Your Meal

What you will be serving is an important question to ask when you are choosing your meal. It’s more than flavor; presentation and service are also big on the list to consider.

Having your meal catered by a professional ensures the details will be taken care of and none of your guests will have to miss out on the party because they are stuck in the kitchen.

Use the time of your reception to narrow your choices. If the dinner will be served earlier, a lighter meal is adequate, while a full meal is more common later in the day.

on-site option or hire your own

The venue you select will have some impact on the caterer you choose, as some locations require you use their on-site catering service or work within their list of preferred vendors.

These vendors will typically provide all china, flatware, glassware, service, clean up and gratuity in their catering price range.

A professional caterer will provide incomparable food with an excellent display. Services will usually include preparing the food, packaging it for wedding service, transporting it to the site, preparing the service table and providing staff for serving.

Before you choose your meal, do some research on a variety of vendors. Then, determine your preferences and set up an interview. While most caterers can offer a variety of cuisine, there are caterers who specialize in barbecue, ethnic cuisine or vegetarian menus.

consider the extras

As you can imagine, the more complex the décor and presentation of the food, the more labor hours it will take to create. Increasing the food quality will also result in a higher per-person cost for your reception. If your budget is limited, determine your priorities and spend the bulk of your catering dollars in that area.

booking your caterer

Complete a contract with the caterer that includes a listing of the foods selected, services to be provided and the cost. Know the number of servers that will be present, hours of service to be provided and arrival and departure times. Find out about all deadlines and due dates prior to your agreement for clear communication.

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the options

• buffets

Usually consisting of long tables laden with both hot and cold menu items, buffets give the newlyweds more time to mingle with guests.

• plated service

Served individually by professional wait staff, plated meals are great for time-sensitive celebrations. Couples mistakenly believe this option to be expensive, but it will depend on what you serve.

• food stations

These self-serve stations are individual tables throughout the room grouped by cuisine keeping the pickiest eater content with options.

• family style

For a warm, inviting atmosphere, this style centers around platters placed at each setting that are passed amongst those seated.

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what to ask:

• Do you have my date available?

• What service costs are included?

• How are gratuities figured?

• How much time do you need for setup?

• Have you done events at my venue before?

• Do you have a state Health Department license and liability insurance?

• Will you be personally handling the meal service at my wedding?

• Are you willing to include a family recipe in the menu?

• Can we schedule a tasting of the menu we choose? What is the cost for this?

• What is your average cost per person?

• Can you prepare special meal requests?

• Do you charge a serving fee?

• Do you provide beverage service?

• Do you have a liquor license?

• What is the ratio of servers to guests and how will they be dressed?