Make sure your big day goes to plan by considering the pros and cons of having a food truck wedding
Having a food truck wedding is a fun and exciting way to celebrate your big day and make it a memorable experience. It’s something different and people tend to like the atmosphere it creates.
Having food trucks at a wedding also has a number of benefits that include being an affordable option in comparison to traditional wedding catering where you can offer a wide range of dishes that cater to different tastes and dietary needs. It also offers an interactive experience for your guests where they can see the food being cooked and ask questions.
And like anything there are also a few drawbacks to having a food truck wedding, such as limited seating options, being dependent on the weather, and loud noise if the caterer is using a diesel generator.
In this article, I’ll discuss all of the pros and cons of having a food truck at your wedding in more detail to help you make an informed decision on whether this type of catering is right for you.
Pros of a food truck wedding
1. Convenience
Having a food truck at a wedding event is convenient because it provides guests with easy grab-and-go options. Guests can simply walk up to the truck and order their meal without having to wait in long lines or be served by wait staff.
This can be especially helpful for outdoor weddings or events with a large number of guests, where traditional catering may be more difficult to coordinate.
2. Unique experience
A food truck is a unique addition to a wedding event and can provide a memorable experience for guests. It’s a good way to make a wedding stand out and can help to get the conversation started when people are milling around waiting for their order.
Additionally, a food truck can help to create a more casual, laid-back atmosphere, which may be more in line with the couple’s style and personality.
3. Flexibility
With a food truck, you have the flexibility to offer a wide variety of food options, because you can book multiple food trucks that offer different types of cuisines. This allows you to cater to different tastes (some people may like spicy food while others may not) and for guests who may be vegetarian, vegan, or have gluten intolerances.
4. Cost-effective
On average food truck catering is cheaper per head than traditional wedding caterers due to lower overheads. For example, a food truck may charge between $15-25 per head for a main meal in comparison to the $35-60 that wedding caterers can charge.
This lower cost is due to not needing a full kitchen and waiting staff, which can save you money on rental fees and staffing costs.
Additionally, many food trucks offer affordable pricing options and can work with you to create a menu that fits within your budget.
5. Mobility
One of the main benefits of a food truck is that is mobile which means it can be moved to different locations.
This can be very handy for outdoor weddings or events that require guests to move around to different locations, such as a ceremony in one location and a reception in another or an area where catering may be hard to service. This opens up a lot more options for where to serve guests food.
6. Interactive experience
Food trucks offer an interactive experience because they have open kitchens that allow guests to see their food being cooked right in front of them. The food truck staff can interact with guests and answer questions about the food and the cooking process, which can enhance the experience further.
This can be entertaining and engaging for guests and can add to the overall buzz of the event. Additionally,
7. Easy cleanup
Another advantage of having a food truck at a wedding event is that cleanup is typically easier and faster than traditional wedding catering.
This is because food truck products are often designed to be grab-and-go served in disposable packaging that can be easily disposed of. There is also no need to worry about clearing tables and washing up.
8. Branding opportunities
Some food trucks offer custom branding which is a great way to personalize a wedding for the bride and groom with custom colors and images and can be especially valuable for couples who want to create a unique and memorable wedding experience
A good example of this is to brand the mobile catering unit in themed colors and have a picture of the bride and groom printed on things like edible paper on cupcakes or onto disposable food packaging.
Related articles:
- 27 Best Food Truck Ideas For Weddings 2023
- How Much Does A Food Truck Cost For A Wedding?
- 11 Tips For Booking Food Truck Vendors For Your Event
- How Much to Hire a Food Truck: Costs, Tips & What to Consider
Cons of a food truck wedding
1. Limited seating
Whilst a food truck offers a relatively low-cost solution to wedding catering it also means that seating arrangments may be limited. Guests may have to stand or sit on the ground while eating, which can be uncomfortable for some guests, especially older guests or those with mobility issues.
Additionally, it can be difficult to create a cohesive seating arrangement with a food truck, as guests may be scattered around the venue.
2. Weather-dependent
Food trucks are not only designed to be moved around but also to operate outdoors which means they are weather-dependent. If it rains, it can therefore be difficult to keep guests dry when they are waiting to be served.
Adverse weather can also impact the mobility of the truck, especially if it has to be moved on muddy or wet ground as it may not be able to move on muddy or wet ground. Similarly extreme heat or cold can impact the experience for the guest as all of the serving with me is done outside.
3. Noise
If a food truck uses electricity to run some of the appliances and you don’t provide a mains electric supplier then they may be using a diesel power generator. This can be noisy, and distracting for the guests, especially during speeches or other important moments during the wedding. It can also make it difficult for guests to hear each other or enjoy the ambiance of the wedding.
4. Longer wait times
Food trucks have limited space and often cook food to order as opposed to having a large catering kitchen with dishes made in bulk, with all the food coming out at the same time, or a buffet-style set-up.
This means that wait times at a food truck can be longer than with traditional catering, which can result in guests getting frustrated, especially when hungry. This can also be an issue for time-scheduling where guests need to get to speeches and ceremonies on time.
5. Limited menu options
Following on from the previous disadvantage of food trucks, having a smaller space to operate also means offering a smaller menu selection, especially if you intend to keep costs really low and only book one food truck. This can be a particular issue if you want to cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs.
6. Space requirements
Food trucks are bulky, with some measuring as large as 16ft long which means it requires a certain amount of space, both for the truck itself and for guests to line up and order. Access and setting up could therefore be an issue if there is limited space at the wedding venture for mobile caterers.
7. Dependence on a single vendor
With a food truck, you are reliant on a single vendor for all of your catering needs. If the food truck experiences an issue with staffing or breaks down and is delayed, it can impact the timing and overall success of the event.
This means it can be more difficult to resolve than with a traditional caterer, who may have multiple staff and resources to draw upon.
Pros & Cons Of Having A Food Truck Wedding: Summary
| Pros | Cons |
| Unique Experience: Food trucks can offer a unique and memorable experience for guests, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere. | Limited Menu: Food trucks typically have a limited menu, which may not cater to all dietary requirements or preferences. |
| Flexibility: Food trucks are mobile, making them easy to move to different locations and positioning them in the most convenient location for guests. | Space: Food trucks require a certain amount of space, which may not be available at all venues. |
| Convenience: Food trucks offer quick and easy food options, which can be particularly useful for casual or outdoor weddings. | Wait Time: Depending on the size of the wedding, there may be a longer wait time for guests to get their food. |
| Customization: Food trucks can be customized to fit the wedding’s theme, style, or cuisine preferences. | Weather Dependent: Food trucks can be affected by weather conditions, such as wind, rain, or extreme heat, which can affect food quality and service. |
| Cost-Effective: Food trucks can be a cost-effective catering option, as they may not require the same level of staffing and equipment as traditional catering options. | Clean-Up: Food trucks may not provide the same level of clean-up services as traditional catering options, which may require additional cleaning and maintenance. |
Author
Gavin D is the founder of Street Food Central and Tru Foo Juice Bar Co. and has worked in the mobile catering industry for over 7 years.