Choosing Your Wedding Caterer
I am so excited to get to continue this series with all of you and this week’s chat about some of our best tips or choosing your wedding caterer! The food is always a memorable part of your big day for your guests as well as one of the most fun vendors to look for (hello, TASTINGS!). However, along with all the fun, we realize shopping around for a vendor can be a bit overwhelming for our couples. Therefore, we would love to offer our favorite reminders to consider while you look around for your wedding caterer!
Reviews
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: reviews are so important when choosing your wedding vendors! Ask your married friends and read online reviews to see what others have to say. WeddingWire and The Knot are both really great sites to check reviews, but we also love a good Google review. When reading reviews or chatting with friends, pay special attention to reviews that address your specific concerns, and be sure to ask lots of questions!
Pricing and Minimums
Like your florist, your caterer will likely have a minimum cost for their services. Always check to make sure their pricing fits into your budget, allowing for some wiggle room, but be prepared to spend more if your guest list changes. Most caterers will price their services per guest so be aware that your allocated catering budget should be dependent on your guest list.
Packages
Different catering companies will include different services and different packages. We advise going into your meetings or tastings with an idea of what services you want your caterer to provide. Some services many caters offer are alcohol, waitstaff, setup and cleanup services, and deserts. Keep in mind that if your caterer does not provide some of these services, you will need to take on the task of finding them elsewhere.
Dining Style
What kind of dining style would you like for your wedding? Different serving styles can fit different tones of weddings, so keep in mind the formality level of your wedding and which dining style you prefer. While each style has its pros and cons, the choice is ultimately yours and something to keep in mind when searching for our caterer.
Policies
Being aware of the policies listed in your contract is extremely important when planning a wedding and luckily for you, is responsibility handled by your wedding planner. Keep in mind your payment schedule and important dates listed in your contract. For example, you want to know when the last day to make changes to your guest count is, so you don’t miss it.
Dietary Accommodations
Dietary restrictions seem to be everywhere now, and it is always respectful to your guests to keep these in mind when choosing your caterers. Ask your caterer what type of accommodations they provide (ex. Vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, etc.) when planning your menu. Many caterers are now pretty versatile and accommodating when it comes to dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to remember to ask about them when narrowing down your list. It’s your wedding and you want to be as informed as possible to make the best and most fitting choices for your big day!
Photography by Dash Photography