The Wedding Edition

 A Q&A with Searcys Wedding Planner Amy Hyde

What is trending in wedding menus?

With a proud heritage in event hospitality dating back to 1847, for us at Searcys, the ongoing focus is modern yet signature British dishes, which take the focus. There has been more of a drive towards quality and sustainably sourced produce; there is no going wrong when you’re using the best ingredients for fresh, simple dishes, presented beautifully. Our menus also offer a great range of choice and can be catered easily to dietary requirements. Some of our perennial favourites include our own Smoked Salmon and seasonal highlights like Crab with candied fennel and apple. As weddings boom this year, we are also seeing more requests for specific cuisines such as Caribbean and Japanese.

Unusual food trends for 2021

In light of the past year, catering is steering away from buffets for now and moving towards seated and plated food for a reception for the foreseeable future. Touch-free catering has become a trend for weddings and events – for example, ‘bento’ boxes from individual cuisines. Searcys has been implementing touch-free catering for meetings and small events over the past year and will continue to do so as a catering option moving forward.

This year also sees growth in outdoor dining on terraces and rooftops. There is a surprising amount of green spaces in the heart of London and plenty of venues that offer outdoor catering. With lots of uncertainty on numbers and sizes, outdoor wedding receptions can be a great solution (fingers crossed for good weather this summer!), and gardens can be easily adapted to fit any theme or party requirement. Searcys caters at The HAC, for example, which has 5 acres of gardens and terraces for couples to enjoy and can be adapted to match any theme – from bean bags and deck chairs to outdoor marquees and BBQs, and at 30 Euston Square.

Plant-based menus:

Plant-based menus are booming! As with restaurants, there is a bigger appetite for meat-free dishes and catering, allowing companies such as Searcys to become more inventive in their menus to deliver the same quality and tasty food to match any taste or dietary requirement. We have also noticed a desire for healthier menus, with couples wanting to make conscious swaps in menu items for lighter and healthier alternatives.

Advice for couples having intimate weddings – how should they choose their wedding breakfast? 

There is something beautiful and intimate about a micro wedding, and it offers each couple the chance to plan every detail and share their special day with their loved ones. With fewer guests, there is less stress and pressure on the wedding couple to keep everyone happy, which allows them to personalise their meal on a granular level and actually really enjoy their special day. Don’t forget about your virtual friends too; Searcys venues all offer AV to get everyone to join the toast to the happy couple.

Will couples still go for canapés, starters, main course and dessert?

Couples still tend to go for tradition, though dessert can be an excellent opportunity to play around. Dessert tables or food stations for the end of the meal get people socialising and interacting, which is something we think will continue once restrictions allow.

Do you think things will be more formal or more laid-back as we move forward?

Weddings will become more bespoke – there is a lot of demand and many couples whose plans have been on hold for a long time, so they know exactly what they are looking for. From our side, this will include a wider variety of options on menus – from dietary to cuisines and styles (touch-free, sit-down meal), as well as flexible event spaces which can adapt to various party sizes.

Also, we predict a desire for more experience-led venues and packages for a unique day. This can range from themed weddings or inventive venue options, such as a wedding in the sky at Searcys at The Gherkin, to statement features, for example, Champagne poured from magnums or a Champagne Fountain for that shareable moment.

We are now taking enquiries for weddings of all sizes – from intimate wedding parties for up to 30 guests, to larger celebrations for 2021 and 2022.

Searcys is pleased to offer all those who have their wedding in one of our iconic venues by the end of December 2021 a choice of:

A case of Searcys cuvée Brut or Rose Champagne. The Brut white is an elegant and fruity pour, encompassing peach and plum aroma with notes of citrus, while the rosé has notes of red berries and summer fruits.*

OR

A magnificent tiered wedding cake for up to 100 guests, compliments of one of the UK’s best-loved artisan bakers Lily Vanilli. Choose from an elegant two-tiered cake with gold splatters and fresh seasonal flowers, a rich chocolate number, or a classic showstopper.

Searcys participating venues are 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, 30 Euston Square, Searcys at the Gherkin, The HAC,  St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar and The View at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (from August 2021).

*Minimum wedding catering spend of £8,000 plus VAT applies. A wedding should be confirmed and take place by the end of December 2021. Participating venues only.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY →