Wedding Catering & Mobile Bar FAQs
Planning a wedding, throwing a party or organising the work Christmas do?
There’s usually a point where the fun ideas turn into a very long list of questions.
Your catering & mobile bar questions, served with answers
Here are our answers to the food, drinks and practical details that help bring it all together. Lemon Pie Events offers catering and mobile bar services across Otago, Southland and Canterbury, with plenty of flavour and a healthy appetite for a good celebration.
Wedding Catering & Menus
How much does wedding catering cost per person?
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Wedding catering prices depend on your menu, guest numbers, service style, location and venue facilities. Staffing, equipment hire and travel can also affect the total, so a per-person food price is only part of the picture.
Tell us your approximate budget and what it needs to cover. We’ll help you explore suitable options, with a quote that explains the inclusions.
How far in advance should we book wedding catering?
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Enquire as soon as you have your wedding date and venue, particularly for summer Saturdays and popular holiday weekends. Booking early gives you more time to work through menus, drinks and the practical arrangements.
Left it a little late? Get in touch anyway. We can check availability without a lecture about your calendar.
What is the best catering style for a wedding?
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The best wedding catering style depends on your venue, timetable and how you want guests to spend their time. Buffets offer choice, shared feasts bring dishes to each table, plated meals create a structured dining experience, and roaming catering keeps people mingling.
We’ll help you choose something that suits your celebration. You don’t have to follow tradition just because someone’s auntie expects a seating plan.
How much food do we need for our wedding guests?
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The amount of food you need depends on guest numbers, the time of day, event length and whether you’re serving snacks or a full meal. Canapé quantities for a short drinks reception won’t suit an entire evening.
Share your timetable with us, including when guests arrive and when the celebrations finish. We’ll recommend a menu and portions to suit, and discuss whether late-night food would be a welcome addition.
Mobile Bars & Drinks
What is included in mobile caravan bar hire?
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Our caravan bar service can include professional bar staff, glassware, mixers, garnishes, styling and a tailored drinks menu. Your quote will confirm the inclusions, service hours and how beverages are supplied. A lovely-looking bar, with the practical details taken care of too.
Can we supply our own alcohol?
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Yes. We offer BYO beverage service, where you supply the drinks and our team handles service. We also offer supplied drinks options if you’d prefer us to organise the beverages. We’ll discuss your preferences, venue and budget to find the right fit.
How much alcohol should we buy for our wedding?
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Quantities depend on guest numbers, service duration, drink preferences and how many people will be drinking alcohol. Share your timetable and proposed drinks list with us before shopping so we can discuss quantities. Remember water and alcohol-free options, rather than spending the entire budget on an ambitious mountain of rosé.
Can you provide cocktails, mocktails and bar service without the caravan?
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Yes. We can discuss signature cocktails, Lemon Pie favourites and thoughtful alcohol-free options. We can also provide bar service inside a suitable venue, home or office without the caravan. Tell us about the available space and facilities so we can plan the setup.
Venues, Setup & Event Support
Can you cater at a private home, marquee or rural property?
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Yes, provided the site is suitable for your chosen catering and bar service. We’ll discuss access, power, water, refrigeration, preparation space and shelter before confirming arrangements. A paddock with mountain views is a wonderful start. We just need to know how the practical bits will work.
Does our venue need a kitchen?
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Kitchen requirements depend on your menu and service style. Let us know what cooking equipment, preparation space, refrigeration and washing-up facilities are available. If there isn’t a suitable kitchen, we’ll discuss whether alternative preparation arrangements or hired equipment could work.
What happens if it rains at our outdoor event?
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An outdoor event needs a suitable wet-weather plan, including shelter for guests, food service, bar staff and equipment. We’ll discuss how catering and drinks service would work in the alternative setup. Hoping for sunshine is encouraged. Having a backup plan is even better.
Do you provide staff, tableware, setup and pack-down?
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Yes. We can arrange staffed catering, setup, service and pack-down, and help coordinate glassware, tableware and other hire items. Your quote will confirm the support included. Nobody should discover halfway through their own party that they’ve accidentally volunteered for the washing-up.
Locations, Occasions & Booking
Where do you offer catering and mobile bar services?
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Lemon Pie works across Otago, Southland and Canterbury, including Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wānaka, Cromwell, Bannockburn, Alexandra, Dunedin, Mosgiel, the Otago Peninsula, Milton, Balclutha, Ōamaru, Invercargill and Christchurch.
For Glenorchy, Timaru or another South Island location, send us your venue and dates so we can confirm availability and travel arrangements.
Do you cater for events other than weddings?
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Yes. We cater for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, Christmas parties, retreats and film crews. Enquire about anything from a cocktail-paired long lunch to meals across several days. If you’re gathering people who need feeding, we’d love to hear the plan.
How far in advance should we book?
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Enquire as soon as you have your date and venue, particularly for summer weddings, weekends and Christmas events. Booking early gives us more time to plan the details. Left it late? Still ask. We can check availability without a lecture about your calendar.
How do we get a quote?
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Enquire through our website or email hello@lemonpieevents.co.nz with your date, venue, approximate guest numbers, budget and whether you need catering, bar service or both.
You don’t need everything figured out. A few useful details and “please help” will get the conversation going.