What is included in your drinks service?

If you need Orchard to do your drinks service we can happily do this for you.  This will cover the preparation and service of your post ceremony reception drinks, your table wine, water for the wedding breakfast and also your toast drink.  You would provide all the drink and we will provide the glassware for this. 

Glassware as standard is based on 4 x glasses per guest. (Flute or Tumbler for reception/ Wine Glass for the tables / Water Glass for the tables / Flute for toast drink)

We also ensure all bottles and rubbish associated with these drinks are removed and recycled. 

This drinks service will end after the wedding breakfast. 

We will confirm all things drink on your final phone call before your wedding/event but please ensure you check any drinks rules with your chosen venue.

How many glasses of prosecco can you get out of a bottle?

To Help with quantities we tend to allow 6 glasses per bottle.  (We can make this stretch a little further if needed)

What happens during the drinks reception?

Once we have displayed and served your reception drinks, we will then go ahead and top up everyone's glasses and replenish any empty bottles if required. (If you have provided enough for us to do so). We will always go from your guidance with how many bottles you wish to be served at each part of the day.

There is a hire charge on my quotation...What is included?

The hire includes the cost of White China, stainless steel cutlery and anything else required to eat and serve your wedding food.  This is inclusive of serving items and also salt and pepper for your tables. 

Is linen included?

We include on quotes an approximate itemised breakdown of white table linen we think you will need.  This is finalised when we have your final table plan and requirements so you are only paying for linen you require. 

We can source long trestle linen or round table linen.  

Is there other options avaliable?

We do not have stock of our own table linen and we hire this in for your day.  Our hire company has lots of different colour options.  We can happily send samples of any colours you may be interested in. 

You can also provide your own table linen and we can remove this from the quotation. 

We at Orchard also have a small selection of additional hire items avaliable to hire direct from us.  This includes cheesecloth table runners, gold beaded charger plates, cylinder vases, stone plates and black candle sticks.  If you would like anymore information on any of these items please let us know. 

Can we alter menus?

Yes, Yes, Yes!

Our menus are purely suggestions and we pride ourselves on our flexibility. You can change items or send us ideas for bespoke ideas you have.  If we can do your bespoke ideas at the same price as our menu we will... if we cant we will quote for the bespoke options. 

Can we have options per courses?

Absolutely.  We can offer choices per course and we need a final pre order 3 weeks before your wedding. 

(Please give your guests an earlier RSVP deadline than this one)

Do we have to have all courses?

No.. We are not a caterer with a minimum spend or a minimum amount of courses.  We will work with your ideas and budget to ensure the best wedding menu.  

How do we choose our menu?

Once booked we will get you booked onto an Orchard tasting day.  This is where you will get to try canapes, main course, and dessert.  We do not give you a set menu for this and we ask you to try the options you are swaying towards. 

We do not offer starters at the tasting however these are on display to get an idea or presentation and size. 

Our tastings are held at the beginning and end of each year as we cannot fit them in during peak wedding season. 

They are held at some of our beautiful venues and as soon as we have a date for these we will get a tasting 'Save the Date' sent to booked couples. 

The tasting is limited to couples only as we have to ensure space for all our couples to attend. 

Can we come to a tasting if not booked?

We understand committing to a caterer is a big deal without trying the food first.  If you wish to attend a tasting we do charge for these.  If you then book with us after the tasting this is deducted from a catering invoice. 

Should we feed suppliers?

We recommend feeding the suppliers that are with you all day. (Normally photographers and videographers) We tend to just do a main course for them.. unless you wish to give them more courses. 

Please note: Some suppliers have it in their contract that they must be provided with a meal so check this too. 

If you are feeding any suppliers please check their dietary requirements. 

For any evening suppliers we just advise you include them in your evening catering numbers. 

How many canapes do you recommend?

As standard we quote for 4 options per person.  However you know your guests better than anyone.  If you have big appetites you can increase this.  If you have smaller appetites (and a smaller budget) you can also decrease this too. 

How many should we cater for in the evening?

We have minimum numbers depending on the food option so as long as you are over this we say that as with canapes.. you know your guests.  Big eaters and big drinkers will need more to keep them partying with you.. We are happy to have a chat about numbers and advise best based on your menu too. 

Can you hold the date?

We automatically pencil you in for 2 months after your first enquiry.  We will hold the date for this time or earlier if if we receive another enquiry for your date. 

If we do we will always reach out to you as the first to enquiry. 

We want Orchard for our day... How do we proceed and book?

Welcome to the Orchard family!

In order to proceed we require a catering deposit to secure us for your date*. We will issue this over direct. 

Menu and numbers do not need to be determined at booking. 

We also ask for a hire charge deposit. Which is basically a damages deposit to cover the linen, glassware and hire items.  This is refunded back to you after your wedding/event if there is no loss or damage to any hire items. 

 *This is venue dependant and some venues will take payment direct for both venue and catering. 

What are you payment terms and key dates?

Once the deposit has been paid we ask for a 50% deposit of your current quote 6 months before your date. 

We then need final numbers and forms back 3 weeks before your wedding and then we will book in your final catering phone call around this time. 

We will then issue the final invoice after your call to make sure its all correct and nothing has been missed. (Normally 2 weeks before your date)

Payment terms are dependant on venue. Once booked we will list all your key dates and further instructions on forms and payments.