Wedding Planning Guide 2015 – Article No. 1
Whether you’re planning an extravagant gala or a simple luncheon, food will be an important part of your special day. Your guests will be gathered together in one place, enjoying a delicious meal against the backdrop of your stunning wedding décor, and you want this part of the experience to be at least as memorable as all the rest. Quality, freshness and presentation are essential elements of your wedding feast.
Here are the steps to take to ensure you make the right choice when it comes to your wedding caterer:
Pricing & Costs
If your budget is unlimited, you have nothing to worry about! Most of us, however, have to consider working within some sort of a budget. The first thing about budgets is to determine how important the catering actually is to you, and to the theme you have chosen. For example, if you and your guests are not really interested in dancing the night away or drinking a lot, the focus might be more on the food. The reverse is true if you want the designer dress to take centre stage – this could detract from the catering budget.
Food Quality
Even if the bride and groom are fairly indifferent to food, the guests might not be…so it’s important to make sure the caterer has high standards for food quality. When discussing menus with a caterer, they should be able to tell you where their ingredients are sourced, how the food pairs with wine, and how the menu will match your theme (casual, elegant, vintage, etc.). Ask these key questions:
- Is your food fresh or frozen?
- Will it be prepared same-day or the day before?
- How will the food be presented?
Beverages/Corking
Many banquet halls and reception venues can handle the alcoholic beverages in-house, but if your caterer will be handling this aspect in addition to the food, it’s important to know if they charge corkage fees – as it can save you a lot of money to bring your own alcohol, if that’s allowed. You also want to know if your caterer can run a bar and provide staff, especially if you plan on having an open bar that will need to be continuously staffed for the duration of the festivities.
Catering Services
This might seem obvious, but it’s essential to find out what is actually included in your wedding caterer’s package. Will they do food only, or will they be arranging other elements of your wedding day, such as equipment and staff? Don’t forget to find out if the following things are included in your caterer’s fee:
- Tables, chairs, cutlery, linens – what kind and what quality
- Staff – what ratio of staff to guests? The ideal ratio will depend on whether you’re having a buffet or a plated meal
- Post-event charges – will you incur additional costs for clean-up, breakages etc.?
Professionalism
This is perhaps the hardest part to quantify – or maybe the easiest, depending on your EQ. The question is, how easy is your caterer to work with? How do they leave you feeling – excited and in control, or anxious and embarrassed by your lack of catering knowledge or your slender budget? Are they flexible and amenable to changes, and willing to work with your wedding planner? Do they respond quickly to your messages? Remember, there are lots of caterers out there. If the one you have met with doesn’t feel like a good fit, there are many other possibilities.
It’s your special day – take the time to find a caterer who gets what you’re aiming for and can make it happen!
Next Article – How to Define Your Wedding Vision ?
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