Choosing the Best Caterer for Your Big Day

Getting married is supposed to be one of the best things that have ever happened to you, but all you seem to be feeling is stress. There are so many things to do and decisions to make, one of them being the choice of a caterer for the reception. If you’re wondering what to take into account when making this particular decision, here is some precious advice for you.

Your budget

Although you only want to think about making your wedding magical, you need to set the budget for the food before making any inquiries. If you’re not sure how much money you’re willing or able to spend on the catering, you can only create additional confusion by trying to form a menu for your guests. Once you set the budget, you can safely make the calls and get the menu ideas from several caterers. You can find out which ones are within your range and what type of services and menu options your budget can cover. And if you find that you have to compromise more than you’re willing, think about other things you can save on, like invitations or flowers. It’s not an easy choice, but you need to decide what’s more important to you and act accordingly.

Menu and service range

If you know what meals you want served at your reception and you’re willing to pay for them, all you have to do is find a catering service that can deliver that. There are excellent catering companies that can make custom meals and deal with any other special requests you might have, such as vegan menus or meals for guests with allergies. If you notice they’re trying to talk you out of what you want in favour of what they’re offering you, keep looking. Another thing you should ask about is how much they charge for children’s meals, if you’re having little guests at your wedding. Also, if you have an obligation to provide meals for other wedding professionals, ask the caterer whether they have some special offers, such as a buffet, and at what price. Plus, don’t forget the importance of a nice presentation. Other than being delicious and high-quality, their meals should also look nice, so let them show you how they plan to serve them on your big day. Finally, you need to know what you’re paying for, so have them organize a food and wine tasting for you before you sign a contract.

Professionalism

Before you sign or pay for anything, you should make sure that the catering company you chose is a professional one. This means that they have all the licences, that they meet all the required health standards and that they aren’t cooking your wedding meals in a home kitchen. Also, if you notice any problems in communication, you should think twice before hiring them. If they avoid answer and returning your calls promptly, or if you keep getting vague and incomplete answers to your questions, find another caterer. It doesn’t matter how many clients they have. It’s your wedding day; they have to treat you like you’re their only client. If they keep overlooking details during wedding preparations, they can’t guarantee that they won’t overlook them on your big day as well.

Experience and references

Learn if your catering service has connections with a significant number of venues, which is a good sign, especially if they’ve worked with your venue. If your venue has a kitchen that your caterer can use, they might be able to make some of the meals there, to insure that they’re fresh and hot for your guests. Visit social media and search for any references from other brides, so that you can see how often they get hired, how well they’re reviewed and the latest photos of their work from other weddings. Furthermore, if they’ve received any awards, it’s a big plus for them.

Finding the perfect caterer can be extremely stressful, especially if your instincts are telling you one thing, but your friends and family another. In the end, listen to yourself and let these tips help you decide.