Leftover Wedding Food: What's Next?

No one wants to run out of food at their wedding, but what happens to the leftovers? Well, the good news is that with careful planning, your wedding meal doesn't need to go to waste. If you have a buffet, it's likely there will be leftovers, but there are ways to minimise waste. For example, you could ask your servers to ensure guests get seconds, or set up the delivery of leftovers to those in need as part of your wedding planning. You could also ask your caterer to package up the food so that guests can take it home with them, or you could take it to your hotel for an after-party. If you want to donate the food, it's important to check with your caterer and the relevant organisations ahead of time to ensure that they can accept it.

Donate to a shelter or food bank

Donating leftover food from a wedding to a shelter or food bank is a thoughtful way to give back to the community and ensure that less fortunate individuals have access to a nice meal. However, it's important to be mindful of food safety regulations and liability issues when considering this option. Here are some detailed instructions and suggestions to help you navigate the process:

Plan Ahead:

Involve your wedding planner or a trusted friend to coordinate the donation as part of your wedding planning process. Identify nearby shelters or food banks that accept perishable food donations. Most homeless shelters and food banks only accept new and pre-packaged food items due to food safety concerns. However, some shelters may be willing to accept untouched leftovers from parties or events, provided they are properly packaged and stored.

Conduct Online Research:

Use online resources to find organizations that align with your charitable goals. Websites like Feeding America, Food Pantries, Great Nonprofits, and Homeless Shelters Directory provide lists of food banks and homeless shelters by state or zip code. Additionally, check your local laws and regulations regarding food donations to ensure compliance.

Contact the Organization:

Once you've identified potential donation recipients, call them to inquire about their donation policies and procedures. Specifically, address the issue of liability and ensure that they have measures in place to assume responsibility for food safety. Ask about any contracts or waivers they may require you or your venue to sign, releasing you from liability.

Communicate with Your Venue and Caterer:

Discuss your donation plans with your wedding venue and caterer. They may have restrictions on removing food from the premises or specific requirements for packaging and storing leftovers. Some caterers may even have their own donation plans in place, so it's worth asking about their policies.

Alternative Options:

If you encounter challenges with donating to a shelter or food bank, consider other options for your leftover food. You can offer it to the staff working at your wedding, including bartenders, servers, and other vendors. They will surely appreciate a delicious meal as a token of your appreciation. Alternatively, reach out to your local fire station, EMT volunteers, or animal shelters with overnight volunteers, as they often welcome food donations.

By following these steps and staying organized, you can ensure that your leftover wedding food goes to those in need, making a positive impact on your community and reducing food waste.

Reheat and serve a midnight buffet

If you're looking to reheat and serve a midnight buffet with your wedding leftovers, it's important to keep food safety in mind. While it may be disappointing to see leftover food go to waste, it's crucial to ensure that all food is maintained and served at the proper temperature to prevent foodborne illnesses. Here are some tips to help you reheat and serve a delicious midnight buffet:

• Plan Ahead: Discuss your plans for a midnight buffet with your caterer in advance. They can guide you on the best practices for keeping food warm and safe to eat.
• Keep Food Warm: Use chafing dishes or other suitable equipment to maintain the temperature of the food. This is especially important for dishes like salmon and broccoli, which can dry out if not kept moist.
• Monitor Food Handling: To minimize the risk of contamination, ensure that guests use utensils when serving themselves from the buffet. Provide hand sanitizing stations near the buffet area to encourage proper hygiene.
• Announce the Midnight Buffet: Let your guests know about the midnight buffet option. They may appreciate having a second helping of their favorite dishes or discovering new options while they dance and enjoy the evening.
• Offer Takeout Containers: Provide takeout containers for guests who prefer to take their leftovers with them. This reduces waste and gives your guests a tasty memento of your wedding.
• Combine with Other Options: Consider combining the midnight buffet with other ideas, such as donating leftovers to a local food bank or shelter, or providing a special meal for your vendors and their staff. This way, you can spread the joy of your wedding beyond your guest list.

Remember, when it comes to food safety, it's always better to be cautious. By following these tips, you can create a delightful midnight buffet while ensuring the well-being of your guests.

Give guests takeout containers

If you're worried about food going to waste at your wedding, you can request to-go boxes in advance from your caterer. At the end of the event, your wedding planner or servers should be able to easily divvy up the leftover food for guests and family to take with them on the way out. This is good news for friends and family who are hosting out-of-town guests, as they can stock up their fridges and not have to worry about cooking or shopping for a while.

However, it's important to note that some people may consider it tacky to take leftovers home from a catered event, like a wedding. Banquet halls and catering businesses may also have policies about preventing guests from taking food home due to food safety concerns or liability issues. For example, in the US, carry-out licenses are typically not granted to caterers, so caterers cannot give leftovers to guests by law.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that some guests may take advantage of the to-go containers and fill them with excessive amounts of food, as seen in an example of a guest at a wedding in Pennsylvania who filled seven Tupperware containers with food from the reception buffet.

To avoid any potential issues, it's recommended to communicate with your caterer ahead of time and plan for leftovers. Depending on the venue and catering company, there may be limitations on what they can do, such as a lack of refrigeration to store food safely.

Freeze leftover food

Freezing leftover food is a great way to preserve your wedding feast and enjoy it at a later date. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure your food stays fresh and tasty:

Freezing Leftovers:

Firstly, it's important to note that not all foods freeze well. Heartier cakes, such as chocolate, carrot, hazelnut, and almond, are more likely to maintain their texture and taste when frozen. Delicate cakes, like angel food cake, may become stale. Similarly, certain fillings, such as custard or fresh fruit, may not withstand freezing for extended periods.

If you're freezing a cake, it's recommended to pre-freeze it. Place the cake in the freezer, uncovered, until the icing hardens. This will prevent the icing from sticking to the wrapping material. If your cake has sugar flowers or other decorations, remove them before freezing to avoid any interference with the freezing process.

Once the icing is hardened, remove the cake from the freezer and loosely wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. Do not use aluminum foil, as it can cause freezer burn. If you're storing the cake in a box, wrap the box itself in plastic wrap as well, or place the wrapped cake in an airtight container.

Thawing and Serving:

When your anniversary or special occasion arrives, take the cake out of the freezer and remove the wrapping. Allow the cake to thaw slowly in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Then, bring the cake to room temperature for 2 to 3 hours before serving.

While freezing leftover food can alter its taste and texture, it's a practical way to preserve your wedding cake for a future celebration. If you're concerned about the quality of your frozen cake, consider ordering a replica from your bakery for a fresh and delicious anniversary treat.

In addition to cake, you can also freeze other leftover foods, such as hors d'oeuvres, side dishes, and snacks. Just ensure that they are properly wrapped and stored to maintain freshness and avoid freezer burn.

Give to the wedding band/servers

If you want to give leftover food to the wedding band and servers, it's best to plan ahead. Katherine Frost, a wedding planner and owner of a Frosted Affair, advises that "the trick to getting leftover food to people who can use it is to set up the delivery of the leftovers as part of the wedding planning. It can't be an afterthought."

You could ask your servers to wrap up extra food, such as cake, and put it in bags with thank-you notes for the band and servers. This is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work.

If you want to give them food to take home, it's a good idea to request to-go boxes in advance from your caterer. Your servers should then be able to divvy up the leftover food for the band and servers to take with them at the end of the event.

If your venue has a refrigerator, you could also ask your servers to put the food in there, so the band and servers can help themselves throughout the night.

If you're having a buffet, make sure you work with an experienced caterer who has a professional service staff. They should constantly monitor the platters to ensure they are never empty, and offer seconds to your guests. This will ensure that you have as little food left over as possible.

Frequently asked questions