Picture this: The day has all gone perfectly to plan, you and your newlywed clink glasses in celebration as the guests begin to tuck in to the beautiful grazing boards when suddenly, you spot your vegetarian work bestie reaching for what she thinks is a vegan sausage roll – Oh no!
No matter how gorgeous the venue, the flowers, or the weather, nobody would look back fondly on a wedding where they were left hungry. So, what steps can you take in advance to ensure that everyone leaves with full bellies and happy memories?
Three little words
In the 18th century (as old as our Dairy Barn for reference), young English couples would flee to Gretna Green to marry without parental consent, ego, or two pennies to rub together. The lenient Scottish laws were all the lovers really needed to seal their union, and they would return home with a smile on their face and a wedding band on their finger.
As weddings have evolved over the years, they have developed into one of life’s most anticipated celebrations. Even with more traditional, modern weddings, there are so many additional factors to consider today other than ‘Who do I want to spend the rest of my life With? ’
Now, we still believe that the big day is first and foremost for the couple celebrating their unionship – but let’s be honest, we know as well as you do that in order to relax and enjoy you want your guests to consider it a night to remember for all the right reasons.
At Coton House Farm we believe glowing guest reviews rely on three key components: Location, Entertainment, and Food.
Food for thought
Your guests have been carefully chosen for a reason. These are your favourite people who mean a lot to you and your partner, and with that comes a knowledge of who they are and what they are all about. However, dietary needs and preferences aren’t always openly discussed, and your guests could have unspoken allergies or intolerances that you will need to cater for, to ensure everyone is fuelled for the dance floor and ready for the long night ahead.
We believe communication is the key here, and in the best-case scenario you will be able to request dietary information RSVPs on your wedding invitations. If you are using a wedding website, then great! You can notify guests that they will need to contact you regarding their dietary requirements well in advance. We recommend you also aim to have a selection of alternatives available for last minute plus-ones or part-time vegetarians. For more recommendations, visit our Food and Drink FAQ’s page.
Samantha & Samie – “The food is the best wedding food we’ve ever had.”
Perhaps you don’t know where to begin with the seemingly endless dietary needs of your celebrants? Fear not – at Coton House Farm we have two exquisite packages available which both include use of a personal Food Coordinator to help you choose your menu, ensure there are enough alcohol-free refreshments behind the bar, and give you time to focus your energy on enjoying the pre-wedding celebrations.
A Helpful Guide to Dietary Restrictions
Vegan – No animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey)
Vegetarian – No meat or fish; may include dairy and eggs
Gluten-Free – No gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats unless certified gluten-free) Suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity
Lactose-Free – No lactose-containing dairy products. Suitable for those with lactose intolerance
Nut-Free – No nuts (tree nuts, peanuts) Suitable for those with nut allergies
There are many other foods that your guests may need to avoid, including but not limited to Dairy, Egg, Soy, Sugar.
Some foods may even need to be avoided due to religious reasons, so be certain to request this information before you make any menu decisions with your wedding caterer.
Communicating with Your Caterer
We work with two incredible catering services, who will be happy to tailor their delicious menus to suit any specific requirements. You have the option to choose between Jenkinson’s, traditional and fine-dining providers specialising in silver service, or Dove Delights, who offer grazing boards, pizzas, street food or sandwiches and more.
You will have the opportunity to taste and choose your preferred food, either at our venue’s tasting evenings or with a tasting package box, depending on your supplier. This is your opportunity to communicate any dietary requirements and place orders for specific menu requests. Your caterer’s are the ones to communicate with as they will be in charge of all of your wedding food for the big day.
Something old something new
One of the popular catering choices at our venue is the Pizza Oven, which is included in our Twilight Package. We understand that three-course meals aren’t to everyone’s taste, and you might want to swap the often-complex range of produce for this classic favourite. With different bases, sauces, and toppings to suit all, the pizza oven is a great choice to keep things simple and safe for everyone involved, to assist with dietary restrictions.
With the ability to pre-order your drinks before the day, you can ensure that your party is kept hydrated, hangover-free, or happily encouraged to have a good time with their favourite tipple from our selection of locally sourced beer, ale, and well-known spirits. Did we mention that food and drink are included in our Twilight Package for your first 50 guests? Make sure you check out our packages for more information on this *Terms & Conditions apply*
At Coton House Farm, we are proud to share our knowledge of fresh, local produce, and to offer the best possible service for you and yours. From fine dining to doughnut walls, we have something for even the pickiest of palates and ensure to support you every step of the way in making the correct decisions for an unforgettable day.
With love,
The Team at Coton House Farm x
