Guests are looking forward to celebrating your nuptials with delicious food, which makes the wedding meal an important part of the big day. But while planning your wedding, it can be hard to find the perfect wedding caterer.These seven tips make it easy.
1. Research Ahead
Be sure to research several caterers in your area to get the full picture of companies available and any news about them. Go online, talk to newly married friends, and ask venues for recommendations. Check the caterer’s company website, social media profiles, and third-party review sites to get as much information as possible to allow you to make the best decision.
2. Ask for References
Don’t limit your research to what you read online. Caterers’ past clients are an incredibly beneficial resource on your hunt for the perfect wedding caterer. Former clients provide an outside perspective regarding your potential options. A caterer may be able to offer you past clients’ phone numbers so you can learn more about their experiences with the caterer.
3. See If They’re Experienced
The caterer you choose should know their industry inside and out. They have the experience working the kind of event you need them for, whether it’s because they specialize in catering small, intimate affairs or focus on large, exuberant receptions.
Ask how familiar they are with your wedding reception style and vision, so you can rest assured they have the skills to bring it to life.
4. Confirm Their Availability
Don’t automatically assume all caterers are free the day of your wedding. This is especially important to verify during busier times of the year, such as in the summer.
Confirm that their availability includes the entire day. The perfect wedding caterer should be catering solely to your event that day in order to be readily available and ensure everything goes as planned.
5. Compare Quotes and Services
It’s hard to find the perfect wedding caterer when you have no other company to compare it against. One might have a Michelin-starred menu but leave you to provide linens and glassware—additional costs you’ll have to pay. Another company may present a menu that’s more home comfort than high-calibre cuisine, but it includes those extra services in the price.
Quote several caterers before you say yes. Ask each caterer to include the services they provide, taxes, corkage fees, and other applicable costs. Review each one carefully so you can make a truly informed decision.
6. Ask to Taste Test
Request a taste test of the wedding menu beforehand so you can ensure it tastes as good as it looks. Start arranging a taste test once you’ve narrowed your options down to two or three catering companies. You want to verify that the quality, style, and presentation live up to your expectations. This gives you an idea of how the meal will play out on the actual day.
7. Confirm Their Willingness to Adapt
You want a wedding caterer who brings your vision to life and can please any palette. They need to know the essential wedding details, and this includes accommodating the variety of hungry guests attending. A caterer who cannot, or is unwilling, to adapt their menu to include options for your vegetarians, vegan, dairy-free, and kosher guests won’t be the one you choose.
Inquire how they modify the menu for dishes everyone can enjoy, and if there are any 2018 wedding catering trends they can include. You want to make sure all of your guests enjoy a delicious menu on your wedding day.
