Of all the responsibilities brides- and grooms-to-be have to handle, choosing a caterer is one of the most vital and one of the most enjoyable ones. Why is that? Once you've narrowed down a list of potential caterers, you will usually get a chance to sample the dishes they specialize in. In fact, this is one of the duties grooms-to-be usually like best!But slow down -- before you get to the tasting stage with your wedding caterer, you have to find the right one. And before you can find the right one, it's important that you study up a little on the ins and outs of wedding catering. Here are some things you should know before jumping into the world of wedding catering feet first:
- As far as expenses and wedding budgets go, your wedding catering or food bill is typically your largest expense, coming in at 45% to 50% of most wedding budgets. So choose your caterer carefully! Spend plenty of time with your caterer talking about your budget, the style of reception you'd like (i.e. buffet, food stations, sit down dinner or cocktail reception) and the types of food that you'd like to serve.
- Don't hesitate to check references. Many brides ask for references and receive them, but never call. Make at least TWO reference phone calls before you settle on a particular caterer. Don't by shy -- remember, newlyweds love to talk about their wedding!
- Service is almost as important as food when it comes to choosing a wedding caterer. Be sure to ask any prospective caterers about the ratio of servers to guests at a typical wedding. This can vary depending on the type of reception (seated dinner versus buffet) and the types of food being served, but it's nice to have at least one server per eight guests.
- Be sure to ask about the dinnerware or china they will provide, if any. Some caterers provide food, but work with the flatware and serving trays provided by the reception venue. Others do bring dinnerware and more with them, but it may not be as nice as that provided by the reception venue. Ask to see samples to make sure that their place settings compliment the rest of your wedding decor.
- Find out what decorations are included in the caterer's price. Ask to see pictures of their table displays. Some caterers that do buffets or food stations will include floral arrangements and other decorations. Other caterers do amazing and artful things with the food itself, like carved squashes or melon baskets. Even if such things haven't come up yet, ask for what you want. The worst the a prospective caterer can say is "Sorry, we aren't equipped to do that."
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