More informal gatherings might have a carvery or a good fun main course like sausage and mash, or cross your fingers, pray for a good day and plan a barbecue!
Don’t forget to include some vegetarian options and make sure you know well in advance if any of your guests have food intolerances which have to be catered for.

Most venues will have plenty of suggestions for you to choose from or, if you’re having caterers, you can ask them to create a unique menu, perhaps all based on a specific theme. Do try to sample the food before you make a final decision. Everything looks delicious when it’s described on a menu, but you want to make sure it tastes just as good when it’s on your plate.

Drinks for your guests take up a large part of your budget. It’s reasonable to assume each guest will drink one or two glasses on arrival at the reception, three or four glasses with the meal and another one for the toasts.
For reference, you will get between 10 and 12 glasses of sherry from each bottle and from six to eight glasses of wine or champagne.

Though Champagne is the traditional wedding drink, you could offer Pimms or Bucks Fizz on arrival and wine with the meal, saving the Champagne – or equally good sparkling wine – for the toasts.

Do remember to provide plenty of soft drinks for children and adults who prefer them or who may be driving. Allow between half and one litre per person.