When you work with a catering company, there are certain things you can expect in terms of the staff’s ability to help you plan your event. For most people, their expectations of caterers are limited to planning the menu. Working closely with your caterers on the menu is a great idea—they have tons of experience that gives them the ability to provide you with invaluable insight, on everything from which dishes are more popular with guests to how to accommodate different group sizes.
However, you should know that your catering company’s ability to help plan your event extends far beyond the reaches of the menu. Many people don’t realize just how instrumental their caterers can be in the planning process. It’s to your advantage to learn about the additional ways that a catering company can help you get ready for your big event.
1. Choosing the Venue
It can be difficult to choose a venue based on thebasic information that is available to you from internet searches and venue specification packets. When consulting with a venue, you have access to all of the technical details, from rental costs to venue capacity, but it’s often the subjective details of a venue that end up making it the right choice for your event.
The ability to get advice from people who have had previous experiences with the venues you’re considering can make a world of difference. They can tell you how events have turned out when hosted in different spaces. A catering company that has had experience working with hundreds of different venues is in a great position to give you the advice you need.
As you’re already working with your caterer closely on the menu, with considerations to aesthetic, theme, and guest size, the caterer will have an idea of what you’re looking for in a venue and can offer expert recommendations.Their knowledge of venues is invaluable.
2. Handling the Décor
The creative presentation of the food is very important, but so too is the décor of the venue where the food will be served. While a venue provides you with the physical space in which to host your event, the décor that sets the atmosphere for the evening is entirely up to you.
From the floral arrangements scattered throughout the room to the specialty linens needed for each table, the small details that make up the décor go a long way in establishing the tone of your event. Your catering company may have contacts with rental companies that can help with the cohesive look of your event.
The catering company that you are working with can help ensure that the décor meets your standards and pairs well with the food that is being offered. If requested, most caterers can provide a service where they don’t just serve the food, but also make sure the décor is taken care of in advance of the event. This includes coming in early to ensure that everything looks perfect and is ready for the celebrations.
3. Dealing with Vendors
While we tend to think of event planning as being largely about making sure the big details are taken care of, it’s often the small details that can trip you up in the long run. When planning an event, you end up dealing with a huge number of vendors.
Rentals are often needed for things as diverse as flatware and stemware to patio and lounge furniture. If your event is taking place outdoors, there are tents and other outdoor amenities that need to be rented. Lighting and sound systems also need to be considered.
In this regard, too, your catering company can be a huge asset. From their previous experiences in catering, caterers often have numerous recommendations and valuable contacts with vendors. Their ability to call on these contacts can mean the process running smoother or even you receiving special deals or breaks on some of the necessary rentals—not to mention being able to coordinate all of the deliveries and pickups.
