Selecting A Caterer For Your Wedding
Food. At your wedding, this is probably the one thing that will be remembered most by your guests, except for how beautiful the bride was! If the food and service are good, people will comment. If the food and service are bad, you better believe, people will comment.
For major foodies, the majority of their budget (up to 70%) is often set aside for the reception. Typically, however, I tell my clients to set aside 50% of their total budget for the reception. That 50% needs to include the reception site, all the food, alcohol, service, and all rentals (such as tables, chairs, linens, flatware, glassware, china, etc). If you are using a tent, custom dance floor or specialty lighting, this should also be included in the 50% figure.
Consider The Time Of Day
Once you know what time of day the reception will be, you can start thinking about the type of service you would like. Buffet, Sit-Down, Passed Foods, or Stations are some service types to look into. New trends include tea, cocktail, and dessert receptions, and can be a stylish alternative, as well as a creative way to save money.
But for a formal, evening affair, consider tray-passed hors oeuvres, followed by a 4-5 course sit-down dinner. This type of service would include an appetizer, soup (or salad), entree, and dessert.
A nice alternative is to have your caterers pass petits fours or truffles later on, when everyone is out on the dance floor, or just after cake-cutting. This small touch will be remembered by your guests as something "extra" special.Stations
A fun alternative would be to create various food stations throughout the venue. You could set up a Gourmet Burger shack, with unique spreads, different breads, and traditional toppings. Another option would be comfort food stations like macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes. Don't forget the yummy toppings like crumbled bacon, bleu cheese, sour cream, and crushed peppers. A third option might be to try a locally-grown or organic food station. Why not bring in a Sushi chef to offer a colorful and popular food choice?
Get Referrals
Talk to your Wedding Coordinator, Site Manager, and friends and ask for their preferred caterers. After gathering recommendations, you should spend some time looking at their websites. Here you can find sample menus, pictures, testimonials, and any awards they have won, or any professional associations they belong to. It is advised that you attend at least three tastings, with three different caterers. Some caterers now charge for the tastings, while some have chosen to remain offering this service for free. Be sure to ask whether there is a charge before you book the appointments.
It's important that you and your fiance like the way the food tastes and is presented. But apart from how the food looks and tastes, there are many questions you'll eventually want to ask the catering manager.
Questions for Your Caterer
What do you recommend for our wedding style?
After discussing your wedding visions with the catering manager, they will have a better idea of what type of food and service suits your ideas.
What are the best menu combinations?
Filet Mignon and Scampi go great together, while Chicken Carbonara and Mahi Mahi probably would not be such a good choice.
Ask the caterers what they recommend, as they know their food better than anyone else! Perhaps the chef has a favorite that you may not have otherwise known about.Do you specialize in certain food types?
Some caterers offer ethnic choices like Indian cuisine or Sushi,so be sure to ask if this is something you are interested in.
Can we customize our menu?
If you have a family recipe you would like recreated for your big day, or foods that have certain sentimental value to you, let the catering manager know about it.
Can you prepare meals for guests with special dietary needs?
If children, or guests with wheat allergies, or vegetarians are coming to your wedding, you want to be sure they receive a special meal. This will make them feel like you cared enough to take their needs into consideration. Kosher and Halal food preparation can be other areas for concern to certain guests.
What is your level of involvement at the wedding?
It's always a good idea to have a manager who specializes in weddings from the catering company at the wedding. Weddings have unique circumstances and should be staffed with the best professionals in the industry, so you can relax and enjoy your day.
About the Servers:
Do you always use the same servers?
What is their attire?
For special occasions such as weddings, you'll want to be sure the catering company provides you with their best, most qualified service staff. Clean-cut, friendly, and professional is what you are looking for. Many catering companies offer different server's uniforms, so be sure to ask if you have a choice.
Do you provide the alcohol and the bartenders?
If they do not provide these services, try The Party Staff or
Baytenders. And be sure to ask what the corkage fee is, if you are bringing in your own wines.
Can we do a signature cocktail?
We all know this is a great way to save money, and to add a special touch to your special day.
Specialty cocktails can match the colors of your wedding, or be named after something special to you and your fiance. They save money by allowing you the option to not host a full bar.What rentals do you include?
Be sure to ask about rental items such as tables, chairs, and dishes. Most caterers will provide basic items, or they will rent them for you. Ask if you can upgrade to other choices if you are not happy with what they provide in a standard package. Many companies specialize in exquisite, custom rentals. In the bay area, you have some great choices like Classic Party Rentals,Wildflower Linens, >,La Tavola.
Lastly, ask to see pictures of recent weddings.
Notice the staff and their appearance. Examine the presentation of the entrees. Check out how they set up any buffet tables. Do you like what you see? Can they recreate something you see? Do they bring in any specialty items like upgraded serving bowls, or iron candelabras?
The Follow Up
After the tastings are over, be sure to contact at least three former clients to see how their experience was. You can ask them how many guests they had, how satisfied they were with the food, and if the service was exemplary. Were the meals hot and served in a timely manner? Were there any unforeseen incidents on the day of the wedding, and if so, how did the caterer handle them?
Request Proposals
Be sure to get proposals from caterers. These should be delivered to you promptly, and should be line itemized, so you can see exactly what they are charging you for. Note that the food items, drink items, service staff, management staff, gratuity and service charges, as well as all rentals are presented on separate lines. This will make comparing the costs between the three companies easier for you.
Choose Your Caterer
After gathering all the information, and doing a lot of research, you should be ready to make your decision. Taste, cost, options, presentation, food service, and overall customer service should be things to consider when making this decision.
This is your day, and the food will be a direct reflection of your style and tastes. Each caterer will have different ideas for you on how to make your wedding unique to you.
Love,
The Soup Maven
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