Your wedding is a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Make sure it’s one you remember positively. One element of wedding planning that’s often overlooked is catering. Many people rush hiring a caterer, erroneously thinking catering isn’t a big deal. However, if the food served at your wedding is not up to par, guests won’t have a good time, and you might not either. This post intends to simplify things, which it will do by telling you about some tips that you can use to choose the perfect caterer.
Table of Contents
Work Out a Budget
The first thing you need to think about is the budget. Many people go into wedding planning without first budgeting, which is a big mistake. If you have a caterer in mind, you should inquire about their site. The only way to find out how much a company charges is to contact them using their website’s inquiry form. In terms of budgeting, there are apps and tools you can use for free online.
Research Early On
If you have a date for your wedding, find a caterer as early as possible. The earlier you start researching, the more likely you will find the perfect caterer. As mentioned by the Latin-inspired cuisine caterers at https://serveandsavour.com, all you need to do to reach out to a caterer is use the inquiry form on their website. Spend time searching online, compile a list of caterers whose services you are happy to pay for, and then reach out and start making inquiries. Before reaching out to a caterer, read their reviews. A caterer’s reviews will tell you much about them, making your hiring decision more accessible.
Ask for Recommendations
The chances are that you at least know somebody who’s gotten married recently. That person is the best person to ask for recommendations. Asking a friend or family member for recommendations is only worth doing if you are confident your tastes are similar to those of your loved ones. One of the best things about recommendations and referrals is that most caterers offer discounts to people who are referred to them by former clients. Always ask a caterer if they do offer referral bonuses before hiring them.
Venue Exclusivity
The next thing you need to think about is venue exclusivity. Some wedding venues have their in-house catering staff. Many venues with in-house catering will not allow you to bring an outside caterer in. Reach out to the venue you have selected for your wedding and ask them if you can provide your catering and what their catering is like. Always read an in-house caterer’s reviews, just as you would read an external catering service’s. Reviews can tell you a lot, as they give you insight into the quality of a caterer’s service.
Check Caterer Availability
One of the worst feelings in the world is when you select a caterer and then discover they are not available on the date of your wedding. Always check a caterer’s availability before you commit to hiring them. You can do this by notifying them of your wedding date on your initial inquiry when you contact them via their website. Make sure you register interest with caterers who’re unavailable, so if the event they are catering to on that date is cancelled, they can contact you and schedule your wedding.
Request Sample Menus
Once you have selected a caterer, you can request sample menus. Sample menus give you some insight into the cuisine and quality of a caterer’s food. Some caterers have sample menus on their website, so you don’t have to get in touch and ask to see them. Always search a caterer’s website for sample menus before you ask them for one to save time and avoid looking unprepared in the eyes of your potential wedding caterer.
Book a Tasting Session
A tasting session follows the request for sample menus. If you are happy with the quality and type of food offered by your chosen caterer on their menu, a tasting session will give you insight into what their food is like. Remember that you are not obligated to hire a caterer after sampling their food. If you do not like what they bring, you can pay them for the tasting session, then move on and find another caterer you want.
Dietary Needs
Dietary needs are an important consideration. If your wedding guests have allergies or food sensitivities, you must ensure their needs are met. Most caterers will be more than happy to accommodate people’s needs, but some might not. For example, if somebody attending your wedding has a seafood allergy and your chosen caterer specializes exclusively in seafood, they won’t be able to help you. It’s worth discovering any sensitivities and allergies before searching for caterers so you can avoid caterers whose foods might contain ingredients unsuitable for guests.
Consider Cuisine Served
Your wedding day is yours. While you must think about your guests and their tastes, think mainly about your own. Find a cuisine that you enjoy. A cuisine worth considering is Latin-inspired food since almost everybody loves Latin cooking. Indian food is also trendy, although it’s not suitable for everybody due to the spices and ingredients used. If any guests are coming who are very important to you, i.e., best friends or parents, ask them if they enjoy any cuisines so that you can satisfy their wants.
Number of Staff
Another thing to consider is the number of waiting staff the caterer you hire employs. The more people they bring, the more you will have to pay. Something worth noting is that you can usually ask caterers to reduce their waiting staff numbers. You should do this if your chosen caterer has many more people than you need. Carefully determine how many catering staff are required so that you can ask for the correct number of people. The best way to work this out is to calculate how many people are coming to your wedding, then determine how many waiting staff will be needed to serve each table.
Open Bar
An open bar is always a plus. Your guests will be guaranteed a good time if you can arrange one. Most catering companies will bring their alcohol, although some venues prohibit this and only allow their alcohol to be sold. Whoever’s responsible for your wedding drinks, ensure the bar’s open. Bear in mind that an open bar can be expensive, so you should only ask your caterer or the venue to open up the bar if you have a large enough budget; otherwise, you should limit the amount of drinks people can have on you.
Importance of Flexibility
When planning a wedding, flexibility is essential. It would help if you had a case for who can adjust their service according to the number of people you were bringing to your wedding and their service according to last-minute changes. When you are planning a wedding, things will inevitably go wrong. By hiring an experienced and flexible caterer, you can minimize the damage caused to your wedding by unexpected changes because they won’t cancel on you. Before hiring a caterer, as suggested above, read their reviews. A caterer’s reviews will tell you everything you need to know about them.
Check Things Through
Finally, once you have found a caterer you are happy with and have followed this post’s previous steps, check things through and re-read your contract with them. This is so that you can make sure everything is to your liking. Your wedding is a special day, so if you decide at the last minute you want a caterer other than the one you previously agreed to work with, you can do that. However, it is not fair to mess people around, especially since most catering firms are small independent businesses, so you should try to make your mind up as early as possible to minimize disruption. If you fire a caterer at the last minute, pay them for the time you have wasted. Most caterers will ask for a deposit so they do not end up out of pocket if disruptions or cancellations occur. Many caterers will not allow you to cancel without paying in total if you try to cancel up to a week before the wedding since preparations usually begin.
Choosing the perfect caterer is essential if you want a dream wedding. Follow the guidance here to ensure your wedding goes exactly as you want. As also suggested above, read reviews. A caterer’s reviews can make your hiring decision much more superficial.
