If you’re planning a Pennsylvania wedding, here’s something you’ve probably already discovered: Food plays a HUGE part in how your day feels. It’s not just about what’s on the plate, it’s about how the story of your wedding comes to life through every bite, every course, and every moment guests are gathered around a table.

That’s why I loved this conversation with Brian, chef & owner of Farmacy Cafe & Catering at Historic Ashland. His path into catering isn’t polished or predictable—and honestly, that’s exactly what makes his insight so valuable for couples trying to choose the right team for their day.

I’m James, a wedding filmmaker based in Lancaster, PA. After years of filming wedding days and working alongside incredible vendors, I started this podcast to highlight the people who truly make weddings unforgettable. Whether you’re a couple planning your big day or a vendor deep in the industry, these conversations are packed with honest insight, real stories, and a whole lot of heart.

Let’s walk through his story, what he’s learned, and what it means for couples planning Pennsylvania weddings today.

How Brian’s Journey Led Him To Wedding Catering

Brian didn’t grow up in a kitchen dreaming of wedding catering. He studied education, worked a typical office job, and reached a point where he realized he wanted something more. That led him back to culinary school, through the café world, and eventually into becoming one of the most trusted Pennsylvania caterers in the region.

The turning point? A Pennsylvania wedding show that blew the doors open on demand and pushed him to expand his services. The thing that carried him through all of that change: saying yes to opportunities that stretched him and building a team capable of executing in any setting.

Why Catering Pennsylvania Weddings Is a Whole Different Ballgame

In a café, everything is controlled.
At Pennsylvania weddings, everything is… not.

One weekend you’re plating dinner in a mansion.
The next, you’re firing up a grill behind a barn.
The next, you’re managing cocktail hour across a lawn with a long walk to the kitchen.

Brian explains that this kind of work requires two things above all:

1. Versatility in the Kitchen

Menus have to flex with the venue, the weather, the available equipment, the couple’s tastes, and sometimes even the terrain. His team moves from seafood to barbecue to brunch spreads. Whatever fits the couple and the space is what Brian serves.

2. Logistics That Run Like a Machine

And this is the part couples rarely see: refrigeration planning, power and generator needs, handwashing setups, equipment staging, backup fuel and timing and crew roles.

Brian has built tight system that allows everything to run smoothly no matter what is thrown his way.

What New Caterers and Couples Should Know About the Industry

Brian doesn’t sugarcoat it: You can’t learn catering from a textbook. You learn it on real wedding days. And when it comes to Pennsylvania weddings, unexpected challenges are part of the job. Rain, wind, long load-ins, changing timelines, it all happens. Great caterers don’t panic; they adapt.

He also emphasizes how important vendor relationships are. When the planner, caterer, and venue are on the same page, everything improves. From guest experience to food quality, from pacing to overall flow, every vendor is working for the same goal of celebrating our couples well. 

Questions Every Couple Should Ask Their Pennsylvania Caterer

This is where Brian’s advice becomes pure gold for couples:

• What will be cooked on-site?
  
• How is hot food kept hot and cold food kept cold?
  
• What service styles do you offer?
  
• How many passed apps per guest during cocktail hour?
  
• What does your team structure look like on a typical wedding day?
  

These questions reveal whether a caterer prioritizes freshness, efficiency, and guest experience.

And one of Brian’s superpowers is weaving the couple’s story into the menu, maybe a dish from a first date, a travel memory, or a family tradition. These touches bring personality without slowing down service.

Why Tastings Matter (and What They Reveal)

Whether couples taste before booking or after securing their date, Brian treats tastings as a collaborative working session. He uses that time to dial in flavors and textures, talk pacing and plating, discuss weather backups, explain service flow and team roles.

It’s where the couple starts understanding what their caterer is truly capable of and what their wedding day will feel like from behind the scenes.

A Takeaway for Couples Planning a Pennsylvania Wedding

At the end of the day, here’s what stood out most in this conversation:

Great catering isn’t only about great food, it’s about great planning, great communication, and great people.

If you’re choosing a caterer for your Pennsylvania wedding, look for the team that’s prepared, experienced, calm under pressure, and committed to serving your story, not just your menu.

Behind every smooth wedding meal is a team that cared enough to plan for the things you’ll never even know happened.

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