Delicious food and seamless service are critical pillars of a dream wedding. However, getting a good caterer for your event is easier said than done unless you are a professional events planner.
While weddings are all about celebrating love, food is the highlight of your big event. You also want to ensure your guests are not hungry, so delicious food is non-negotiable. Hiring a caterer is essential in your wedding planning and should be taken care of as soon as possible.
So, what must you consider when choosing a caterer to ensure your wedding menu has everything you need? Here are the considerations to make during your search.
1. Cost
Cost of service is one of the most important considerations, as it will be one of the deciding factors in your choice of caterer. Before anything else, you must have a clear budget to compare against the quote you will be issued.
Don’t make the mistake that most couples make of thinking that paying more guarantees excellent service. Expensive catering does not always mean you will get incredible service. That is why you must be vigilant and do some comparison shopping to get the most reasonable prices and value for money.
Get quotes from several vendors and decide how much you want to spend on your big day. It is recommended that you stick to your budget and avoid being tempted to add unnecessary items to ensure you get everything you need while at the same time not eating into money meant for other services.
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2. Menu Options
You must review the caterer’s specialties and menu options to get the best on your wedding menu list. Most people don’t know that different catering services suit varying events. You don’t want to engage a caterer with menu options suitable for birthday parties for your wedding.
Reviewing the menu options should help you find a caterer to meet your needs. For instance, if you want Italian cuisine for your wedding, it will be challenging for a catering service specializing in Japanese cuisine to deliver.
When hiring a catering company, consider their skill and experience. Also, remember to discuss any dietary restrictions your guests may have with the caterer and find out if they can accommodate them.
3. Menu Tasting
To avoid unwelcome surprises on your wedding day, it is essential to taste a caterer’s cuisine beforehand. While most catering services offer menu tastings, it is best not to assume you will get the opportunity to evaluate a caterer’s menu automatically.
Ensure the catering service you choose offers menu tasting, and you schedule a tasting to sample the food served at your wedding. Moving on to a different provider is best if a catering service doesn’t offer this.
If you are wondering why menu tasting is essential, confirming that the food aligns with your catering needs is the best way. It will also allow you to request changes and make other informed decisions surrounding the quality of the food to ensure guest satisfaction.
4. Staff Availability
The food may taste perfect, and a catering company quote can suit your budget. However, if the catering company does not have adequate staff, it will weigh down your guests’ experience. You need a catering company with enough staff to service your wedding.
The number of staff you need will depend on the size of your wedding, so it is wise to discuss your staffing needs with a caterer to ensure you have enough for your event.
So, how many servers do you need? This will depend on a couple of things, such as whether you will have a bar, sit-down dinner, or buffet. If you are going for a buffet, you might need two servers to cater to every thirty guests. So you have to think about this by considering the number of guests you expect.
You need at least one server for a table of six to eight for sit-down dinners. When it comes to bartenders, you will need more if your wedding reception will have a specialty drink station.
Before settling for a caterer, ensure they can serve your guests on the wedding day.
5. Get Recommendations from your Wedding Venue and other Vendors
Most wedding venues have in-house caterers. However, if they don’t, you can always ask the venue coordinator for referrals on catering companies they usually work with. The venue likely has a list of trusted vendors you can work with.
You can also get valuable recommendations from other vendors you are working with. Your wedding planner particularly can be a valuable resource.
Bottom Line
Your choice of caterers and vendors will determine the success of your wedding. Getting a good caterer can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be. All you have to do is have a comprehensive plan for your wedding catering and use it to find the right company for the job.
Use this guide to locate the best caterer for your big day, and don’t settle for one you lack confidence in. Many catering companies can deliver perfect services, so take your time and keep looking to find one that will meet your expectations.
