Caterer & Food Truck Info
Caterer & Food Truck Info
Highlights
Food trucks are a fun, casual, and popular option at Rixey Manor.
Best for weddings up to about 120 guests.
Plan on 3 dinner trucks plus 1 dessert truck to keep lines moving.
Limit menus and provide printed menus on tables.
Food trucks staff only their own service windows — you’ll need separate event staff for table setup, bussing, and guest support.
Front-load formalities (introductions, speeches, dances) before opening dinner service.
Trucks must be licensed, insured, and self-contained (no grease dumping).
Choosing a Caterer
Rixey Manor does not have in-house catering, so you’ll hire an outside caterer of your choice. We recommend booking your caterer early (once you have your date set) because the good ones get scooped up fast. When evaluating caterers, consider:
Menu options and ability to handle dietary requests
How many staff are included for setup, serving, and cleanup
Whether they handle rentals (linens, china, flatware) or if you’ll need a separate rental company
Cost per person (we’ve seen catering range from $50 up to $200 per guest depending on menu and service style)
Don’t be afraid to ask questions — a great caterer will guide you through options.
Staffing
Make sure your caterer’s quote includes sufficient staff for setup, serving, and cleanup. At minimum, about six staff are needed for events over 70 people. If your caterer is providing a plated meal, they should also have dedicated servers. For buffet style, staff are still needed to monitor and replenish. If the caterer doesn’t include enough helpers (or if you’re DIY-ing some food), you can arrange additional staff through Rixey (see Rixey Staffing Guide). Understaffing slows down dinner and leaves messes, so it’s critical to have enough hands on deck.
Menu and Service Tips
Through our experience, we’ve learned a few tricks that make a big difference:
Keep Water on Tables: Even for buffet meals, ask the caterer to place water carafes and glasses at each table. It elevates the table setting and keeps guests hydrated (preventing overindulgence). Similarly, don’t cut coffee/tea service after cake — many guests love a hot drink with dessert.
Pre-Ceremony Welcome Drink: Offering lemonade, iced tea, or fruit-infused water as guests arrive (or hot cocoa/apple cider in cooler months) is a thoughtful touch. We can set up a beverage station on the porch or patio for this (see Guest Comfort Tips).
Menu Choices: Too many entrée options can complicate service. Two entrées plus a vegetarian option is usually plenty. Also, consider what’s in season — ingredients are fresher and often cheaper. If cultural dishes are important, discuss them early so the caterer can plan.
Real China vs. Disposables: Real dinnerware adds elegance but comes with rental and staffing costs. High-quality disposables can be a budget-friendly alternative. Choose what fits your vibe and budget.
Clear Communication: Have big conversations when you’re rested and not rushed. If menu decisions overwhelm you, ask the caterer to recommend their most crowd-pleasing dishes — they do this every weekend. Once you’ve decided, trust them to deliver.
Food Truck Caterers
If you’re thinking of a food truck or several instead of a traditional caterer, see Food Truck Weddings for full guidance. In short: food trucks are a fun, casual option we love hosting — but they operate differently, so extra planning is needed for rentals and staffing.
For weddings up to ~120 guests, we recommend three dinner trucks plus one dessert truck. Include one truck that can handle cocktail hour appetizers, and consider a wood-fired pizza truck for speed. Keep menus tight and place printed menus on tables so guests know what to order before lining up. Pro tip: cohesive disposable party sets work beautifully and can be shipped straight to us.
We also recommend front-loading the formalities — introductions, dances, and speeches — before opening dinner service, so guests can wander to the trucks without pressure.
Licensing and Insurance
Ensure any caterer or food truck you hire is properly licensed (with a health permit) and carries liability insurance. We may ask for a Certificate of Insurance in advance. If you choose a smaller, family-run vendor without insurance, talk to us — we can advise on options (like a one-day event insurance rider).
Catering for Special Situations
We’ve hosted multicultural weddings where families brought their own traditional foods or hired specialty chefs — we welcome it! Just coordinate with us so we can plan kitchen or serving space. Similarly, if a family member is baking your cake or making cookies for a dessert table, let us know so we can reserve space (and fridge room if needed).
We do suggest hiring professionals for the main meal if possible — feeding 100+ guests is a huge job, and we’d rather your family enjoy the day than be stuck in the kitchen.
After Dinner
Once dinner is over, your caterer usually clears plates, removes food-service trash, and boxes up leftovers. Confirm with them if they’ll package food for you (many will if you provide containers). If there’s a lot left, consider donating it or sending guests home with to-go boxes. And don’t forget a late-night snack — whether it’s leftover pizza, sliders, or s’mores (see Extra Meals), a 10PM bite is always a hit.
In Summary
Whether it’s a catering team carving prime rib or a food truck flinging pizzas, we’ll make it work at Rixey Manor. Communicate your needs, keep guest comfort in mind, and we’ll help coordinate the rest.
Related Sections
Food Truck Weddings
Rixey Staffing Guide
Alcohol & Bar Setup
Clean-Up Guidance
Downloads
(Optional) Caterer Walkthrough Checklist
(Optional) Food-Truck Quick Plan (truck counts, menu limits, staffing tips)