccan themes concepts. So will it be a Thai Green Curry or a Moroccan Tagine?
d. Other concepts for parties include summer barbeques
e. Whole roast hogs or lambs.
f. Summer is also the time of cold buffets featuring whole poached salmon, Moroccan tchouchoka, babaganoush and of course European fresh salads.
g. Establish the preferences or special requirements of your guests. For example, will there be any vegetarians, or do any of your guests have any food allergies?
5. What about drinks?
a. . What variety would you like to offer? Most caterers offer a full wine and spirits section. Often the caterer will be very competitive and more convenient that an off licence. And the service is usually on a sale or return basis. Wine lists today give an international range of New World and Old. Rose wines are good choices for Summer functions.
b. Are you going to match the food and drink to the décor and entertainment?
6. How much involvement do you personally want to have, or do you want to have a caterer that can take all that pressure off you, even when it comes to passing around the canapés? The services of a professional caterer will be invaluable. Local caterers who know the South London area are often a better match and of course you will be buying local!
Will you be having a cake and who will make it for you?
7. What about equipment.
8. Do you really have enough glasses, plates and even chairs? Again your caterer can point you in the right direction or can quite simply handle all the details right down to place cards and printed menus.
9. Some of the terms out there can seem confusing so here’s a brief rundown of the type of catering you can choose:
a. Canapés / Finger buffet: offers guests bite-sized portions without the need for cutlery
b. Fork buffet: guests can help themselves or be served individual items. Requires crockery and cutlery
c. Sit down dinner: You can decide on the number of courses for your guests and the food you want to serve
Caterers located in South London in the Dulwich and Herne Hill areas have helped many satisfied clients with their special occasions.
We hope this helps you with the first steps in planning your successful party.
Mimosa are a leading outside caterer in the Herne Hill and Dulwich areas of South London. Why not visit their website at www.mimosafoods.com and let Mimosa meet your outside catering needs!
