EN/NL

Quick summary

A food truck at your wedding gives you a mobile kitchen that cooks and serves fresh food on site, perfect for a wedding day that feels relaxed but still delivers on quality. It only works smoothly if you sort out four things in advance: permits, power and water, a weather backup plan, and a clear menu with allergen information. La Casserole handles this by bringing catering, permit checks, technical setup, and service together under one point of coordination.

• Expect to spend around 35% of your wedding budget on catering. Industry figures point to that consistently.
• In most municipalities, a food truck on private property still requires a permit.
• Every professional caterer is legally required to work with a HACCP plan.
• Always prepare for the weather. A tent or covered area is not an extra, it is essential.
• A good rule of thumb is 1 food truck for every 60 to 80 guests if you want to keep waiting times reasonable.

Introduction (Services)

This is something La Casserole sees time and time again with couples getting married in Brabant: they want something less formal than a traditional buffet, choose a food truck for the atmosphere, and then underestimate the logistics and regulations behind it. The idea is simple. The execution is not.

The market helps explain why food trucks have become so popular. According to the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, the number of event catering businesses in the Netherlands grew more than sixfold between 2007 and 2024, reaching 27.000 companies. It is now the largest category within food and drink services, bigger than restaurants and cafés. Food trucks are part of that growth.

But hiring a food truck is not as simple as booking a nice-looking van. You need to think about permits, power supply that can actually handle the load, a kitchen setup that still works in the rain, and portions that make sense whether you have 80 guests or 150. This guide walks through each of those points, with practical numbers and the mistakes people make most often. If you want to look at the bigger planning picture, you can also read the full guide on how to plan a wedding or private party without the stress.

Why a food truck works so well for a wedding in Brabant

A food truck gives you both atmosphere and flexibility: guests can choose freshly prepared food when it suits them, without the formality of a plated dinner. That suits the warm, relaxed, food-loving style many couples in Brabant are after.

The region has the right infrastructure

Brabant is made for catering. According to the CBS, North Brabant accounts for 13 percent of all food and drink businesses in the Netherlands and ranks among the three busiest hospitality provinces, alongside North Holland and South Holland. In real terms, that means a strong network of suppliers, venues, and event partners all within easy driving distance. Planning a food truck wedding around Eindhoven, Den Bosch, or Helmond is very doable, even on a weekday.

It fits the way couples celebrate now

The shift toward more informal weddings is still going strong. Drinks and dinner blend together, guests move around rather than staying seated, and the schedule feels less rigid. A food truck works beautifully in that kind of setting because the kitchen becomes part of the experience and service can run continuously. Picture a couple hosting an evening garden wedding for 110 guests: a pasta or grill truck serving throughout the evening keeps the energy up and avoids that awkward lull between the ceremony and the party.

The food can absolutely match a formal dinner

One of the biggest misconceptions is that food truck catering automatically means casual food. That is no longer true. With a well-designed menu and a proper chef behind it, you can get restaurant-quality food in a more relaxed format. La Casserole combines mobile kitchens with its own culinary style, so a street food setup can still feel like a polished multi-course experience.

How to put this into practice:

• Make sure your venue has enough room. Allow at least 4 by 6 metres of manoeuvring space per truck, including the serving side.
• Decide in advance how service will work: continuous throughout the evening, or in two waves with a clear start time.
• If you have more than 80 guests, consider a second truck or an additional snack station to keep queues down.
• Ask your caterer for a tasting menu so you can judge the food itself, not just the concept.

How do you handle permits and food safety?

In most Dutch municipalities, a food truck on private property requires a permit, and the caterer must legally work with a HACCP food safety plan. These are the two areas where couples most often get caught out.

The permit is not a small detail

A lot of people assume that if the truck is on their own property, anything goes. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. According to Ondernemersplein, the rules vary by municipality because each one sets its own local regulations. In practice, serving food and drinks from a private site often requires a location permit or event permit. Check with your municipality at least six to eight weeks in advance, because processing times vary.

HACCP is mandatory, even at a wedding

Food safety is not optional. According to the Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit, anyone who prepares and sells food multiple times a year, including at events and weddings, must work with a HACCP plan. The NVWA monitors this and can issue warnings or fines if standards are not met. A professional caterer will have this covered. A friend with a borrowed grill will not.

Allergens and temperature control matter

Alongside HACCP rules, caterers must also be able to identify the 14 legally recognised allergens for every dish. With an outdoor food truck setup, temperature control becomes especially important. Cold dishes generally need to stay below 7 degrees, while hot food should stay above 60. A caterer using mobile refrigeration and core temperature checks reduces the risk of problems on a warm wedding day. If you want to know why it is easier to have one party manage all of this, take a look at the article on why full-service catering makes your event stress-free.

How to put this into practice:

• Contact your municipality at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance about the required permit.
• Ask the caterer in writing to confirm their HACCP plan and liability insurance.
• Request an allergen list for each dish, especially if guests have known intolerances.
• Check whether the truck brings its own cooling and heating equipment, or depends on your power supply.

Step by step: how to plan a food truck wedding without the hassle

A food truck wedding works best when you plan in the right order: first the concept and guest count, then the venue and technical setup, then the menu and execution. These six steps follow that order.

Step 1: Decide on the concept and guest count

Start by choosing the type of food you want, such as grill, pasta, Mediterranean, or street food, along with your estimated guest count. Those two decisions shape everything else. As a rule of thumb, plan on one food truck for every 60 to 80 guests if you want to keep queues manageable. La Casserole uses the guest count to determine the right number of trucks and serving points.

Step 2: Check the venue and access

Make sure the truck can physically reach the location. A gate that is only 2,5 metres wide or soft garden ground can become a real problem. Also look at how far guests will need to walk to collect their food. A venue like Het Ketelhuis in Eindhoven has the space and infrastructure for this kind of setup. For more guidance on choosing the right setting, see the article on choosing a party venue in Brabant.

Step 3: Arrange power, water, and a weather plan

A food truck often needs 16 to 32 amps, which is more than a standard garden connection can provide. You may need a generator or industrial power supply, and you should always have a tent or covered area as a weather backup. For a more detailed look at avoiding technical headaches, read the guide to catering for a garden party without power or weather issues.

Step 4: Finalise the menu and allergen list

Choose two to four main dishes, plus at least one vegetarian and one gluten-free option, and document the 14 allergens for each dish. If the menu is too long, service slows down. Keep it focused.

Step 5: Plan service and timing

Decide whether guests will collect their own food or whether staff will circulate with canapés in the meantime. For the period between the ceremony and the main food service, a drinks and bites setup works especially well.

Step 6: Put one party in charge

Try to place catering, technical setup, permit checks, and service under one lead contact. That way, you are not the person connecting four separate suppliers on your wedding day.

How to put this into practice:

• Build a timeline covering truck arrival, setup, first service, and breakdown.
• Allow 90 to 120 minutes of setup time before the first guest arrives.
• Assign one person to each step, not several.
• Create a fallback plan: what happens if it starts raining at 17.00?

What does a food truck cost for a wedding?

Catering is usually the biggest item in a wedding budget, and a food truck often falls somewhere between a buffet and a plated dinner in terms of price. The exact cost depends on the menu, the number of guests, and the technical setup around it.

Catering is usually the biggest budget item

According to figures from Trouwredes.nl referencing Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, catering takes up an average of 35 percent of the total wedding budget, which comes to just over 4.900 euro for an average wedding budget of 14.000 euro. Catering prices have also risen by around 18 percent since 2022 due to inflation. A realistic budget should take that into account.

What is and is not included in the price

A food truck quote can sometimes look attractively low, but it is the extras that matter: permits, generator hire, tent rental, service staff, and transport. Those costs can be the difference between a basic quote and a complete one. Always ask for a full price that includes these items.

Comparing three catering formats

These figures are only an indication and vary depending on menu, season, and guest count. La Casserole does not work with one flat rate, but prices each event according to the format and location, as also explained in the overview of catering costs in Brabant per person.

How to put this into practice:

• Start by allocating around 35% of your total budget to catering.
• Request at least two quotes and compare what is and is not included.
• Always factor in extras like power, tent hire, and transport from the start.
• If your budget is tight, choose one strong truck plus drinks bites rather than booking two trucks.

Professional tips for a stylish food truck wedding

The difference between a beautiful food truck wedding and one that feels chaotic comes down to styling, timing, and coordination, not just the food. These are practical lessons from the event catering world.

Make the truck part of the setting

A food truck is out in the open, so it becomes part of your visual styling whether you plan for that or not. Dress the area around it with high tables, festoon lighting, or greenery so it feels intentional and inviting rather than like a vehicle parked off to the side.

Match capacity to the flow of the day

If everyone heads for food at exactly the same moment, for example straight after the speeches, you will get a queue. Stagger service or add a second serving point. La Casserole calculates the number of serving points needed based on your guest count to keep waiting times under ten minutes.

Combine mobile concepts thoughtfully

A food truck also pairs well with a mobile coffee bar or a dessert station. That keeps the evening varied without putting everything on one kitchen.

How to put this into practice:

• Do not schedule the main food service immediately after speeches. Leave a 15 minute gap.
• Match the styling around the truck to your colour palette.
• Add a second mobile concept, such as coffee or dessert, if you have more than 100 guests.
• Ask the caterer to estimate waiting times in advance, and aim for no more than 10 minutes.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most food truck weddings do not go wrong because of the food itself. Problems usually come from power, permits, and queues. These are the issues that come up most often.

Underestimating the power supply

This is the classic mistake: the truck is plugged into a normal outlet and the power cuts out during peak service. A professional caterer will calculate power needs in advance and bring a generator if necessary.

Having no weather backup

A garden wedding without shelter is a gamble. Rain or intense sun can disrupt service completely. Always plan a tent or covered area, no matter what the forecast says at the time.

Leaving permits too late

Municipalities need time. If you only start asking questions three weeks beforehand, you may end up without the right permit. Start at least six to eight weeks in advance, and let your caterer handle this if they are managing the overall setup.

How to put this into practice:

• Ask the caterer to calculate the power requirement in writing before you sign anything.
• Book a tent or covered area as standard, even if the forecast looks great.
• Put the permit application at the top of your planning list, not at the bottom.
• Make sure truck access and parking space have been arranged.

Frequently asked questions

What is a food truck wedding and how does it work?

A food truck wedding is a wedding celebration where one or more mobile kitchens prepare and serve fresh food on site, instead of using a fixed buffet or plated dinner. Guests can collect food throughout the service window, which creates a relaxed and lively atmosphere. A good rule of thumb is one truck for every 60 to 80 guests if you want reasonable waiting times.

Do I need a permit for a food truck in my garden?

Yes, in most cases you do. According to Ondernemersplein, the exact rules depend on your municipality, but serving food from private property often requires a local permit or event permit. Check at least six to eight weeks in advance, since approval times vary.

How much does a food truck for a wedding usually cost?

Catering is usually the biggest part of the budget, averaging about 35 percent of total wedding spend according to Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, which works out at just over 4.900 euro on a 14.000 euro wedding. A food truck often falls between a buffet and a plated dinner in terms of price per guest, with an indicative range of 35 to 55 euro. Always include extras like power, tent hire, and transport in your calculations.

Is food truck catering safe and hygienic for a wedding?

Yes, as long as you hire a professional caterer. The NVWA requires any caterer who prepares and sells food multiple times a year to work with a HACCP food safety plan, including at weddings. Always ask the supplier to confirm this in writing, along with how they manage refrigeration and temperature control, especially for an outdoor summer event.

How does La Casserole help with a food truck at my wedding?

La Casserole brings catering, technical setup, permit checks, and service together under one lead. With more than 40 years of experience, its own event venues in Brabant such as Het Ketelhuis in Eindhoven, and a trusted network of food truck partners, the company manages everything from the menu to the power supply. That means your wedding day stays stylish and stress-free, with one point of contact instead of a collection of separate suppliers.

Conclusion

A food truck can make a wedding in Brabant feel more relaxed while still raising the bar on food, but it only feels stylish and effortless if the planning is done properly. The usual stumbling blocks are easy to identify: permits that need to be arranged six to eight weeks ahead, power requirements that go beyond a standard garden socket, a weather backup with proper cover, a HACCP plan, and a menu supported by a clear allergen list. Get those four areas right and you are left with a wedding day where the kitchen becomes part of the experience and nobody is left waiting.

The continued growth of the event catering sector, outpacing restaurants over time, shows that this style of catering is here to stay. The real difference lies in how it is executed. La Casserole combines mobile kitchens with its own culinary identity, its own venues in Brabant, and one central point of contact, so the couple can enjoy the day without managing logistics themselves. Start with the concept and guest count, then leave the practical puzzle to a team that has solved it many times before.

← Back to Blog