Wedding guests always remember the ceremony, the reception, and the food and drinks they enjoyed. One of the ways to infuse love, care, and hospitality into your wedding is by creating an unforgettable catering experience. Food truck catering can be an excellent choice to add a unique twist to your wedding day. Not only do food trucks bring a fun and casual vibe to your event, but they also offer a wide variety of food options to please every taste. Here’s everything you need to know about incorporating food trucks into your wedding celebration.
In this article:
What Is Food Truck Catering?
Food truck catering involves hiring one or more food trucks to provide food and drinks at your wedding instead of opting for the traditional seated dinner. These mobile kitchens can serve everything from gourmet meals and street food favorites to desserts and specialty beverages. “Food trucks bring a fun, interactive dining experience. Guests can enjoy a variety of delicious dishes right on the spot. It’s like having a mini food festival at your wedding, with endless options to suit everyone’s taste,” says the planning team at Weddings Down Under.
Food Truck Wedding Cost
The cost of food truck wedding catering can vary widely depending on the type of cuisine, the number of trucks, and the number of guests. On average, you can expect to pay between $10 to $25 per person, making it a more cost-effective option than traditional catering services, which typically range from $40 to $150 per person. However, it’s important to understand that a quote from a food truck may not cover all expenses. Beyond the food itself, there are other potential costs to consider.
“Some food trucks may charge a travel fee if your venue is outside their usual service area. You might also need to budget for permits or insurance, especially if your venue requires specific documentation. Setting up a comfortable dining area with tables, chairs, additional decor, and possibly beverage service can also add to the overall expense,” says Rainbow Chan of Rainbow Chan Weddings.
While the initial cost of food truck wedding catering might seem appealing, it’s essential to account for all variables to avoid surprises. Discuss all costs upfront, including any travel fees or additional staff and service time charges. Some trucks may also have minimum fees or require a deposit.
Pros and Cons of Food Truck Catering
Pros
The presence of food trucks creates a unique experience and a fun, laid-back atmosphere, adding an interactive element to your wedding. Guests can move around, mingle, and savor the food while communicating. Hiring a food truck for your wedding is also a great way to showcase your favorite foods or incorporate local cuisine to enhance your guests’ experience. “Plus, food trucks can be quite flexible with their setup, fitting into both indoor venues and outdoor spaces,” shares the Weddings Down Under team.
Cons
Weather conditions can affect outdoor food truck setups. Discuss a backup plan with your food truck vendor in case of bad weather.
“Depending on the number of guests and food trucks, there can be long wait times for food. It can be mitigated by hiring additional trucks, scheduling staggered serving times, or limiting the menu to a few options, but it requires careful planning,” says the planner Rainbow Chan.
Food trucks require sufficient space for parking and serving, which may be a challenge at some venues. Ensure a chosen space is large enough to accommodate the truck but not too far from your guests’ tables.
“While food trucks handle the food, you’ll still need to arrange for other services like bar service, seating, tables, tableware, and clean-up. These additional rentals and staff can add to the overall cost and logistics, so think carefully about whether this works for you,” advices Rebecca Glen of The Wedding Fairy. “You might also need special permits or licenses for food trucks at your event. It depends on your location. It could involve additional paperwork and coordination with the local municipality,” she adds.
Food Truck Wedding Ideas
There are plenty of options and inspiration when it comes to food truck wedding ideas. Here are some creative concepts to make the most of food truck catering at your wedding:
Themed Trucks
Select food trucks that align with your wedding theme or personal preferences, such as tacos, BBQ, salad bars, sushi, or burgers. If your favorite local truck can travel to your wedding destination, it could add a coolpersonal touch to your celebration.
Dessert Trucks
Add a dessert truck offering treats like ice cream, gelato, cupcakes, crepes, or churros for a sweet ending to your meal. For a vintage-inspired event, opt for retro-style trucks, which are especially charming for serving ice cream.
TIP: Use the food trucks to offer unique guest favors. For example, a dessert or bakery truck can offer mini boxes of cookies or pastries for guests to take home. — Rainbow Chan Weddings
Beverage Trucks
Given their limited space, beverage trucks are perfect for serving craft beer, refreshing cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, or kid-friendly beverages.
Late-Night Snacks
Surprise your guests with a late-night food truck serving comfort foods like fries, sliders, or pizza to keep the party going.
TIP: Adding live music or entertainment near the food trucks can enhance the festive atmosphere. — Weddings Down Under.
What to Avoid and How to Avoid it
Long Lines
As mentioned above, you should avoid long lines by hiring multiple trucks, staggered service times, limiting the menu, or offering pre-order options to speed up service.
Limited Menu Choices
To keep everyone satisfied, make sure in advance that there are options for guests with dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, allergen-free, and gluten-free choices.
Insufficient Power Supply
“Food trucks typically require a reliable power source to operate their equipment. A lack of power can disrupt food preparation. Verify with your venue that adequate power sources are available for the food trucks. If necessary, rent generators to ensure a steady power supply throughout the event,” recommends Rebecca Glen, the lead planner and founder of The Wedding Fairy.
Lack of Coordination and Communication
“Poor coordination and communication with food truck wedding vendors can lead to misunderstandings and service issues. To avoid this, have detailed contracts with each vendor outlining service times, menu options, setup requirements, and payment terms,” Rebecca goes.
Limited Seating
“While food trucks encourage mingling, couples need to arrange enough seating options, such as picnic tables or lounge areas, to ensure everyone is comfortable,” says Rainbow Chan, the planner. Provide additional amenities such as portable restrooms, trash bins, and handwashing stations.
How Many Guests Is This Suitable For?
One or two trucks might suffice for a small wedding with 50 guests, whereas three or more trucks might be required for a larger wedding with 150 guests to ensure everyone is served promptly and has a variety of options,” says Rainbow Chan of Rainbow Chan Weddings.
Food Truck Catering Companies to Recommend
When choosing food truck wedding vendors, consider those with experience catering large events and weddings. Look for companies with good reviews and a reputation for reliable service. Ask for recommendations from your venue, wedding planner, or recently married friends. Here are some suggested vendors from planners around the world:
From Weddings Down Under (Australia & New Zealand)
Taco Loco: Mexican cuisine
Amaranto: Italian dishes.
From The Wedding Fairy (Cape Town, South Africa)
Ardis Food Truck: Gourmet Burgers
Earth Fire Pizza: Pizza
Pop Mobile Truck: Champagne Bar
My Hustle: Soft Serve
Wicked Waffles: Waffles
Jack Rabbit Mobile Kitchen: Gourmet Burgers.
From Rainbow Chan Weddings (Canada)
Toronto, Canada:
Buster’s Sea Cove: Seafood
Fidel Gastro’s: Gourmet sandwiches and street food
Gourmet Gringos: Latin American cuisine
Me.n.u Food Truck: an Asian fusion menu.
USA:
Kogi BBQ: A fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisine (California)
Wafels & Dinges: Belgian waffles (New York)
The Salty Donut: Artisanal donuts and craft coffee (Florida)
In-N-Out Burger: Classic American fast food (National Chain).
Food truck wedding catering offers a delightful and distinctive way to celebrate your big day, bringing a relaxed atmosphere. With careful planning and the right vendors, you can create a memorable experience that your guests will rave about long after the wedding.
