Attention newly engaged couples! Welcome to what will be one of the most memorable and special experiences of your life. Before you make any wedding day reception plans, read this post packed with valuable tips and answers to the most common wedding catering questions. It is common knowledge in the wedding planning industry that your choice of wedding venue and catering will likely have the most significant impact on your overall wedding day experience. We take that responsibility very seriously. A wedding caterer does far more than prepare and serve the food. Our job is to help coordinate the evening, the ambiance and help control the flow of events so the Bride and Groom can relax and enjoy this once in a lifetime event with their guests and loved ones. These are our goals for your most special day, which is what makes The Salem Convention Center culinary and catering team among the best in Salem, Oregon. Getting started is as simple as clicking here for an RFP and let us give you an overview of our wedding menu and services. Bon appétit! We recently asked our Catering Manager, Sarah Utterback, to address some of the most commonly asked questions about wedding catering options at The Salem Convention Center. Here's what she had to say... 1. What is better for a reception: sit down dinner or buffet? Sarah: Both options are wonderful depending on the timeline for your event, number of people and elegance factor you are looking for. A sit down dinner (also known as plated) is a great way to make your guests feel wined and dined. It is also a more affordable option because our kitchen is able to control the portion size on each plate. It does, however, require a little more leg work on the contact's end if they choose to offer more than one entrée option to their guests. The plated dinner requires the contact to collect their guest's preferred meal option before the event and we ask that the number of each dish is provided to the convention center no later than 5 business days prior. This gives our kitchen plenty of time to order the product and schedule staff for the event. The best advantage of a buffet is that you don't have to ask your guests for their preferred meal option with their RSVP! There are at least 2 entrée selections on each of our buffets along with salads, fruit/vegetable trays, side selections and desserts. There is something for everyone on the buffet and some even offer a carving station that can really “class” up your meal. Several contacts are fearful that a buffet is risky because it doesn't make their guests feel as if they are being served and pampered, but our buffets are beautiful and give your guests a larger selection than a plated meal. It is always my first recommendation over a plated meal! 2. What are some of the most popular dishes served at a wedding reception? Sarah: Our most popular wedding dishes are our Pork Tenderloin with Bacon Vinaigrette, Grilled Wild Salmon Filet & Filet Mignon. The most popular wedding buffet is the Northwest Buffet which includes Prime Rib, Roasted Salmon Filet and Herb Marinated Chicken Breast along with several side options (my personal favorite!) 3. Can you customize the menu to cater to different cultures and traditions? Who manages the menu? Sarah: Of course we can! Our Chef is extremely talented and well versed in several cultural meals and traditions. If you don't see exactly what you are looking for on our menu, just let us know and we will consult with our Chef to create and price out the perfect meal for you! 4. Do you recommend appetizers for reception guests? What's the best way to serve? Sarah: Socials with appetizers are a great way to entertain guests in between a wedding ceremony & reception (while the bride and groom take photographs). We can setup a station with several trays or hot/cold appetizer options served per dozen and a host or no host bar. Another popular option (a little more classy) is to request butler passed appetizers. Our servers will walk around your social space and offer small bites to guests as they wait in line for a beverage or just simply enjoy each other's company before sitting down to enjoy their meal. 5. What's a good recommendation for something fun and different at a reception? Sarah: My new favorite item on our menu is the popcorn station! We have 3 different types of popcorn, several toppings and flavored salts for guests to customize to their liking! It is a fun way to spruce up the room (the setup is adorable!) and it is the perfect treat. 6. Does the menu have vegan and gluten free options? Sarah: It most certainly does! Our new favorite vegan option is the Potato Gnocchi with Garlic, Basil, Aged Balsamic Reduction, Grape Tomatoes & Pine Nuts Served on Shaved Local Greens. Several of our menu items are gluten free or can be adjusted to gluten free, so please ask your catering manager when planning your next event and we will find the perfect gluten free option for your guests! 7. When is my guarantee due? We ask that the final guarantee is provided 5 business days prior to the event. This gives our staff time to adjust their scheduled servers and offers the kitchen time to order the products needed to create your perfect meal! Each event is unique and the Salem Convention Center service staff is here to help guide you through every detail to ensure your special day is everything you envision! For more information about our catering services please contact our catering department at 1-866-614-1900.
