Speak with Local Caterers

One of the things that guests could very well remember about your wedding is the food. If you have an outstanding meal, your wedding guests will be sure to remember that. Alternatively if the food is awful the guests may remember that too, but that won’t happen under your watch when you’re spending time talking to the best caterers. You may very well have a vision of what you want the menu to be and that’s a great starting point. Even if you don’t, you want to take the time to do a bit of research and then meet with caterers to get the menu nailed down.

You want to customize the food for your wedding to the number of guests and the type of wedding it is. If for example you are having an outdoor wedding, then you want to keep it light. If you’re having an afternoon wedding reception, then you want to go with entrees that are not so heavy. If you’re having your reception at an unusual or really fun venue, then you want to make the food something interesting like a strolling buffet. Be sure to research not only some good food choices, but also how it is served. Many weddings go the traditional route and provide plated dinners to all of their guests. While this traditional choice is just fine, you can get a bit more creative. Serving family style can provide a very full menu and make the reception that much more unique and fun. This is particularly fun if your wedding is taking after a particular culture such as Italian where the food is plentiful and easy to share.

You want to be sure to provide food choices that will work for everyone. This means that if you know there’s the chance of vegetarians attending the wedding reception that you offer a choice for them. You don’t want to have all meat or all seafood so that you appeal to the masses. Take the time to look into what your options might be based on the reception hall. Often times they will have recommendations and options that are sure to appeal to the masses. Go for a food tasting so that you know what the meal will taste like and enjoy the whole ambiance so you can put yourself in the proper setting. This can help you to narrow your list.

If you are responsible for providing your own caterer at your selected wedding venue, then be sure to properly interview each of them on your narrowed list. You can find some great ones in your area using a catering directory such as EventCatering.com. You want to understand cost, the format and flow at the wedding reception, and what foods can be offered. You want to taste the food to be sure that it meets your standards. Remember that the food tasting while very important is also a really fun part of the wedding planning!

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Questions to ask potential Caterers

Interview Several Potential Caterers

Where do you start when choosing a caterer? Do you remember going to another wedding or event where you savored the food and your mouth is watering right now thinking of it? Getting the name of caterers that your friends have used will take some of the researching out of this decision..

Caterers will give you a quote based on your number of guests so make sure you have performed your “Creating Your Guest List” task before finalizing on a caterer. Get a price sheet of the entrees they serve along with their prices. Make sure to set a tasting appointment before any contract is signed. If you were not satisfied with the first tasting and you wanted to change the spicyness, or some other aspect of the food, make sure to ask for a second tasting. You want to feel confident that the food will taste great at your wedding.

Meet with 2-3 local caterers, sampling their food, and making sure the outside caterer you hire is right for you. During the interview process, here are some questions to ask each catering company:

What is your specialty? Do you have a signature dish?

Where is the food cooked? Is your kitchen near the venue?

How is the food transported? When do you bring the food to the venue?

Are additional cooking facilities needed at the reception site?

Is the food prepared from fresh ingredients, or frozen?

Who keeps the leftovers?

Will your provide servers? If so, how many servers per guest?

Are you licensed by the state? By the health department?

Do you provide table decorations? chair decorations?

How much deposit must be paid? When is the balance due?

How are the charges calculated? Per person? Per plate? Are tips included in the fees?

Will there an on-site supervisor on the day of the wedding?

What is the price difference between serving a buffet or plate dinners?

Are you able to provide special order or child-friendly meals (if needed)?

Ask if there are ways to reduce the per person cost. Caterers can be creative in reducing costs, you just need to ask.