DIY Weddings Podcast #002: Catering Tips For Weddings

Chef Olivia Brodock Gives Helpful Hints For Reception

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The Three Earred Rabbit Restaurant in Trussville, Alabama struck gold when they found Chef Olivia Brodock. Olivia has followed her family in their footsteps and taken on the catering industry. Now, taking responsibility for all of the catering events for The Three Earred Rabbit, Olivia is earning her title as a Chef.

Chef Olivia Brodock

During our podcast interview, one of the first things Chef Olivia pointed out was that one of the most important things a Bride can do is remember to just enjoy her special day.  Don’t plan for a Pinterest Perfect Wedding. There are soooo many details that a Bride can get caught up in, but it’s most important that she remember this is a special day and she should enjoy it and not overshadow such a special day with checking off lists.

Sassy Tip #1:

Make sure you get servers to work your reception. Servers that have worked with food in the past is best. It’s really important, if you are having a buffet, to make sure that you have servers to fill the plates of your guests. This will ensure that your guests don’t overload their plates and then you run out of food before all of your guests have gone through the buffet line. One of the worst things that can happen at a wedding reception is to run out of food….so hiring servers will help with this potential issue.

Sassy Tip #2: 

Never ask your guests to help clean up your reception area. Once again, hiring servers will make this a very special occasion.

Sassy Tip #3:

Check with your venue to ensure that they will allow you to bring in your own food. Some venues have a list of “preferred vendors” and they will only allow these pre-approved vendors to work your event. Some locations have a list of requirements, including certain insurance requirements, before a vendor will be allowed to work at the location.

Sassy Tip #4: 

Find out from your venue how many hours in advance  you are allowed to set up your kitchen. Also, how many hours are you given to break down the event. And, what are your clean up expectations.

Sassy Tip #5:

Check with a Caterer and see if you can hire them for consulting you on catering your own wedding. They can give you some really great tips on how to avoid issues.

Sassy Tip #6:

Plan out the layout of your buffet line. You want to put the vegetables and starches at the front of the buffet line. Have your more expensive foods at the end of the line. This helps in keeping people from piling up the expensive food at the beginning of the food line. Of course, you want your guests to have all of the food they want, but they can always go back.

Sassy Tip #7:

You can save money by renting a fake wedding cake. Yep, that’s what Olivia say…..a FAKE Wedding Cake! Use the rented fake cake for the display and pictures (you can still have the top layer real so the bride and groom can cut their cake), then the fake cake can be rolled to the back of the house and the guests can be served sheet cake…which is much more affordable than the traditional wedding cake. The fake cakes can be made from styrofoam and then decorated with drywall putty. And, then the finishing touches can be done with fresh flowers to decorate and have a cake decorator pipe icing onto the fake cake. Tried and True Expert Advice!!!

To get more information from Chef Olivia, you can contact her at: rabbitcatering@gmail.com

Their website is: TheThreeEarredRabbit.com

Facebook: hpps://www.Facebook.com/3ears

Their Restaurant is located at: 209 main Street, Suite 101, Trussville, AL 35173

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