Boutique Wedding Catering in New Jersey: Michelle D’Anna on Creating Unforgettable Events

But it’s never just about the food—it’s about creating an experience.

“For most people, food is very important—for any event: milestone birthday, weddings, micro weddings, engagement parties,” Michelle shared. “And it’s also about the style. Do you want cocktails? Do you want your guests mingling? Do you want them to sit down? Do you want free-flowing stations and people bopping around? It’s really part of the atmosphere… the flow… to create what you want.”

Michelle encourages clients to bring their vision to the table—literally. “I like vision boards a lot,” she said. “Brides, grooms, hosts… to say, ‘This is my vision.’ And we help you create that and work within the budget at the same time.”

While off-premise weddings and events can feel overwhelming to some, Michelle reassures clients that her team makes it easy. “We are a one-stop shop,” she said. “We can do all of it, or we can just bring the food. It’s really up to you and what you want the day to look like… what the experience is going to look like.”

And even if you only need catering, Michelle’s team still supports your vision. “We can help guide in every situation, even if we’re not doing everything… even if we’re not doing the rentals.”

So how does it all start? “First, we get the main details,” Michelle explained. “How many people are you expecting? I know it’s hard in the beginning, but an approximation—everybody has an approximate. Then we can start working with what works for that amount of guests: stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, or a sit-down dinner.”

When asked if there’s a minimum or maximum guest count, Michelle answered simply: “We don’t. I’ve done high-end 18-person corporate events, and I’ve done 300 people for a wedding. Or 40 people for a 40th birthday party in a backyard. We’re quite flexible.”

Hospitality Is at the Heart of Michelle’s Catering

Hospitality is where Michelle’s Catering truly shines. “We have a staff that is pure hospitality,” she said. “It’s really important…to have people accommodating your guests.”

That attention to guests includes onsite coordinators and dietary accommodations. “There’s always someone taking care of the host—especially at a wedding. Brides, grooms, parents… special people. We accommodate anyone with special dietary needs.”

And when it comes to managing the flow of an event? “The day goes by very quickly—even for us who are working, it flies by,” Michelle said. “There are so many elements to it. I’ve also done very simple [events]—‘We don’t want any announcements; we just want to dance.’ It’s all about what the hosts want for their day.”

“We’re finding people are really looking for the fun aspect of an event,” Michelle noted. “Not so much a buffet. But interactive stations they can go to and bounce around, along with passed hors d’oeuvres.”

And dessert is evolving, too. “People love passed desserts,” she said. “Ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream cones, dessert shots, milkshakes…cookies and milk. Where we’re coming to you with the desserts.”

Another trend? Family-style dining. “It gets people talking…you’re passing salad around or charcuterie boards, and you’re actually interacting with other guests.”

One of the defining differences with Michelle’s Catering is the deeply personal touch. “They’re not just numbers at a table,” Michelle said. “They’re actual people that have personalities and requirements and needs. And that’s what we’re there for.”

She and her husband, Executive Chef Anthony D’Anna, are involved in every single event. “We don’t triple up. We don’t do three at a time,” she explained. “We do one event at a time so that we are on site. Most of the time it’s both of us—Anthony’s in the kitchen running the back of the house, and I’m in the front.”

It’s this level of personal investment that ensures events run smoothly—even when surprises pop up. “We are problem solvers on our feet always,” Michelle said. “Hopefully we’re planning it so that it’s a flawless day, but you know how that goes.”

She shared one story about a client who handled rentals. “We’re setting tables in this tent—six feet apart—and there are no forks. No forks whatsoever.” The team sprang into action, ordering replacements online and racing to get them delivered in time. The guests never knew a thing.

Michelle is also deeply inspired by menus that reflect the couple’s tastes, heritage, and creativity. “These are the most important people in their lives for that day,” she said. “They know what they like to eat. They know what they like to drink. We try and gear that toward the family…the ethnic backgrounds…whatever they like.”

Even the layout can be tailored. “You could do stations for cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, then more stations for dinner, and then more stations for dessert,” she suggested. “Coffee, milkshake martinis with cordials… anything that’s a little different. Not something they’ve seen before.”

And when Michelle imagines her own dream party? “I like to pick,” she said. “Small stations, not overwhelming. Very simple, very elegant, very fresh, very seasonal. And I always love a passed hors d’oeuvre.”

For Michelle, each event is a unique collaboration—never a carbon copy. “It’s highly personalized here. I think that’s the key. It’s not just like you’re “number 10 on Saturday”. It’s one of one.”

From signature menus and themed decor to thoughtful service and expert coordination, Michelle’s Catering creates events that feel as good as they taste. “We want to create something that is an experience people talk about long after the dessert shot,” she said. “That’s what makes it a great day.”

Want to start your own event journey with Michelle’s Catering?

Explore our custom menus, event design services, and rentals. Reach out to share your thoughts—and bring your appetite.