My then-fiancé and I were sick of attending weddings at top-rated spaces where we ate rubbery fish and dry steaks. So we sought a farm-to-table menu.
But if there is not a farm on site, go for a spot with a restaurant. “A great venue will not only have a full kitchen staff, but they will also have an in-house restaurant where couples can come and dine prior to booking their reception,” Smith advised.
If there is not a restaurant or in-house caterer, find out if the venue works with exclusive caterers (and if you like their food) or if you can bring in your own. Ask your friends who have been to weddings at those spaces (this is what I did).
Another element to consider: will certain guests need special meals? If so, will the venue’s caterer either provide them or let you bring in a chef who does? “For instance if the couple is glatt kosher (Jewish), Indian, or Islamic, make sure the venue has a separate kitchen for such caterers,” Smith noted.
His other tip is to ask if your venue has a backup generator. “That’s super important; it’s against the law to cook foods with no hood vents working in the kitchen,” he said. “It’s not uncommon, particularly during a hot Summer or windy Winter wedding, to lose power.”
