Wedding Catering Ideas

Dream Maker Catering Options

All photographs are true examples of our events. 

The Dream Maker Weddings & Events Service evolved from our charter boat business in The Abel Tasman which we have since sold to pursue and specialize in weddings and events across the top of the South Island of  New Zealand.  We manage and organize absolutely everything to do with weddings and events but one of our top management requests is catering. Over the past 9 years we have learn't allot about catering, what it involves and seen a variety of successful events and sadly a few not such good events.  The reason The Dream Maker Management service is so popular is that we work with a team of professionals in their own field and allow them to create and design what they are good at and support the team when required, as we certainly can not be all hats for all occasions ourselves. However our service compliments all three angles, the customer who wants a great event with a wow factor, the provider who wants to have clear direction and to save time on communication and the Dream Management Team who work well by covering all eventuality and making sure everything arrives on time and as it should on the day.

When we first discuss options with our customers we talk about the obvious, budget, style, theme and diet needs but what ever the answer to these questions might be we do our best to provide, fresh local produce, which is in season all of which adds, flavor, vibrant colour and tempting smells.

The Dream Maker works with a selection of tried and tested caterers within our locations. We have built an understanding of how we work together and the expectations of The Dream Maker on behalf of our customer.  These catering companies vary from a single lady working in a hired catering standard kitchen to a full on well established catering company with all their own facilities and we will make suggestions to our customers to who we recommend on each booking to suit the customer's needs and budget.

Some of our most fun and successful events pick the below examples for their catering options.  Of course in all instance we have to make sure we cater for everyone's needs and we believe that the minority are as important as the majority and make every effort to cater for all dietary needs what ever they might be.

The hardest thing with our kind of off the beaten track venue is the transportation of the catering and often the cake too. It needs to find itself on location as beautiful as it was when it left the kitchen. Keeping food cool and fresh in our climate is a big challenge but again why people chose our services is that we've been doing this for many years and have the equipment and know how to please and keep people safe.

Picnics: Picnics can cover all budgets but obviously for an event it wants to be colourful, tasty and fun but over all easy to eat.  The Dream Maker is a boutique wedding specialist with most of our customers are international visitors with small groups comprising from 2 to 20 guests; we also specials in  locations off the beaten track with Department of Conservation concessions and permits to manage events in three national parks ( The Abel Tasman, Kahurangi  & Nelson Lakes )and many more variations including Farewell spit in Golden Bay. and a picnic lends itself well to this kind of event.

Examples of picnic styles

Snap Wedding Photography

Nelson Wedding Photography

Dream Maker picnics cater for two to 100+ guests.

     

High & Cream Tea: This style lends itself wonderfully to a relaxed garden wedding or special occasion event like a Golden Wedding Anniversary The catering and all the complimentary crockery can easily be set-up by our expert team in your own private garden or your chosen venue.  The high tea offers a selection of tantalizing savories and finely cut sandwiches and a selection of cakes and sweet treats to your taste, where as a cream tea, really is all about the cream cakes but both options are delicately accompanied by specialty teas in beautiful fine tea cups and saucers with silver spoons. We can also offer a refreshing fruit punch.

Buffet Style: Buffet style has it place in some settings but I often see that those who get to go first are at the top of the pecking order with eyes bigger than their tummy where as those who go last can be disappointed in what is left and it can often be cold.  If the kitchen is right next door the temperature shouldn't be a problem but quite often our events are out in the open with make shift kitchens, so a cold buffet would be advisable with maybe a option of hot Bar BQ with cold salads.  Another popular idea which is one of The Mudcastle specialty is the French Style Buffet or may be the Old English Farm house style; where the dishes are bought to the tables for the guests to share, giving everyone equal selection.

 
 


Spit Roast: A spit Roast is quite a big under taking and the price is often in the hire costs, transportation and obviously the meat and time it takes to tend to it but if you are prepared to deal with all of that its a great and fun way to celebrate.

Sandra Johnson Photography

Other Refreshments: As weddings and events in public places like public gardens and national parks becomes popular so has the need to be more inventive when proving the bubbles and refreshments.  The Dream Maker can only organize non alcoholic bubbles and refreshments. Below are some great examples available.  We always suggest that there is plenty of water available for guests on the day at both the ceremony and reception.  We like to recommend local varieties such as Pete's Lemonade, which also promote natural ingredient for a healthier option.

                   

                                                   

Alcohol: Drinking in public locations is prohibited and The Dream Maker can not get involved unless a licensed supplying is employed. We can however pick up the alcohol the customer has purchased directly and deliver to a suitable location that has obtained any permits required. What we have been known to do at small events is combine the day with a stop at The Hop Federation or Riwaka River Wines where our couples and their guests can taste their preferred beverage and purchase it direct. This is great for a hen or bucks party idea too.  The Dream Maker have a close relationship with the two producers and communicate direct to arrange for the beverages to arrive at the location at the perfect temperature.

Catering Tableware: The Dream Maker is endorsed by the New Zealand national quality seal Qualmark  and was awarded the Enviro Bronze award for our efforts in protecting the environment. In most catering situations we try to use china crockery and stainless steel cutlery but if the location requires disposable we have carefully secured a high grade biodegradable alternative.  We also have biodegradable Balloons, so no more fear of harming wild life.

If you would like further advise please feel free to contact us either by completing our request form of giving us a call 0275268771 events@thedreammaker.co.nz

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