References, references, references. Ask family
and friends, as well as co-workers and employers who may have had business affairs
caterer.
If your reception facility does not offer
catering services on site you will most likely need to rent linens, china, silverware,
crystal and serving dishes. Check with your caterer to see if they can provide any of
these for you.
If you would like alcoholic beverages at your
wedding can your caterer provide you with a fully stocked bar and bartender. Make sure
they are fully licensed and insured.
Most caterers charge per person for your main
entree. Use your budget to help you decide what a reasonable price per plate is.
Make sure you ask about hidden costs. They
usually take couples by surprise how much they can add up. These include corking fees,
cake cutting fees, travel, trash removal, wait staff, state tax, gratuity charges and
more.
Ask your caterer if they can provide you with a
sample meal before you commit to their services.
Meet with your caterer to decide together what
seating and buffet arrangements will work best at your reception site.
Use your caterer as a guide to help you decide
what other rentals you will need that they can not provide for you.
Make sure your caterer can provide special meal
accommodations for guests with dietary restrictions.
Find out by what date they will need a final
count and plan accordingly when printing RSVP date on invitations.
How much of a deposit will you need to put down
and when is the remainder due.
Choosing
a catering service is often one of the most difficult decisions you will make when
planning your wedding. You may choose an elaborate display of hors d'oeuvres with a formal
entree or a casual buffet offering a variety of foods. Shop around and ask lots of
questions before you commit yourself.