How to Choose a Wedding Catering Service
The count down to the big day is on. You’ve found a dreamy venue, scored the ultimate live band, said yes to the dress (or suit!), and secured a photographer to capture your vision. All that is missing is one key ingredient: choosing a caterer! For many couples, curating the perfect menu is the highlight of the wedding planning experience. Have fun, think outside the box, and create a plate that does justice to your celebration.
Your Party, Your Plate
Remember: this is YOUR wedding. When it comes to food there really are no rules. You want to find a catering option that feels appropriate to your wedding style while making sure the menu is truly reflective of you as a couple. If a sit-down banquet isn’t quite your scene, then don’t hesitate to dream up a quirky and alternative option that feels more ‘you’.
Maybe you want to go festival style and hire some gourmet food trucks? Maybe a taco table and tequila stand is more your thing? Whatever you choose, your guests will value the thoughtfulness and originality that goes into your menu.
While your taste buds might want to take the reins, there are some important questions to ask your catering vendors, which might help determine your decision. Below are 20 vital questions to ask your caterer before you book them. At the end of the blog, we’re also providing a downloadable PDF which has even more insightful information to help you book a dream team for your kitchen, so read on!
Venue or Vendor?
Before you start sourcing culinary options, talk through your catering needs with your venue. Do they have an assigned menu or are they comfortable with you bringing in external vendors? Are there any limitations to their kitchen equipment or food/beverage licensing that you should be aware of?
And now, without further ado, here are the questions you should ask before hiring a caterer…
20 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer
1. Are you available on my wedding date?
We know, we know, it seems like a no brainer, but nonetheless, you’re going to want to ask this question first.
2. Have you worked at my wedding venue before?
If ‘no’ you might want to loop your venue contact in with your caterer so that they can discuss the nitty-gritty logistical details.
3. What type of menu selections do you offer?
Can you curate a bespoke menu or do they only offer set packages?
4. Can you do custom menus?
Ask about pricing! Custom dishes can be more expensive.
Photo by: Megan Wynn Photography
5. Do you offer appetizers and dinner?
It might be valuable to draw up a timeline for your wedding day. How long between the ceremony and the dinner? The last thing you want is your guests getting restless and hungry!
6. Do you have a kid’s menu?
If your wedding is family-friendly, you might want to look into a cheaper, kid-satisfying meal alternative.
7. When can we schedule a tasting with you?
Make a date night out of sampling the goods!
8. Do you have an order minimum?
Some prices might look appealing on paper but frightening when you consider the order minimum.
9. Do you include or offer cake cutting and serving?
You want to know that this is taken care of behind the scenes so that you can transition seamlessly.
10. What is the cake-cutting fee?
Watch out for the fees (like this one) that can sneak up on you.
11. Can you provide the wedding cake or desserts?
Keep your order succinct by purchasing your full banquet from one vendor.
12. Can you share your packages and pricing?
Seeing a price rundown will help you make strategic decisions with your menu.
13. What is the payment plan?
Factor a payment plan into your greater wedding budget to ensure prices that suit your needs.
14. When do I give you my final guest count?
In an ideal world, you want to negotiate a situation when you can deliver your final guest count later rather than sooner.
15. What is the absolute last day to add or subtract from my guest count?
Similarly, know how much flexibility you have to alter your guest list.
16. Are there any additional fees I should expect?
Ensure you have asked around any and all additional fees. Be smart with your questions: you don’t want a budgetary hiccup down the line.
17. Can you provide dinnerware?
Ask to see their dinnerware options. Do their plate settings fit your venue aesthetic? If not, you might wish to explore an alternative route.
18. Can you do any type of service?
What banquet-style best suits you? Served? Buffet? Family style? Can they work with your vision?
19. Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Crucially, work with your catering to factor in any dietary restrictions that your guests might have. Consider alternative plates for vegan, gluten-free or lactose-intolerant guests.
20. What steps do we need to take to book with you?
This question will help ensure hiring goes smoothly when you decide on the caterer you’d like to work with.
Keep this list, (along with our downloadable PDF below), on hand during your first catering consultation. You’ll want to ask these questions as soon as possible, to avoid fixing your heart on a caterer who doesn’t fit all of your needs. These questions can help set your mind at ease, so that you can better enjoy the process of tasting delicious meal options – now, enjoy!