Practical guide: 6 steps to a perfect banquet
The perfect banquet relies on meticulous organization and attention to detail. It’s as suitable for an intimate or grand wedding as it is for an elegant business reception.
Here’s a practical 6-step guide to ensure the success of your event.
- Budgeting;
- Choosing the venue;
- Selecting the caterer and menu;
- Managing the experience;
- Planning animation and entertainment;
- Post-mortem and event follow-up.
1. Draw up a budget for your banquet
The banquet cannot be considered a solitary element in an event. While it’s a culinary experience to be remembered, it’s not just about the food.
The budget also extends to the following elements:
- The venue selected;
- The caterer, whether on-site or off-site;
- The meal service;
- Alcohol;
- Audiovisual equipment rental;
- Entertainment or music, since the meal takes up a large part of the event;
- Decoration;
- Special guests, if any;
- Special guests, if any; etc.
2. Choosing the ideal venue for a wedding or corporate event
The choice of venue is crucial to the success of your banquet. Whether it’s a wedding, an auction or a benefit, always validate :
- Accessibility: a site that’s easy for your guests to reach is more inviting. It also requires ample parking.
- Room capacity: The venue needs to accommodate the number of guests, while still allowing for a smooth flow of traffic. Consider different floor plans, or a venue like La Distinction, with several rooms to choose from.
- Amenities: Check what is included in room rental packages (audiovisual equipment), whether there is a kitchen on site, a checkroom, the number of bathrooms, and so on.
3. On-site catering: a definite advantage
It goes without saying that a top-quality meal is the key to a successful banquet. Choose a venue where skilled chefs bring out the unique flavors of local ingredients. What’s more, an on-site caterer will save you money on service charges.
- Alternatives for dietary restrictions: Offer vegetarian alternatives, or those adapted to allergies and dietary restrictions. La Distinction offers different wedding packages or banquet menus for business meetings. Each menu offers allergen-free options.
- Food and wine pairings: We suggest unlimited wine during the banquet meal. However, this is at your discretion. Let the on-site sommelier or chef suggest the best pairings to enhance the dining experience.
Choose from 3 to 7 gourmet services
Even a 3-course banquet can be more than enough; welcome cocktail, canapés, soup, main course, dessert and unlimited wine are enough to set the scene. At 5 courses, La Distinction adds sparkling wine, two extra canapés, appetizer, granita and an open bar after the meal.
Do you really need a 6- or 7-course package?
4. Manage the event
A well-defined timetable is essential for a smooth operation. You want everything to happen within a given time. So you need someone to take on the role of master of ceremonies and manage the rest of the reception:
- Welcoming guests;
- Cocktails and canapés;
- Speeches, presentations or conferences;
- Entertainment and dancing;
- Closing and thank-you notes.
Assign the role of time validation to a second person to ensure that you never go over. The staff on hand for the meal should be highly professional and respect the deadline.
5. Plan animation and entertainment
Your meal will be the centerpiece of your event. However, if you’ve gone to the trouble of bringing people together for such a grand meal, it’s because an evening has been well organized.
Other than a wedding, a banquet can mark a retirement, a christening, an annual convention, a fundraising event, etc. Among the entertainment you can plan for:
- Wedding: Band, DJ and videographer, photobooth or giant outdoor games to entertain guests.
- Corporate: Inspirational speeches, award ceremonies, interactive entertainment or live music.
Remember, it’s a good idea to set aside a moment for thank-you notes at a corporate event.
6. Follow up after the banquet
Although optional for a wedding, the follow-up shows your involvement and gratitude. In the corporate world, the post-mortem is essential for measuring results against the event’s objectives.
- Weddings: Thank your guests with a personalized card or thank-you e-mail.
- Corporate events: Produce a summary of the event, accompanied by a satisfaction survey.
Organizing a successful banquet requires careful preparation, from the choice of venue and meal to post-event follow-up. Every detail counts to create a memorable experience.
