Wedding Catering Quick Tips

Catering Quick Tips

• Many area caterers are booked for up to a year in advance, so it is important that you act upon this decision as early as possible to provide the greatest amount selection for you and your fiancée.
• Some reception halls work with their own caterers, and may or may not allow you to hire a private company.
• Find out from family and friends whose services they employed for their wedding receptions, and whether they would use this company's services again.
• Find out if they have a licensed kitchen and the proper insurance.
• Will they merely cook and serve the food, or do they provide set-up, clean-up, and equipment rental? Is there a washing charge for the dishes? Are the gratuities and taxes included in the fee, or are they extra? Are you allowed to take home leftover food, and will you need to provide your own containers?
• If you do decide to rent dishes from the catering company, make sure you know what you are getting. It would be disastrous if you assume that the price includes china dinnerware and glasses, when it actually includes paper plates and plastic cups!
• Once all these details have been ironed out, put them in writing. Specify exactly what will be served, where, when, and by whom. Stipulate the deposit requirements and payment schedule, and make sure that taxes and gratuities are discussed so that there are no surprises.
• Showers, bridesmaids' luncheons, rehearsal dinners, bachelor and bachelorette parties are all perfect opportunities to have your caterer cook up a meal that everyone will love.
• Many couples are also employing the services of a caterer to prepare a post-wedding brunch. This get-together, which occurs on the morning after the wedding, gives you and your new husband time to be with family and close friends in a more intimate setting before you begin your honeymoon.