It’s Spotlight Day, where we introduce you to incredible Orlando wedding vendors and share the stories behind these companies who help Wedding Venue Map couples have their best wedding day.
Hiring the right wedding vendors is so important on your wedding day. The vendor sets the atmosphere of your special day.
It gives us great pleasure to introduce this week’s vendor spotlight, Alexia Gawlak of Swine & Sons.
When people ask “what do you do?” how do you answer?
We cook amazing food! And we consider every detail so the event runs seamlessly.
What did you do before you did this?
Owners Rhys and Alexia cooked for and managed the kitchens of several high-end restaurants in Winter Park, specifically Luma, Ravenous Pig, and Cask & Larder.
When and how did you get into the wedding industry?
Just a year after opening Swine & Sons as a sandwich shop, a friend asked if they would cater his upcoming wedding. Rhys and Alexia said yes, and ended up having a great time doing it.
How long would you say you’ve been doing what you do today?
Swine & Sons have catered weddings since November 2015.
Tell us about your most memorable event so far and why it was.
At a recent wedding for a vegan couple, we were able to get creative with the menu. We created a vegan charcuterie & cheese display with Mediterranean flavors and a dinner buffet with cauliflower shawarma, black-eyed pea “meatballs,” and more. The wedding was over-the-top gorgeous with a Bohemian flair, including giant teepees for guest seating. The best part was at the end, though, when the happy couple gave us hugs and thanked us for our hard work and delicious food.
What’s the best part of your job?
When it all comes together on the wedding day. Things are running smoothly and everyone is smiling, happy, and fed.
What is the best compliment you’ve received from your clients?
“I never liked ____ until I tried yours!”
What is the most unique service/product you offer?
Whole smoked pig. We smoke it on-site, pick and toss the meat, then place the whole pig on the display for an exciting centerpiece. On the flip side, our chefs can curate special menus just for you.
Use THREE words to describe your business.
Delicious. Heartfelt. Hospitality.
What makes your business stand out from others in your category?
Rustic chic decor, attention to detail, chef-driven menus, hot fresh food.
Why do couples hire you?
Couples hire us because they want the best food for guests on their wedding day.
What does your most popular package include?
Small bites display for cocktail hour, upscale barbecue dinner buffet, batched cocktails at the bar.
Why do you think your business is successful?
The passion and professionalism of everyone working for the company make us successful, guided by the oversight and vision of the chef-owners.
Tell us briefly about some of your package options. What is the price range for these packages?
Starting at $45 per person, we offer full-service barbecue or whole smoked pig with sides. Small bites for a cocktail hour starts at $20 per person. Charcuterie & cheese display for cocktail hour starts at $10 per person. Full-service menus with seasonal ingredients start at $65 per person.
The best piece of advice for brides or grooms.
Hire a wedding planner or at least a day-of planner. You want to be able to enjoy your day stress-free.
What current trends have you seen at weddings that personally like the most?
The buffet-style service has become popular, which is great because guests make their own plates and can come back for seconds.
Name three unique venues that you enjoy working at and why.
The Acre – A beautiful secret garden in the city with unique spaces for the dance floor, guest seating, and bar.
The Capen House at the Polasek – Historic building and charm on the Winter Park chain of lakes.
Winter Park Farmers Market – Downtown Winter Park location with lots of potential for an understated, yet elegant, wedding.
Swine and Sons catering at The Acre in Orlando, Florida.
What some of their previous couples had to say….
“When almost every guest says, ‘This is the best wedding food I’ve ever had!’ you know you made the right decision in choosing a caterer. Not only were the food displays perfect, but the caterers were professional and friendly. Alexia was an absolute pleasure to work with and we allowed her to have creative freedom. We wanted high-end barbeque and that is exactly what we got! My husband and I are trying to come up with an excuse to hire them again. Thank you for adding to our special day!” – Jenna C, The Acre
“If there’s one thing people are still talking about when it comes to our wedding, it’s THE FOOD. It’s been almost a year and our guests are STILL raving about the amazing meal Swine & Sons prepared and provided. From the very first line of communication, I knew we had made the right choice. Alexia and Rhys are a husband-and-wife team that run the ship, and they were dead set on making us happy every step of the way. They turned what could be a really stressful aspect of wedding planning into an easy breezy and comfortable experience. There were so many food options to choose from to accommodate everyone, from picky kids to gluten sensitivity, to vegetarian and vegan options. Communication was very open and lightning fast, I was never left with a question about anything. And the food, OH MY GOD the food!! We did a whole suckling pig which was BEAUTIFUL. All of the sides were delicious and memorable. The presentation was very classy and everyone was so professional. They singlehandedly made my wedding PERFECT.” – Erica R, The Acre
“My husband and I booked Swine & Sons for our vegan (I know, doesn’t make sense right? But it does!) wedding and we were blown away. We may be vegan, but we also enjoy incredible food. So we wanted the best in Orlando. We went to Swine & Sons to see if they could make some vegan options and they were outstanding. From the planning to the day of service. Everything was worth every penny and more.”
– Mary M, The Acre
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