The importance of attending a wedding food tasting at your venue

Let’s be honest: food tastings at many wedding venues in Kent can be something of a disappointment. Some couples don’t get a tasting at all, and those who do often find themselves sampling a general menu, not the actual dishes they’ve chosen. It’s a bit like trying on a wedding dress in the wrong style and size and being told to just imagine the real thing!

There’s a big difference between imagining your wedding meal and tasting it for yourself, prepared exactly as it will be on the day. After all, most couples wouldn’t book their wedding venue without viewing it in person. Here’s why this step is so important:

Gives you confidence with every bite

With a wedding food tasting, you’re not just sampling something similar; you’re tasting your real menu items. This removes the guesswork and gives you total confidence in what your guests will experience on the day.

A true test of quality & consistency

Recreating specific dishes for multiple couples at scale is no easy feat, but a good kitchen team will manage this easily. Your wedding food tasting is a real test-run, not just a showcase, and that takes incredible attention to detail and skill from the kitchen team.

Opportunity to fine tune the details

Your tasting gives you the opportunity to collaborate with the chef and make any adjustments. Whether you wish to tweak the seasoning, switch a garnish, or alter the presentation, your feedback will shape the final dishes served on your special day. 

A key milestone in your planning journey

There’s something magical about sitting down to sample your menu in your future venue. For many couples, the tasting is one of their favourite memories during the lead-up to the wedding day, providing a chance to pause and soak up the excitement of what’s to come.

At Solton Manor, we believe that food is a key part of the wedding celebration. That’s why we’ve partnered with our local wedding caterers, Invicta Food Design, to create a tasting experience that’s as distinctive as your day. As part of your booking, you’ll be invited to attend a group tasting hosted right here at Solton Manor. This occasion is ideal for soaking up the atmosphere and getting to know the team behind your feast.

For couples who have selected a traditional three-course wedding breakfast, the tasting includes the actual dishes you’ve chosen. There’s no generic samples or guesswork needed – just your real menu, beautifully prepared as it will be when your guests sit down to eat on the day. 

Wondering when to do the food tasting for your wedding? We typically host our tastings around six months before your special day. The tasting takes place once you’ve made your initial menu selections, but still gives you time to make adjustments if needed.

What’s included in our wedding food tasting?

Your wedding food tasting will take place in our delightful Dutch Barn, giving you the chance to experience your menu in the very same setting where you’ll celebrate with loved ones. Couples can:

Meet the team behind the menu

Your tasting isn’t just about flavours, it’s your chance to experience the service. During the session, you’ll meet key members of the catering team, giving you a sense of the professionalism and attention to detail they’ll bring to your wedding day. In addition, you can ask those all-important questions about the menu and discuss any personal preferences or tweaks needed. It’s as much about how the food is served as how it tastes.

Visualise your tablescapes

A tasting is the perfect opportunity to start imagining how your table will look and feel. As each course is presented, you’ll begin to consider how your flowers, linens, candles, and glassware might complement the food. It’s a chance to bring together the visual and the culinary, helping you craft a truly cohesive dining experience.

Sip & savour

Alongside the food, you’ll be invited to taste a curated selection of wines, carefully chosen to complement each course. It’s also an opportunity to explore upgrades to your wine list if you wish to elevate your offering. At our most recent tasting, we were privileged to welcome our friends at Barnsole Vineyard, who were on hand to introduce couples to their locally grown wines and add a touch of Kentish character to the experience. 

It’s important to note that BBQs and hog roasts aren’t included in our regular group tastings due to the nature of their preparation. However, couples choosing these menus still receive full support from Invicta Food Design to plan and visualise their dishes in detail.

We recommend coming prepared with a list of questions to help you get the most from your tasting. Here are some of the most useful questions to ask at your wedding food tasting:

• Can we adjust the seasoning, portion size, or presentation?
• Are the ingredients locally sourced or seasonal?
• Can you cater for dietary requirements or allergies?
• What are the vegetarian/vegan alternatives?
• How will the dishes be served on the day? 
• Can you suggest wine or drinks pairings to match our menu?
• What timings do you recommend for our wedding breakfast?

If you’re hosting your wedding at Solton Manor, you can find our answers to these questions and view examples of sample menus via our dedicated food and drink page.

Image credits

James Grist Photography