As a kosher caterer in Seattle, serving diverse expressions of Judaism, wedding planning is a time for me to sit back and listen, to “get” what a particular “Northwest Jewish Couple” envisions for their big day. My catering website is a mission statement and phone number. Trust me; we need to talk. A wedding is about logistics first, food second. More important than the things people ask for are the things they really don’t want.
Northwest couples, with free-spirited abandon, opt for Sundays in our dubious summer weather months. The biggest request is for ‘no rain’, which is very different from ‘sun’. Overcast, drizzle, partly sunny, chance of sun….we’ll take any of those; just please Hashem, “NO RAIN!” Like a major league pitcher, I keep weather stats on my weddings. I’ve managed a near shutout career to date (knock on wood) with rain before, rain after…but, no rain during except once in the summer of ’03.
Weather is a factor since a popular request is “no hotel”. Right up there with no hotel is “no synagogue”. Seattle doesn’t have a designated community hall for Jewish weddings. Even if it did, the novelty would wear off after a few uses and we’d be back in the parks, our glorious awe inspiring parks. The backup plan against unpredictable weather includes a tent rental requiring a 50% non-refundable deposit running into the thousands of dollars. We may need it, we may not. Often, we can’t guess until erev Shabbat. Should it be put up? Should we chance it? Sometimes, we put it up in case it is sunny; guests might get too hot. We’re not used to sun.
Taking further notes, I ask where the happy couple is having their wedding. We’ve driven an hour North, South, East and West praying that nothing has been left behind in the kitchen. We’ve taken ferry boats to State parks, a convoy of refrigerator trucks and BBQ grills to backyards in the country. It is worth the effort when a couple stands under the chuppah framed by evergreens, a view of Puget Sound in the distance, a medley of nature’s perfection playing on all senses.
When I finally sit to draft a proposal, I work logistics first. Trucks, tent, tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware and glass rentals are line items with service and timelines. Ferry schedules may be consulted, Mapquest routes tracked and packing lists compiled. Once I have the logistics down, I can turn my attention to the rest of the event. Looking back at my notes, I read:
No smorgasbord – appetizers during yichud
Scroll to continue
More Love
Recipes and More From Beth Torah Caterers
Last year in our Best of Kosher 2011 contest, Beth Torah Caterers came out number one. …
No bar – wine, beer, a signature cocktail, seltzer and flat water (lots of water)
No plated meal – buffet featuring the bounty of the Northwest
No meat – dairy/fish okay, vegan option (gluten-free)
No flowers – maybe a food donation centerpiece or Pike Place Market bouquets ($10 each)
No mechitzah – after the Rabbi leaves
No cake – finger desserts for ½ the guests, everyone else will be gone
Now that I know when and where the couple doesn’t want everything, I can get creative and draft a menu.
Main Image Photo credited to Gordon Modin.
Other photos credited to Julia Bruk.
You are too kind, Ms. E. Recipes are posted for both of those items; maybe you need to come and make a how-to video with me!
imimim1: you couldn’t ask for a better — or more conscientious — caterer. leah is tremendous. she did our daughter’s bat mitzvah and has catered numerous events for the israel advocacy non-profit my husband runs. be sure to have her spinach kugel and stuffed grape leaves!
Thanks, mysterious I-know-who! The wedding in the trees was in Kitsap State Park. Susan’s son Ben worked a wedding there with me and decided his would be there also. I think the photographer used some type lens to get the trees into the shot….they are very straight and tall trees! It was quite the event with about 50 guests beyond the RSVP’s. Will come to Israel to cook anytime! XO, Leah
love this post of yours, leah. tell me about the amazing pic that went along with it. they look like glass bent trees. i really miss you and want you to cater my daughter’s wedding, may that day be soon!!!!!