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 Selecting a Wedding Caterer
It's usually your largest expense,
so ask the
right questions!
Amy Hughes
The food served at your reception can top off a wonderful wedding event
for you and your guests or it can turn it into a disaster. Your wedding
caterer will probably be the largest expense in your wedding budget, so
you should spend some time investigating quality caterers.
 Some of the best recommendations can come friends and family who've had
experience with a particular caterer. You'll also want to check with
your reception site to see if they have restrictions or suggestions on
which wedding caterers they work with. Other vendors involved with your
wedding such as your photographer, DJ, or florist may have a wedding
caterer they'd recommend. If you have a restaurant that you really like,
see if they could handle your event.
Contact potential wedding caterers to ask about availability on your
date and general price range. Once you've found a few who would work,
make appointments with them, arranging to have a sample tasting of what
you could expect at your wedding. You'll also want to go through the
questions we've included during that initial interview. That way, you'll
know you're working with a professional, you'll avoid any surprises on
the final bill, and your guests will appreciate the effort you've made.
Questions to Ask a Potential Wedding Caterer
(Get Answers Before You
Sign the Agreement)
- Will you be personally handling my wedding on my wedding day or do
you have other folks that assist you? If someone else will be in
charge of my wedding, when can I meet them?
- How many other weddings will you or your company handle that same
day?
- Do you have any specialties or a particular style of food that you
do well?
- How much time will you need for set-up and clean-up?
- Given the date, time, and theme of my wedding, what are some menu
items you'd suggest? Based on my number of guests, could you provide a
cost estimate per person?
- Do you provide linens, glasses, plates, silverware, serving
pieces, and decorative flowers for trays? What is the difference in
price if I take care of those items?
- What color and style of linens, glasses, plates, and accessories
are available?
- Are you licensed? (They should have liability insurance coverage
and have met health dept. standards) What about a liquor license?
- Do you charge for beverage service?
- If I elect to have a sit-down dinner instead of a buffet, what is
the increase in the price per person?
- When it comes to price, does that include set up and clean up? Are
tips/gratuities expected or included? If the reception runs long, how
is overtime figured?
- Do you provide food for the photographer, DJ, musicians, and other
"day-of" vendors? If so, are there any extra charges?
- If we want to provide our own wine, champagne, sparkling grape
juice, do you charge a corkage fee?
- Do you have special meals for children in attendance and what's
the charge for those meals?
- Get a copy of the caterers standard contract. Take it with you.
Don't try to read it all at the meeting.
- What deposit amount is required to hold that date and when is the
remainder payment due?
- If you think you may end up using the caterer, ask for some photos
of previous events, and get some referrals you can contact.
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