The Best Catering Companies in Arkansas
What You Need To Know About Wedding Catering
Hello, party-planning people! If your wedding day is approaching and you’re wondering about how to feed all of your loved ones, you’ve come to the right place. Serving food at a wedding creates an atmosphere of togetherness and celebration, and lets your families mingle and get to know one another. It will fuel your post-cake dancing, ensure no guests become hangry, and it’s a big show of gratitude to everyone who came out to celebrate your union. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by choices and considerations when trying to give the very best to your loved ones while sticking to a budget! We have broken all the expectations down for you, and provided a list of catering options in Arkansas for you to consider!
Just want to see the list of the best catering companies in Arkansas? Click here!
How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost?
Last year, Arkansas wedding couples spent an average of approximately $4,500 on reception food. On top of that, bar tabs came in at about $2,200. To put that into perspective, from Fayetteville to Hot Springs, couples were dishing out about $70 per guest, and these numbers reflect a wedding of about 100 people. It might sounds like a lot, and there are most definitely ways to cut costs (more on that soon) but it’s important to remember all that goes into these numbers.
Catering Isn’t Just About Food
Drinks and Alcohol - Some venues will include drinks and a bar option in their package, but you may have to hire a separate company. Not every couple opts for an open bar- some do bottles of table wine or a limited drink option where guests can pay for more.
Servers and Staff - Don’t forget about the lovely folks who take care of the pouring, the cooking, and the cleaning! Don’t be shy about asking what the company expects as a tip for their servers, but many just have a jar laid out for your guests to do the tipping!
Linens, tables, chairs- Guests will need a place to sit, a table to eat on, and utensils to eat with! Some guests opt for wood-fired pizza and paper plates, or a food truck with disposable cutlery to save time and money!
Additional service fees - Reading the catering contract will be very important because service fees like travel and cake cutting can catch a couple off guard.
PRO TIP! Consider that you may have to feed some people who are not on your guest list if your wedding is more than four hours long, such as your wedding photographer and your wedding planner! They will certainly appreciate it (and it might even be in their contract!)
What Are The Different Serving Styles?
Sit-Down - Guests will enjoy a formal meal where food is served to at their tables like a resturant, typically the priciest option with the least amount of work for guests. Expect your RSVP card to have food options that guests will choose ahead of time!
Buffet - Have your guests line up and serve themselves from food stations that the company lays out for you. Typically, staff will clear the plates- This can be a more affordable option
Family Style - This option is like a combo of sit-down and buffet sytle, but instead of individual plates, the food is served on platters to be passed around the table like thanksgiving!
Cocktail - Many guests opt for a cocktail hour of drinks before the reception, but you can provide appetizers and finger foods as guests mingle and socialize.
Food Truck - A trending food option where food trucks are brought in and serve a variety of foods to guests! Just make sure the truck can handle a large wedding, or lines could get out of hand!
Note: Some may choose a combination of styles, such as having a buffet for the main meal and a cocktail style for appetizers and desserts!
When Should You Book Your Catering Company?
NOW! Just kidding…however, it is certainly advisable to book your catering company for a wedding ASAP, as catering companies get booked up quickly. This doesn’t mean you have to have everything figured out, because you’ll likely finalize details closer to the wedding date. Give yourself enough time to not feel rushed through the process.
The 9 Best Catering Companies in Arkansas
Vibrant Occasions, Benton
Address: 1305 Hot Springs Hwy., Ste. 102
Benton, Arkansas 72019
Phone: (501) 408-2111
Conifer Restaurant, Bentonville
Address: 321 SE 2nd St Suite 100, Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 203-5999
Carmelita Catering Company, Springdale
Address: 7022 W Sunset Ave #5, Springdale, AR 72762
Phone: 479-222-0953
Two Sisters Catering, Sherwood
Address: 3140 E Kiehl Ave. Sherwood, Ar 72120
Phone: 501-351-4289
Simply Divine Catering, Rogers
Address: 1200 West Walnut, Suite 1755, Rogers, AR 72758
Phone: 479-263-1343
RX Catering, Little Rock
Address: 921 W Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-221-3929
Bordinos Restaurant & Wine Bar, Fayetteville
Address: 310 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 527-6795
Catering Concepts, Lowell
Address: 903 N Bloomington St, Lowell, AR 72745
Phone: (479) 636-6003
Wicked Wood Fire Pizza Food Truck, Fayetteville
Address: 1946 N Birch Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Phone: (479) 466-8911