Why a food truck works at a wedding
A food truck brings its own kitchen, so it suits venues without one: a field, a barn, a family garden or a marquee in the middle of nowhere. It also changes the feel of the meal. Instead of waiting at tables for plates to arrive, guests wander over, chat in the queue and choose what they want. Many couples like that relaxed, social mood.
The flip side is that a food truck needs the right space, the right timings and a plan for queues and rain. Get those right, and it can be one of the best parts of the day.
Main meal or evening food?
Couples use food trucks in two main ways:
- As the wedding breakfast. The truck feeds every guest as the main meal. This needs the most planning, because everyone eats in a short window. Our guide to a street-food wedding breakfast covers it in depth.
- As evening food. The truck opens later in the night for evening guests and hungry dancers. It’s more relaxed, as people drift over when they’re ready.
Some couples do both, with a fuller menu at lunch and a shorter one in the evening.
Where the truck goes
Choose a spot that’s close enough to your guests to feel part of the day, but not so close that cooking smells, generator noise or queues get in the way. The truck needs:
- Level, firm ground or hardstanding. Soft lawns are a common problem after rain.
- Access wide and high enough to drive in, without low branches or tight gates.
- The venue’s permission, and distance from buildings, marquees and trees.
- Power and water arrangements, confirmed with each booking.
- Space for a queue that doesn’t block paths, doors or the dance floor.
Send your caterer photos of the spot and the route in. Our space and power checklist lists everything to check.
Managing the queue
The biggest worry couples have is a long queue. A few simple steps keep it moving:
- Call tables up in turn. Your MC, planner or venue coordinator can send tables over one or two at a time.
- Keep the menu short. Two or three fillings plus a vegan option is plenty.
- Add a taco bar. A build-your-own taco bar beside the truck can serve more people at once. See our taco bar guide.
- Use a menu board. Clear dietary labels mean fewer questions at the hatch.
- Serve the top table first, or bring their food to them so they can watch everyone else enjoy theirs.
Timings on the day
Agree a timetable with your caterer and venue, and share it with your MC or planner. Think about:
- When the truck can arrive and set up without getting in the way of other suppliers
- When food service starts, and how long it runs
- When speeches happen, so food isn’t ready while guests are listening
- When evening food opens, and for how long
- When the truck needs to leave, and any venue curfew
Our wedding catering timeline sets out what to sort out in the months before.
If it rains
A food truck can serve in the rain, but guests need somewhere covered to eat and ideally to queue. A marquee, barn or covered terrace close to the truck is ideal. Think about the ground too: if the truck is due to park on grass, agree a backup spot on hardstanding in case it’s soft. Our wet-weather plan covers this in detail.
Diets and allergies
A food truck can cater for mixed diets from the same hatch. Our menus include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, with allergen information for every dish. Ask about diets and allergies on your RSVP cards, and send your caterer a list with names. We plan carefully and keep options separate, and guests with severe allergies should talk to us before the wedding.
Plates, tables and clearing up
Ask your caterer what’s included. Some provide plates, napkins and cutlery, others expect the venue to. Check who sets out bins, who clears tables, and what happens to rubbish and food waste. If guests are eating at the wedding tables, decide whether they carry their plates back or staff bring food to them.
Children at the wedding
Street food is usually a hit with children, who like choosing their own food. Mild fillings, quesadillas and plain chicken tacos work well, with hot salsas kept well away. Count children separately on your RSVPs so your caterer can plan portions and a mild option, and think about serving children’s tables first so parents can settle them before eating themselves.
Making it part of the day
A food truck can be more than a kitchen. Couples often add festoon lights, a menu board with their names or a sign with the evening’s timings. The truck can appear in photos, and the moment the hatch opens tends to draw a crowd. Talk to your photographer about catching it. Keep decorations clear of the cooking area and vents, and agree anything attached to the truck with your caterer first.
Questions to ask your venue
- Are food trucks and outside caterers allowed? Is there a fee?
- Where can the truck park, and on what surface?
- What’s the access route, and are there any width, height or weight limits?
- Is there power and water nearby?
- Are there noise rules or a curfew?
- Where will guests eat if it rains?
- What paperwork does the venue need from the caterer?
Booking a wedding food truck
Send us your date, venue, numbers for the day and evening, and whether you’d like the truck for the main meal, evening food or both. We’ll suggest a menu and plan, and quote for your wedding. Contact us for a quote through our quote form, or see our wedding Mexican catering.
Quick answers
Will guests have to queue?
Usually briefly. Calling tables up in turn and keeping the menu short keeps queues moving.
Can the food truck park on grass?
Sometimes, if it’s level and firm. Always have a backup spot on hardstanding in case of rain.
Does the truck need power?
Usually some arrangement is needed. We confirm power and water with each booking.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.