After the excitement of your big day, a wedding recovery is the perfect way to wind down, reminisce, and enjoy some more time with your guests. Whether you’re planning a relaxed brunch or a casual lunch, here are our top 10 tips to help make your wedding recovery a stress-free and memorable event.
1. Pick the Right Food for Your Guests
When it comes to the food, it’s all about comfort and flavour. A fulfilling breakfast or brunch is always a hit after a night of celebrating. Consider crowd-pleasers like bacon and egg bagels, smashed avo, smoked salmon, or crispy hash browns. For drinks, freshly squeezed orange juice, hot coffee, and iced coffee are essentials. These hearty options will leave your guests satisfied and ready to tackle the day.
2. Select the Right Time for Your Recovery
The timing of your wedding recovery is crucial. You’ll want to give your guests enough time to sleep in and recover, but not so late that they miss out on the food. We suggest starting mid-morning or late brunch time, around 10 or 11 am, with a serving window of 2 to 2.5 hours. This way, your guests can arrive at their own pace and enjoy a leisurely start to the day.
3. Decide on the Style of Service
Think about how you want your food to be served. Do you want a laid-back vibe with guests ordering directly from the food truck, or would you prefer a roaming service where wait staff bring the food to them? Both options work well depending on your space and the number of guests. A roaming lunch can create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, while ordering from the truck adds a fun, interactive touch.
4. Ensure Dietary Needs Are Covered
No matter your guests’ preferences, it’s important to cater to all dietary needs. Whether it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or halal, make sure your food truck provider can offer diverse options so everyone feels included. Addressing these requirements ahead of time will help ensure a smooth experience for all.
5. Plan for the Number of Guests
Food trucks are versatile and can accommodate different group sizes, whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering of 30 guests or a larger crowd of hundreds. If your guest list is on the bigger side, consider having two food trucks with separate menus to keep things running efficiently. This ensures shorter wait times and a smoother flow.
6. Organize Parking for the Truck
Parking is essential to a successful event. Make sure the truck has a clear, flat area to park on and ensure there are no low-hanging branches or obstacles. The truck will need to arrive about an hour before the start of the recovery to set up, so ensure easy access to the event space. It’s worth checking parking logistics with the venue or property ahead of time.
7. Consider the Atmosphere
Music can set the tone for your wedding recovery, but after a night of partying, your guests will appreciate something chilled and low-key. Avoid heavy bass or loud tracks; instead, opt for relaxed, acoustic tunes or light jazz. Keep the volume at a level where people can easily chat and relax.
8. Plan for the Weather
Weather can be unpredictable, so make sure you have a backup plan. If it looks like rain might spoil your outdoor plans, consider setting up a tent or shelter to keep your guests and the food truck dry. Having a sheltered area can save the day and ensure everyone stays comfortable.
9. Provide Plenty of Refreshments
Along with your food options, offering a range of drinks is a must. Fresh juices, water, and coffee will refresh your guests, especially after a night of celebrating. If you want to keep the party vibe going, why not serve up some mimosas, beers, or cocktails? Just let your food truck provider know, and they can tailor the drinks menu to your needs.
10. Clean Up from the Night Before
Make sure the venue is clean and ready for your recovery event. The last thing you want to deal with in the morning is tidying up from the wedding itself. Confirm with the previous night’s caterer or venue staff that everything is cleared away, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the recovery with your guests.
Bonus Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Recovery
- Point of Contact: Choose someone from your bridal party or a reliable guest to be the contact for the food truck on the day. They can help with parking instructions and assist the team with setup.
- Hair of the Dog: If your guests want to keep the party going, let us know and we can offer cocktails or even set up a bar. A “hair of the dog” option can bring some extra fun to the recovery!
- Guest Transport: Consider how your guests will get to the recovery location. If many are staying overnight, you might want to hire a shuttle or bus service to transport them from the wedding venue to the recovery site.
