Food Choices On Wedding Invites: A Tasty Guide

When it comes to wedding invites, there are a few different ways to go about listing food choices. If you're having a plated dinner with a choice of entrees, it's a good idea to include the options on the RSVP card. This way, guests can indicate their preference when they respond. You can use tick boxes or ask guests to write in their choices. It's important to also include a line for any dietary restrictions or allergies. If you're serving a buffet, it's not necessary to list food choices on the invite, but you may want to mention it as a heads-up for your guests.

Whether or not to include a menu on the invite

Whether or not to include a menu on your wedding invite depends on a few factors. If you're having a plated dinner with a choice of two entrees, it's standard to include the dinner choices on the invite. This is so that guests can select their preference ahead of time, and the caterers know how much to prepare of each dish.

However, if you're having a buffet, it's not necessary to include the food choices on the invite. In this case, guests will make their food selections when they arrive at the buffet. You may want to mention on the invite that it will be a buffet-style dinner, but you don't need to list specific food options.

If you're having a set menu for everyone, with the exception of those with dietary restrictions, it's best to leave the menu off the invite. This way, guests won't have the opportunity to be fussy and request something different. Instead, you can simply ask guests to indicate any dietary requirements or allergies on their RSVP card.

If you're having a family-style meal with multiple options, it's a good idea to ask about dietary restrictions, but you may not need to ask for specific food preferences. You can include a line on the RSVP card about the style of food and mention that vegetarian options or other dietary accommodations will be available.

Ultimately, the decision to include a menu on the wedding invite depends on the style of dining you've chosen and whether or not your guests need to make food selections ahead of time.

How to list food choices for plated dinners

If you're serving a plated dinner at your wedding, you may want to give your guests a choice of two entrees. This is usually done when you need to know their preferences ahead of time for planning purposes. The simplest way to do this is to include the full menu as part of the main invitation detail. Concertina-style invitations are perfect for this, as they can hold a number of loose cards. You can then encourage your guests to reply on a separate card with their name and tick boxes for each dish they have chosen.

If you don't need to know your guests' food choices in advance, it's not necessary to list the menu on the invite. However, you should always ask guests to let you know of any dietary requirements or allergies. You can include a simple line on the RSVP card, such as "RSVP by [date] to [email/address] (please include dietary requirements)".

If you're serving a buffet-style dinner, it's not necessary to include food choices in the invitation. However, if you want to give your guests a heads-up about what to expect, you can list the available options on the directions card or another insert.

How to list food choices for buffets

If you're having a buffet at your wedding, you may be wondering whether to list the food choices on your invitations. Here's how to go about it:

It is not necessary to list food choices on your wedding invitations if you're having a buffet. The only time food choices need to be included on invitations is when you're having a plated dinner with a choice of entrees, so guests can select their preference. With a buffet, guests will choose their food when they get to the reception.

However, it is a good idea to mention on the invitation that the dinner will be a buffet style, so guests know what to expect. You could also include a line such as "please include any dietary requirements with your RSVP".

If you want to give your guests an idea of what food will be available at the buffet, you could include this information on a separate card with the invitation, or on the back of the invite. This is a good idea if you want to give guests a heads-up about what they can expect to eat, especially if they have allergies or dietary requirements.

Alternatively, you could include the food choices on a directions card or another insert with the invitation. You could also list the food options on your wedding website, if you have one, and ask guests to let you know about any dietary requirements when they RSVP.

If you don't want to give guests too much detail in advance, you could simply list the types of food that will be available, such as "meat/fish/vegetarian options".

Other Considerations

When deciding how to communicate the food choices for your wedding buffet, it's important to consider the format of your invitation. Pocketfold or concertina-style invitations are ideal if you want to include a lot of information about the buffet, as they can hold multiple cards.

It's also a good idea to think about the timing of your invitations. If you're sending them out before finalizing the menu, you may want to hold off on listing the food choices. In this case, you can just include a line about dietary requirements on the RSVP card or wedding website.

Finally, remember that you don't have to include food choices on your wedding invitations, especially if you're having a buffet. Some people prefer to keep the menu a surprise, and guests with dietary requirements can be accommodated separately.

How to ask about dietary requirements and allergies

When it comes to asking about dietary requirements and allergies on your wedding invites, here are some detailed and instructive guidelines to help you navigate this aspect effectively:

Understanding the Purpose

It is essential to recognise that asking about dietary needs is not about accommodating preferences but rather identifying restrictions and allergies. This distinction is crucial as it helps you plan appropriately and ensure the safety and comfort of your guests.

Timing and Wording

The timing of your invitation can impact how you approach dietary requirements. If you are sending invitations early, you may not have finalised your menu yet. In this case, a simple line on the RSVP card or invitation asking guests to inform you about any dietary restrictions or allergies is sufficient. For example, "RSVP by [date] to [contact details] (please include dietary requirements)." This approach allows guests to communicate any specific needs without committing to particular menu choices.

Providing Menu Options

If you have already decided on your menu or are offering a plated dinner with specific choices, it is essential to include these options on the RSVP card. This way, guests can indicate their preferences and any necessary alterations due to allergies or restrictions. You can provide a line for each option and ask guests to indicate their choices, such as "Please indicate your meal choice(s) and any dietary requirements below:"

Encouraging Clear Communication

To make the process smoother, encourage guests to be as clear and detailed as possible. For instance, if a guest indicates they are vegetarian, it is helpful to know if they consume eggs and dairy, as this will influence the suitability of certain dishes. You can add a gentle reminder, such as "Please be as specific as possible about your dietary needs to help us accommodate you effectively."

Managing Complex Requirements

If you anticipate a diverse range of dietary needs or have a large guest list, consider providing a separate card or form dedicated to dietary requirements. This allows guests to provide detailed information without cluttering the RSVP card. It also makes it easier for you to organise and categorise the information.

Handling Children's Meals

Children's meals can add another layer of complexity. If you are offering specific options for children, be sure to include this information on the invitation or RSVP card. You can provide a separate response card for children's meals or include a line for parents to indicate the number of children's meals required.

Remember, the key is to be organised, flexible, and attentive to your guests' needs. By following these guidelines, you can effectively gather the necessary information to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies while planning your wedding feast!

How to include children's food choices

When it comes to including children's food choices on your wedding invites, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to note that including children's menus can be a little more complicated, and you have the option to handle their meals privately without mentioning them in the invites at all. This approach may be suitable if you have a small number of children attending or if you're offering a limited selection of child-friendly dishes that don't require customisation.

However, if you want to include children's food choices in your invites, here are some suggestions:

• Add a separate card for children's options: You can include a small extra card within the invitation that lists the kiddies' menu options. This card can also provide a separate way for parents to indicate their children's meal preferences.
• Provide a reply card: Include a dedicated reply card for children's meal choices. This card can be returned with the adult response cards or sent to a specified email address or phone number.
• Use tick boxes or check boxes: Whether it's on a separate card or the main invitation, providing tick boxes or check boxes for each dish allows guests to easily indicate their child's meal preference. Don't forget to include space for the child's name so you know who has ordered what.
• Indicate the number of children: If you're expecting a mix of children and adults, it's helpful to have a section on the response card where guests can indicate the number of children's meals they need.
• Mention any dietary restrictions: Regardless of whether you include specific menu choices, always give guests an opportunity to mention any dietary restrictions or allergies. This can be done on the response card or via a separate email or phone conversation.
• Consider the invitation style: Pocketfold or concertina-style invitations work well when including menu options, as they offer more space for additional cards and can accommodate tick boxes or check boxes for meal choices.

Remember, you only need to include children's menus in the invites that are going to families with young ones. If you're offering a set menu for everyone, with adjustments made only for dietary requirements, you may choose to keep the meal options a surprise until the day of the wedding.

Frequently asked questions