Twelve to six months before
- Book the venue and check its rules on outside caterers
- Decide on the wedding breakfast and evening food
- Ask for quotes and book your caterer
Six to three months before
- Agree the menu, sides and alternatives to pork
- Agree the cooking spot with the venue and marquee supplier
- Decide on plates or china
Two months before
- Send invitations with a dietary question on the RSVP
- Draft the running order
Two weeks before
- Give final numbers, including non-pork eaters, vegetarians and vegans
- Pass on allergies
- Confirm arrival, serving times and the contact for the day
On the day
A hog roast caterer arrives hours before the meal to start roasting, often while the ceremony is on. The venue coordinator or an usher tells them when to carve. After service, staff clear up while the party carries on.
Questions to ask your venue early
- Can we bring in an outside caterer, and is there a fee?
- Where can a hog roast cook, and how far from the building or marquee?
- What time can suppliers arrive?
- Is there a kitchen or prep area we can use?
- What paperwork do caterers need to provide?
The week of the wedding
Check the forecast and confirm your wet-weather plan. Make sure the venue coordinator, the caterer and your chosen contact for the day all have each other’s numbers and the final running order.
After the wedding
Ask the caterer what happens to any leftovers, and settle the final balance as agreed in your contract.
A month before
- Confirm the menu, sides and alternatives
- Confirm plates or china
- Check the venue has what it needs from the caterer
- Agree the contact for the day
Six to eight weeks before
- Chase any missing RSVPs and dietary needs
- Decide how many evening guests to cater for
- Check lighting at the cooking spot for evening service
Keeping track
Keep one document with your caterer’s quote, confirmed menu, numbers, contacts and timings. Share it with your venue coordinator and the person who will be your contact on the day.
If you’re having a plated meal
For a plated hog roast wedding breakfast, give the caterer a table plan showing who has which dietary need. It means vegetarian, vegan and non-pork guests get the right plate without having to ask.
Wedding day contact
Choose someone calm and organised as the caterer’s contact: an usher, a friend or the venue coordinator. It shouldn’t be the couple or the parents.
Ready to start?
Send us your date, venue and rough numbers, and whether you’re thinking of the wedding breakfast, evening food or both. We’ll check the date and your venue’s rules for outside caterers, then send a quote that lists the menu, staff and timings.
Quick answers
When should we book a hog roast for our wedding?
As soon as the venue and date are confirmed.
When do caterers need final numbers?
Often one to two weeks before; check your contract.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.