When planning a wake or celebration of life, begin with a few practical details: where people will gather, when they are likely to arrive and the food you would like to offer. You can discuss the arrangements with Fables while some details are still being confirmed.
Agree the venue and timing
Give the venue name, postcode and the time you expect guests to arrive. Explain whether the gathering follows a service elsewhere and whether people will arrive together or over a period of time. Tell us which timings are confirmed and which may change.
Check when the venue allows catering setup, where food can be placed and who will provide access. If the venue has its own catering rules or facilities, share those details before the menu and service are agreed.
Work with the guest numbers you know
If attendance is uncertain, explain the expected range and discuss how the final catered number will be agreed. Keep the meal count separate from the wider invitation list, particularly if some people will attend the service but not the gathering afterwards.
Include anyone else you want catered for and identify the number of agreed alternative meals. Follow the guest-number instructions in your confirmed booking rather than assuming that a different attendance on the day automatically changes the food quantity.
Choose food around the gathering
The current Fables funeral catering page brings together buffet, afternoon tea, grazing and canapé options. Consider how guests will eat and how much space the venue has for serving and seating.
A buffet gives you a menu to discuss around a serving area. Afternoon tea offers another starting point for the food choices, while grazing and canapés can be considered when discussing the style of the gathering. Fables will confirm the food and service that can be provided for your date and venue.
Keep requests and responsibilities clear
Discuss food intolerance requests before booking. Fables caters for agreed food intolerances only and does not cater for food allergies. A request is included only once Fables expressly confirms the arrangements. Please provide portion counts without guests’ names or medical histories; the full dietary information is on the buffet page.
Agree who supplies tables, plates, cutlery and napkins, what serving help is needed and who handles guest waste, bins and venue cleaning. Keep these responsibilities together with the menu and serving arrangements in the quote.
Send a short, useful enquiry
Include the date, venue postcode, expected guests, arrival or serving time, preferred food and any practical requirements already known. Make clear which details are provisional. Contact Fables for a tailored quote, or return to the funeral catering page to explore the current options.