Trailer Treasures

A current trend quickly spreading across my native hometown of Austin and in other cities around the nation is mobile food vendors. Street corners and empty lots are filled with trucks and trailers serving all different kinds of dishes and flavors. Some of my favorites in Austin include Flip Happy Crepes and Gourdough’s gourmet doughnuts. Recently I’ve noticed that several other types of Airstream businesses have popped up as well, including gift shops and clothing boutiques. These stores and eateries create a unique dining or shopping experience with a casual feel, and could be a really fun and memorable element added to your wedding day.

There are several ways to incorporate this trend into your reception, the most obvious one being food. I know for some people the words “food trailer” may call to mind a sketchy, health-code-violating taco truck, but hopefully you know that’s not what I’m talking about. (Think cuter, tastier and much cleaner, and you’ve got it). Whether you’re serving a full dinner or just appetizers, there are plenty of trailers available that can meet your needs. The wide variety of cuisines allows you to serve your guests whatever flavors you want, and even invite them to try something completely new. Food trucks create a casual, laid-back atmosphere, so if you’re planning a formal wedding you will probably want to go with a traditional caterer.

It’s also possible to find a mobile vendor that sells just about any kind of sugary indulgence you could ever want, so if your heart desires cupcakes, pies, snow cones, or all three, there’s no limit on what kind of sweet desserts you can offer your friends and family.

If you do choose to have dinner catered through a trailer, you’re guests could end up waiting in line for a while. Hungry/grumpy people make terrible company, so I’ve found a few tips to help keep things moving. If you have close to 200 or more people coming to celebrate, you may want to enlist the help of two trucks. I also suggest working with the cooks ahead of time and narrowing the menu down to keep things streamlined and simple. In order to really get things going you could also set up tables in front of the truck and serve individual dishes buffet-style.

As I mentioned, these trendy little trailers aren’t just for filling your stomachs. Cute vintage trailers can be rented as lounges for an outdoor wedding or for decoration. Some venues, like Three Points Ranch, use Airstreams for the bridal party to get ready in. Photo booths have almost become a wedding staple, but I bet you’ve never been to a wedding with an Airstream photo booth. Some, like Bambi Booth, will even print your pictures right then and there. I’ve also seen movie trucks that create a drive-in-movie feel, which could be a fun element for the reception after dark.

Now, as much as I love the mobile vendor experience, you probably don’t want it to look like you’re getting married in a trailer park. You’ll have to curb the temptation to hire a bunch of trucks, or at least arrange it so that different vendors come and go at different times during the reception. Perhaps a late night ice cream truck to send guests home happy? Regardless of how you do it, hiring a mobile vendor will add a unique touch to your wedding and provide your friends and family with a new, fun experience.

I'm always looking for a new trailer to try, so tell me which ones are your favorites here or tweet me @MJGest


Blog Originally posted here at Blue Goose Celebrations

Photo Credits: Flip Happy Examiner | Gourdough's Video City Guide | Pie Pop Sugar | Cupcake Vintage Modern Wife | Bride Once Wed | Photo Booth Bambi Booth