NC Wedding Catering Checklist and Guide

In wake of COVID-19, we want to uplift our Heart of NC Wedding catering teams with 9 days of food inspo! Each day we’ll spotlight a different catering company by sharing their story and cuisine. Whether your perfect reception is trendy, lavish, culturally influenced or family style – you want your guests to enjoy great food! Each year we plan a photo shoot with our preferred NC wedding caterers. We sit down with local chefs, hearing how they shop the farmers’ markets and bring new takes to traditional recipes. We have tasted the food of each of the caterers featured in Heart of NC Weddings … not just photo shoot leftovers, but also incredible full-fledged meals at local industry events, including our own! As you follow along, use our catering checklist to help you plan. 

This editorial appeared in Heart of NC Weddings 2020. Enjoy the extra images of NC wedding caterers, appetizers, food stations and main courses. All of the photos within this editorial were taken by Heba Salama Photography

NC Wedding Catering Checklist and Guide 

BOOK catering 9-18 months in advance, or as soon as you have your wedding venue secured

BUDGET FOR YOUR BAR this varies by type of alcohol, but one drink per person, per hour is the general rule of thumb

COCKTAIL HOUR plan appetizers

DINNER STYLE choose buffet, plated, action stations, family style or a combination

SPECIALTY DIETS include vegetarian and allergy friendly menu items

EXTRA RENTALS may be needed for dinner and dessert service; be ready to ask your providers

LATE NIGHT SNACK for your dancing guests is a big hit

VENDOR MEALS should be provided for your wedding team

TAX AND GRATUITY must be added if not already in the quote

Day One NC Wedding Catering Spotlight – HL Catering 

Meet Houston and Katie, the humble husband and wife duo behind HL Catering. Houston Loper graduated from culinary school at the Art Institute of Atlanta, but his love of cooking and all things cuisine originated in the family kitchen. Chef Houston’s inspiration stems from a childhood surrounded by women with an appetite for amazing cooking. His passion for food only grew while working at the famous Atlanta Fish Market.

Today, HL Catering company is known for outstanding taste and cutting edge presentation from passed hors d’oeuvres and appetizers to the main course and desserts. As the Triangle continues to expand, so has NC’s reputation for being a home of good eats and foodies. Chef Houston says “more and more of our clients want food at their events to be elevated which allows us to push ourselves creatively.” 

HL Catering Delicious Appetizer Bites NC Wedding Catering Checklist and Guide Heart of NC Weddings Salama

Raleigh Wedding Caterers with a Fine Dining Touch

As a fourth generation Raleighite, Katie has helped make HL Catering feel at home within the NC wedding industry. Her professional experience in business and events and natural attention to detail has quickly made HL Catering a sought-after service. 

Katie and Houston know that on the day of your wedding, the catering team only gets one chance to get it right. Houston says that they always take pride in providing excellent food and service and never cut corners in order to provide couples and their guests the best experience. HL Catering has served every style, from Southern to French to Indian to Persian-inspired menus. Chef Houston loves to add a taste of the couple’s heritage to their wedding day menu and will customize to complement you and your partner’s unique taste buds. 

Above: Burrata salad with heirloom tomatoes and compressed melon drizzled with lemon infused olive oil and a balsamic vinaigrette.

Above: Crispy soft shell crab over sea island red beans, purple eyed peas and Anson Mills grits.

Above: Roasted lamb over a sweet potato puree with broccolini and morel mushrooms.

Support HL Catering During COVID-19

Support NC wedding caterers during the coronavirus pandemic. HL Catering is offering weekly dinner delivery! Orders will be due Sundays by 5pm and will be delivered Wednesdays. To place orders, email sales@hlcatering.com or call 919-675-1854 Bored at home? Take one of HL Catering’s virtual cooking classes! Every Tuesday at 4 p.m. for the month of May, Chef Houston will be offering virtual cooking classes for kids, be sure to sign up! You can also support HL Catering by following and sharing them via social media @hlcateringco or writing them a google review (only if you’ve actually experienced their service).

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