1. Wedding Caterers - What You Need to Know
It's more than just food! Caterers frequently will take care of your rentals, layout, set up, clean up and of course, staffing.
Cost - catering can seem costly. This is because catering involves several moving parts. A caterer brings everything to you—kitchen, food, drinks, cooks, servers, rentals—and then sets up, prepares, serves, and cleans up.
Wedding Caterer - Types
• In-house – also known as full service, includes staffing, food and beverage
• Outside - caterer brings food, beverage, staffing and rentals to location
• Restaurant or drop off - generally do-it-yourself. Does not include beverage, staffing, clean up or rentals
Styles of service - listed from least to most expensive
• Buffet - food prepared in serving dishes. Guests serve themselves
• Plated - multi-course meal served to guests at their seats
• Family - dinner served all at once to each table. Guests serve themselves
• Stations - areas of food organized by style around the room. Guests serve themselves
Menu and selection - be sure to check with your caterer as there are always exceptions
• Menu – a meal generally includes salad, entrée, two sides and bread. Hors d’oeuvres and appetizers are priced separately
• Selection - chicken and pork are less expensive than beef or fish
Tastings
• Be considerate – a tasting is time consuming and costly for a caterer so use this as a final decision before confirming
• Caterers generally charge for a tasting - this fee is then credited to your final bill if you chose to book with them
• Caterers may charge per person for a tasting - if you invite parents or friends to join you, you may charged for the extra guests
• Pace yourself - food tastes better when you’re hungry. If you do more than one tasting a day, don't eat in-between
• Restrictions – as a courtesy, be sure to let the caterer know of any diet restrictions
• Tasting menu – although you can ask to sample a menu you’re interested in, keep in mind some caterers might have a pre-selected tasting menu.
EXPERT TIP:
TIP: Honesty is the best policy! Be open and transparent with your professionals about your preferences and budget. This allows them to create something just right for you.