Five Non-alcoholic Wines for Your Autumn Wedding
The Ultimate Checklist for Hiring a Food Truck at Your Wedding
Once only seen on city streets, food trucks are breaking out of their traditional territory and into the world of weddings. While a fantastic way to make your day delicious and memorable, incorporating a food truck into your celebrations requires careful planning. As part of our wedding food tips, this checklist will guide you through the key points.
1. Research Local Vendors
The first step of planning is researching food trucks in your area. Ideally, do this as early as you can. Food trucks are in high demand, not just for weddings, but for festivals and other outdoor events, especially in peak season.
During your research, focus on vendors that align with your wedding theme and venue. For instance, a boho summer wedding might pair well with fresh bites like salads and gourmet pizzas, whereas a winter wedding could benefit from heartier, warming foods like soups.
Our Experience:
As wedding bloggers, we’ve seen couples fall in love with a food truck’s Instagram page, only to find out it’s booked solid for a year. One bride we worked with adored a gourmet mac and cheese truck but booked it late, ending up with a no-show (and a room full of hangry guests). Lesson learned: don’t just find your dream vendor—lock them in early. Bonus tip: taste-test first! Because “mediocre food truck” isn’t the vibe you want.
Watch this video to see how the trend of food trucks in weddings is getting bigger:
2. Verify Permits And Health & Safety
When opting for a mobile catering service, you must check they have the right permits and certifications for your particular state. For example, if you’re one of our followers in the Sunshine State, the required permits for Florida food trucks will differ from those in New York. Confirm your vendor has a current health inspection certificate in place, and work with them to understand any additional documentation needed. This may include:
- Event permits for private property
- Parking permits for public streets
- Health department approvals
Our Experience:
We once attended a wedding where a food truck was shut down mid-service because of a missing event permit. Picture the chaos: a line of guests with plates in hand, and no food in sight. It’s funny in hindsight, but at the time? Not so much. Always double-check permits—it’s like fastening your seatbelt before hitting the gas.
3. Consider the Logistics
Practically speaking, you must ensure the venue can accommodate the needs of your chosen food truck. Considerations include parking space, an area for service and dining, and a power supply if they’re not using a generator.
Our Experience:
Here’s a cautionary tale: A couple we worked with booked a food truck without factoring in the terrain. On the big day, the truck struggled to park on a sloped, grassy hill. It was like watching an episode of Top Gear, but with higher stakes. Now, we always advise couples to think of food trucks as Goldilocks: they need parking that’s just right.
Watch this video to get a glimpse of a beautiful wedding with a food truck:
4. Plan Your Menu
Since most food trucks specialize in a particular cuisine, you already have your starting point. A couple of things to keep in mind are:
-
- Dietary options: Ensure you include a vegan option for plant-based guests, as well as gluten and other allergen-free choices.
- Portions: Clarify whether the food trucks will serve full meals, snacks, or a mixture of both.Sweet treats: Will you include desserts on the menu, or perhaps even hire a second truck for ‘afters’?
Our Experience:
As foodies, we’ve sampled some stellar wedding menus and a few that fell flat. One standout was a Mediterranean truck serving lamb gyros alongside vegan falafels—it had something for everyone. Another time, a couple skipped dessert, thinking their guests wouldn’t mind. Spoiler alert: they did. Always add sweet treats to the lineup—it’s the edible equivalent of a mic drop.
5. Coordinate Timing and Service Style
Discuss how your vendors will serve guests throughout your event. Some popular techniques include buffet-style, where guests order directly, and pre-prepared meals, which lends to a faster service. You’ll also need to decide the time slot for your vendors and whether to operate with a staggered service, which can be beneficial for larger weddings.
Our Experience:
At one wedding, the truck served guests buffet-style but underestimated the time it would take. Half the reception was spent queuing. The solution? A staggered schedule with a second truck dedicated to drinks and nibbles. It’s all about flow, darling.
Watch this video to learn some more tips and info about having a food truck in your wedding:
6. Add a Touch of Comfort
Food trucks are fun and casual, but that doesn’t mean your guests don’t want to dine in comfort. A variety of tables and chairs, well-placed signage, and ample trash and recycling bins are key to creating a relaxing, functional environment.
Our Experience:
We’ve seen food truck setups ranging from chaotic to chic. The best ones create a dining area that feels intentional—a mix of casual seating, fairy lights, and thoughtful touches like blankets for chilly nights. It’s the kind of vibe that says, “Stay awhile and enjoy.”
7. Communicate With Guests
For the smoothest dining experience on the day, let your guests know ahead of time that food trucks will be a part of your wedding. You could include a menu preview or instructions on how the trucks will operate on your invitations.
Our Experience:
At one wedding, the bride and groom forgot to mention the food trucks were BYO (build your own). The result? Guests hovered around awkwardly, unsure how to order. Pro tip: communication is like a seasoning—essential to a good dish (or wedding).
Endnote
Food trucks are a brilliant and flexible way to deliver fun, tasty meals to your wedding guests. Follow this checklist to ensure every detail is planned and locked in (from permits to allergies) and create the dining experience your special day deserves. Every time we see food trucks at weddings, they add a buzz that’s hard to replicate. There’s something special about watching guests line up for their favourite street food while chatting under the stars. It’s less stuffy than a formal sit-down meal, yet just as memorable. And if you ask us, that’s what weddings should be about—joy, connection, and, yes, really good food.
Sources:
- https://www.theknot.com/content/food-truck-wedding-planning-tips
- https://www.brides.com/story/food-truck-wedding-catering-tips
