Despite being two separate companies, Tythe and our in-house caterers Absolute Taste work as one big family when it comes to serving up that all important wedding day nosh. We catch up with Immi, our Head of Operations over at Absolute Taste, to find out a little more about the journey our couples experience once they have booked Tythe as their wedding venue.

What’s the next step for couples who have just confirmed their date at Tythe?

‘Congratulations! They have found their perfect venue! At Absolute Taste, we LOVE food! We LOVE to talk about it, taste it, suggest ideas and produce really great grub – both in our opinion and according to the feedback we get from our couples and their guests!! Once couples have returned their contract to Tythe, the team there will let us know and we then immediately get in touch with the couple via email to share our menus and booking forms. This email will explain the two different routes that couples can follow when planning the catering element of their big day – either a menu chat with detailed discussions and conversations or a tasting. We aim to alleviate many of the pressures and anxieties couples may feel regarding the food offering for their wedding and by going through all of the details together, step by step, a trust begins to develop alongside a confidence that we do know rather a lot about food.

How do couples decide which food options would work best for their wedding?

To start, they have a look through the menu brochures and decide which menu tickles their taste buds. We can be flexible, of course, so if there is a dish they particularly love, or a style of eating that is more suited to them, their friends and family, then we can adapt elements of our menus to accommodate this.

Once couples have an idea of the menu options and choices they may be leaning towards we would arrange a ‘menu chat’. This is usually a call over zoom, or in person if there is a preference to visit our offices at The Shed – just over the road from Tythe. The ‘menu chat’ lasts around 30-45 minutes and begins with lots of discussions and questions on how the couple envisage their day so that we can build up a picture of the wedding as well as gaining an insight into the couple, their likes, dislikes and their personalities. We will then chat through their initial menu choices, look at ideas, answer queries, make suggestions and see how we can incorporate ‘the two of them’ into their big day.

What happens next?

Following the menu chat the couples will receive their ‘menu outline’ which enables us all to have a clear idea on any choices that need confirming, reworking, tweaking or further thought from either side. We’d usually recommend having a menu chat approximately 1 year – 9 months before a wedding day however we can do this in a much tighter turnaround if couples are working with a shorter timeframe!

How does a ‘Tasting’ work?

If a couple choose to have a tasting day, dates are shared for various time slots and availability. We hold one tasting day per month, apart from our peak months, with 4 slots available. These tasting slots are exclusive to the couple and include being able to try 3 courses from their chosen menu (starter – or canapes, main & dessert). The tasting slots are also open for couples to bring up to 6 guests, including themselves, and we encourage them to bring their loved ones along (as long as they are happy to hear the extra opinions!?). Doing this 6 months before the big day is usually a suitable amount of time. Couples can also try their wines during the tasting which is always a popular choice!

To finish, we’ll send over the finalised menu and any notes from the tasting, along with photos of the dishes.

What needs to be done closer to the wedding date?

So, the menu is decided, guests are invited and the RSVP’s are in. One month before the big day (exciting!) couples will be asked by the Absolute Taste team to send over all of their final details including, importantly, final numbers, table plans and any guest dietary requirements. That’s it – we then do the rest – making sure everyone has a full tummy and a smile on their face.

What about on the wedding day itself?

We have a dedicated team who work at Tythe on the day. At Tythe, on a wedding day, each couple have their very own catering manager, a dedicated waiting team – who always have smiles on their faces – to their personalised team of chefs (who would have been there at the tasting). There is always a logistics team on hand making sure we have the right plates and dishes or additional items for presentation and to ensure that, if required, the guests’ favourite wood-fired oven is nicely stoked! We love working alongside our Tythe couples, it is an honour and a thrill to be such an important part of their big day and we always make certain that it becomes the best day of their lives!

Do you offer food at The Farmhouse?

Absolutely! We now look after all of The Farmhouse food too, guests will be welcomed with a hamper on arrival for the duration of their stay. We also have the options to upgrade to relaxed BBQ’s, grazing stations, sit down dinners and much more. The day after the wedding calls for something scrummy but not too rich – think late morning brunches or a long lazy Sunday lunch. We want to take care of our couples and their friends and family so that they can make the most of their stay at Tythe’s wonderful Farmhouse and embrace everything this enchanting setting has to offer. If couples wish to extend their invite then Tythe allows, by prior arrangement, a handful of additional guests to join The Farmhouse residents for a dinner the evening before or a Lunch, the day following, the wedding. What could be better than dragging those celebrations out a little bit longer…?

Any tips you can give to couples who are just starting out on their wedding food journey?

Yes…don’t be afraid to talk!! We are an incredibly friendly bunch and passionate about what we do. Conversations about food, menus, different tastes and being creative are what we live for. We will happily tweak and amend menus to cater for any of our guests who have specific requirements and we can add nods to specific flavours from around the world. We offer years of insight and experience when it comes to planning the catering for weddings at Tythe. We thoroughly enjoy working with the wonderful team at Tythe and with their couples and their families!

So if you’re thinking that Tythe might be the perfect venue for you and you need some advice, ideas or want to chat through the menus before making the leap to booking – get in touch!