Wedding Catering
For many, a key component of a wedding celebration is food.
Once you have set the date and picked a venue for your wedding celebration, it is time to start thinking about how you want to approach serving food on your special day.
Are you looking to spoil your guests with an exclusive, plated dinner or do you envision a cocktail reception with small dishes served?
While some venues have an in-house kitchen or catering service that you are required to use, others will let you select your preferred caterer yourself.
Wedding catering is of course centered around food and drinks, apart from the table setup, waiting staff and all ancillary arrangements.
Drinks
In some countries like the U.S., it is very common to have an open bar at a wedding.
Guests can order almost any drink they like, including long drinks, cocktails and shots.
In Germany, it is much more common for wedding venues to charge a drinks flat rate per person per hour.
The rate usually includes a selection of soft drinks, hot drinks, beer and wine.
Within each of those drink categories, they tend to offer a variety of two to four.
That would be roughly three different beers, a red and a white wine and then various (diet) sodas and water, along with coffee, cappuccino etc.
In addition, a customizable selection of cocktails and long drinks can be made available based off of a preset menu of drinks.
Wedding Food Options
Along with choosing what type of food (cuisine) you want to serve at your wedding, you will have to decide on the meal style.
Many venues serve food as a buffet-style dinner.
That is either because of their kitchen setup (not having enough room to set up so many individual plates),
personnel considerations, or simply preference.
Some other venues however, do not have a kitchen on the premises and will work with the caterer you choose.
A great list of questions to ask your caterer can be found here.
Wedding Meal Styles
Let’s start by discussing what a wedding dinner typically includes. It would start with:
- Appetizers (salad, soup,…) followed by
- Entrées (typically meat / fish and vegetarian/vegan options) and
- Dessert, along with a slice of
- Wedding cake
These courses can be served in different ways - there are commonly four wedding meal styles:
Plated Sit-down Dinner
A plated meal is the most traditional and formal option.
All guests are seated and food is served plated in two courses (appetizer and entrée)
plus dessert (unless there is a separate dessert table).
While it limits variety, it is an efficient way for everyone to eat at the same time.
Family-style dinner
An alternative is to serve food family-style.
Everyone is seated and the dishes are passed around the table in big platters and bowls.
It is a more communal dinner style but also more costly and therefore probably best suited for smaller wedding parties.
Buffet-style dinner
A buffet is a classic way of presenting a variety of food in large (heated / chilled) trays on long tables.
Every guest can pick and choose the foods they like and serve themselves at the buffet.
While you can offer a greater variety of food, there tend to be lines at the buffet and it is difficult for all guests to eat at the same time.
Cocktail-style dinner
A cocktail-style dinner is served as small bites that are passed out on trays or laid out on a table for guests to pick at.
Although it is the most affordable, modern and less stuffy way to serve food, guests might be unaccustomed to it.
Service Personnel
Along with finding a great caterer, you will want to make sure that the venue or caterer provides you with enough servers to take care of you and your guests.
If you opt for a plated, sit-down dinner, Brides.com recommend that there be about one server for every 10-15 guests.
When it comes to food stations, one server for every 25 guests should be enough.
Wedding Catering in Berlin
If you are ready to jump into the search for the right caterer for your wedding, check out the following list of select event caterers in Berlin. They are grouped by category, starting with full-service caterers.
| Business (Website) | Brief Summary* |
|---|---|
| 7 Pot | 7 Pot offers a food truck catering service for events in Munich. Many of the dishes are vegan by nature. Various chili dishes, chili bowls, salad bowls and sandwiches are on offer. |
| Bulli Bande | Bulli Bande's food truck catering offers street food with burgers, wraps, bowls and more for events from 40 to 1,000 people. In addition to the food truck, an indoor buffet and a mobile bar can also be booked. Good food and a relaxed atmosphere are guaranteed. |
| Catering Horvat | Horvat Catering offer first-class quality and a varied selection of Bavarian, Croatian, Mediterranean, rustic or elegant dishes. Drinks and equipment can also be provided. The experienced team will ensure with passion and professionalism that you can enjoy your special day without a care in the world. |
| Catering Sommerkorn | Catering & Partyservice Sommerkorn are a second-generation family-run business that offers high-quality food with tradition and passion. Their offer includes finger food, buffets, Bavarian snacks and barbecues, with meat and sausage products sourced from the company's own butcher's shop. Staff, furniture, cutlery, glasses and other accessories can also be hired out. |
| Catering Steinmaier | Catering Steinmaier's offer ranges from cold platters with cheese, ham, fish or antipasti to decorative canapés and international finger food. Complete buffets with hot dishes, salads, starters and desserts are also available. |
| Grüner Sepp | Grüner Sepp's catering offer is 100% vegetarian and vegan. Their diverse selection of dishes includes finger food, main courses, burgers, wraps and desserts. Catering can be provided in form of a buffet set-up or including a food truck at the wedding reception. |
| Landhotel Hallnberg | The Landhotel Hallnberg's catering service is available in Munich and Erding and includes a wide range of menus and buffets, including vegetarian and vegan options. Individual requests are taken into account, and in addition to food, drinks such as beer, wine and cocktails are also offered. They can also provide you with service staff, furnishings, crockery, tents and decorations. |
| Lekkerei | Lekkerei are a full-service caterer who in addition to high-quality food can provide you with friendly service staff for your wedding. Their services include wedding cakes, a candy bar and multi-course menus or family-style meals. In addition, furniture, crockery, decorations, a mobile bar, cocktails and even wedding planning can be booked for your event. |
| Martinella Catering | Martinella Catering offers customized menus or buffets with stylish presentation and professional service for your event. They take care of the entire organization down to the smallest detail. Their offer includes finger food, buffet and menu dishes, drinks and canapés. |
| Odeon Party & Catering | Odeon Party & Catering has been providing high-quality catering services for celebrations for almost 25 years. Their ingredients are purchased daily and dishes are freshly prepared to ensure great quality of the dishes. They also offer crockery, cutlery, glasses, table linen, furniture and staff for hire for your event. |
| Pia y Pablo Catering München | Pia y Pablo Catering Munich offer authentic Spanish food, including hot and cold dishes and finger food, for events. They emphasize quality, fresh ingredients and creative menus that include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. All dishes are homemade and prepared with care. |
| Sopha's Thai Gourmet | Sopha's Thai Gourmet have been the leading Thai party service in Bavaria for many years. They offer countless original Thai dishes of the highest quality and also cook directly on site. All dishes are prepared from fresh ingredients and free rental equipment can be provided as well. |
| Stöckl Partyservice | Stöckl Partyservice can put together dishes of Bavarian and (inter)national cuisine according to your wishes. They guarantee the highest quality and professional service for menus, buffets and special extras such as finger food and desserts. In addition, they can provide you with crockery, cutlery, furniture and tents for rent, and service personnel. |
| Streller Partyservice | Streller Partyservice offer a variety of culinary options such as finger food, buffets and exclusive menus prepared with fresh ingredients and regional products. They care about a beautiful presentation of the dishes and also offer a suitable selection of drinks. Event staff and furniture and crockery can also be provided. |
| Unikorn Catering & Events | Unikorn Catering & Events are a premium full-service catering partner in Munich. They offer a wide range of catering options, including finger food, buffets, as well as customized menus and comprehensive event planning. Event equipment such as crockery, glasses and cutlery, as well as service staff, bartenders and decorations can also be provided. |
*The descriptions are a brief summary of the information that is provided publicly on the website of the respective vendor/business. Status: February 2025.