Caterers: More Than Just Cooks!

With so many other details to plan for your wedding, the food you serve at your reception hardly seems to be a very pressing issue. However, 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 fiance.

The style of reception you choose and menu you select contribute as much to the success of your party as the band or D.J. You want to make sure that the atmosphere you create is suited to you and your fiance's style, and is also enjoyable for your guests. Choosing the right caterer and working closely with him or her to make your dreams into realities is the best way to make sure that your reception is as fun and special as you are.

Before you can even begin to interview caterers, you and your fiance will need to decide what type of reception you want to have, whether it be a brunch, dinner, or just punch and cake. If you decide to go for the traditional dinner and dancing, will you choose a buffet-style, family-style, or sit-down affair?

The most expensive of these is the seated dinner, since you will have to pay for a very professional serving staff. Many couples choose the buffet style for the large proportions it allows your guests, as well as the variety of food that is available.

Once you decide what type of reception you want, you should book the site. Parks, reception halls, and homes are the most popular choices, but remember that some reception halls work with their own caterers, and may or may not allow you to hire a private company.

When you begin shopping around for caterers, don't just rely on the yellow pages to show you where to go. Find out from family and friends whose services they employed for their wedding receptions, and whether they would use this company's services again.

Even a personal reference from a sister whose style you admire is not enough. An integral part of the selection process is the personal meeting, where you and your fiance will talk with each prospective caterer. This is the time to ask all the questions you can think of, as well as sample some of the delicacies you will be serving.

Find out if they have a licensed kitchen and the proper insurance. What services do they provide -- 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? Asking questions such as these will show the caterer that you understand what you want, and know how to get it.

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.

Caterers do much more than cook wedding food. They are essentially professional party planners, and their services are valuable for any time during the wedding preparations when you need to serve a big meal and are short the day it takes to prepare enough food. 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. Having an event catered makes it elegant and special, and frees you up to take care of the other pressing details, or just relax.

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. Making this a catered affair allows everyone to get that extra sleep they need after such an exciting night -- and you don't even need to worry about cleaning it up!

For these and many more reasons, choosing a caterer is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make in planning your wedding, although it doesn't have to be one of the toughest. The mood your caterer brings to your reception will be invaluable, and if it is flavored with you and your fiance's personalities, it will be a true reflection of your marriage union.