It's your big day! At least, it's coming up soon. Choosing the 'just right' catering services for wedding events is a major part of the planning process. You've asked your friends and family for recommendations, checked out some of the online reviews and narrowed your caterer search down to the top few. Now what? It's time to get down to business. You're set to interview potential wedding catering services and you need to know what to ask. Before heading out to a meeting with any caterer write down (or put a note into your phone) a few questions. If you're not sure what to ask, read on for some simple suggestions.
Included and Not Included Services
Okay, so obviously the food is included. That's what you're paying for. But, what else does the fee get you? Ask the caterer what standard services the fee covers. This could include set-up, clean-up, table service, champagne pouring/other beverage services, passing apps around, cake-cutting or dessert plating. Some of these services may be included in the overall price, and others may be add-ons. Get specific and ask what each add-on fee is. There may be different prices for different services.
Knowledge of the Venue
Has the caterer ever worked at your reception venue? While this is certainly not a prerequisite for hiring a caterer, it can make a difference when it comes to how smoothly your big day goes. A caterer who knows the venue well won't waste time asking where to bring the food in, how to set up or where amenities are. Along with this knowledge, a company that has experience with your venue may be able to provide suggestions or guidance based on their past experiences.
Number of Same-Day Events
How many events is the wedding catering service handling on your big day? A larger catering company may have multiple weddings or weddings and other events (such as birthday parties) on one day. If the company routinely packs in as many events as they can on one day, you might not get the service you need. Keep in mind, the number of events a company commits to and the personalized service that you get depend on the size of the caterer and their experience level. A brand new small-sized caterer probably won't be able to handle your wedding and the other two they have booked for the same day. But, a company that has been around for a decade and has several chefs and multiple service teams may not have any problems with booking multiple events.
Along with these questions, write down a few that are specific to your wedding, your needs and your wants. For example, if you're all about organic foods, you'll need to ask the caterer if they are able to create a 100% organic menu. When it comes down to it, this is your day. Be clear and let the caterer know what you expect from them. After all, you deserve the wedding of your dreams!
For more information, visit with a company like Mascaro's Catering.
