A wedding caterer does more than preparing the wedding menu. They coordinate the timeline of the wedding reception and the dinner flow. They stock the bar, bake the wedding cake and supply all tableware rentals. That's a ton off your mind.
Choosing the right caterer ensures those little details measure up to your expectations. Once you make your list of candidates, ask them these ten questions during your meal tasting.
1. Are You Licensed?
Caters need a license to show they meet health department requirements and carry liability insurance in case something happens. They must also hold a liquor license if you intend to serve alcohol. Look at the licenses.
2. Do You Have Liquor Liability Insurance?
Whether you choose a caterer or not, any wedding serving alcohol must have this insurance in place, and it costs anywhere from $15 to $150 depending on the venue. If wedding guests leave the party after consuming alcohol and injure themselves, another or property, you get held responsible as would the caterer. Liquor liability insurance minimizes how much you pay if this occurs.
Ultimately, the decision to serve alcohol is up to you and your partner. In most cases there is a set price per person for a designated open bar. If this is the case, you usually can choose to have a cash bar where guests can pay for their own drinks and other beverage services.
3. Can You Provide References from Prior Clients?
Ask for at least two references from those who had a similar menu style and wedding size. References will tell you what it's like to work with each caterer, but you should also check online reviews.
4. Is My Wedding Date Available?
Don't skip this essential question. It helps narrow the list. Your question should also encompass the times surrounding your date. Is the caterer booked solid for that weekend, and will they give you enough time and quality service? You want to have confidence that your caterer is experienced in handling this kind of booking.
5. Is the Catered Meal Full Service?
Full service means your caterer handles more than food preparation. They will take care of table settings, bar service, clean up and more. Ask about what's included, and what packages are available. Otherwise, you'll have to seek out additional services to supplement if catering is only via drop off for simpler weddings -- or what's associated solely with the food. With drop off, you don't get the whole shebang.
6. What Packages Do You Offer, And at What Price Ranges?
A major part of your budget likely goes to catering. You need to weigh your choices carefully.
How many appetizer and entree selections come with each package? How are costs determined -- by food choice or an all-inclusive rate? Have your guest list in mind. If your guest list is shorter, the packages may not turn out costly. Catering packages typically include appetizers, a salad and an entree with dessert. Ask for various sample menus to select which works for your wedding.
Coffee and wine may also be included. Is the bar included, or do you need to seek that out separately?
7. Can You Work with Special Dietary Restrictions, and At What Fee?
Can the caterer provide gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal or gluten-free meals for guests with dietary restrictions? At what fee, if any? If the fees are high, you may need to reconsider your budget.
8. Will You Make Special Meals for the Kids and Wedding Professionals?
Child-friendly menus require adjustments from your special wedding menu, and you will need to consider the dietary and nutrition needs of the wedding professionals you keep on site all day. Feed your people -- some caterers provide vendor meals of what's served at half price to wedding professionals.
9. What Additional Items Do You Provide, Including Waitstaff?
Does the caterer provide napkins, silverware, salt, pepper, tables, chairs and linens? Does the caterer provide waitstaff, and do they also set the tables? Are these fees included in the packages? Are bartenders included in these fees? Will you need to hire extra waitstaff?
Wedding venue staff may be available, but many caterers prefer using their own people. For every six tables, have three waiters on hand.
10. Who Oversees the Event on the Big Day?
The person you meet face-to-face now may not be the one present on the day of the event. Get the information for your wedding day contact and know the timeline you need to have all the details and payments in by.
When you attend the meal tasting, ask each caterer these essential ten questions to find the perfect service for your wedding. Get a heads up on all fees and the timeline for arrival, set up, meal flow and clean up, and all will go splendidly on your special day with the perfect caterer for you.
Kacey Bradley is the lifestyle and travel blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Tripping.com and more!
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Comments (26)
My sister is getting married soon, and she asked me to help her hire the caterer. Your article had great tips my sister could use to hire a caterer, and I liked how you said to asked a potential hire for at least two references from clients that had a similar menu style and wedding size. Thanks; I'll share this with my sister to help her hire a wedding caterer.
I didn't know that you could ask a caterer questions during your meal tasting. That said, it's nice to know you can actually learn if they have a full service and can take care of table settings and clean up. Perhaps it could be good to also learn what else is included in their service to have a better idea what features you can utilize as well as what you may need additional help for.
This is a very well written and an informative post. Besides the point mentioned here also check whether your caterer provides any other services also, if yes then they would be beneficial for you in saving budget. Choose catering company like The Addison which serves in places like Aventura catering https://theaddisonofbocaraton.com/catering-aventura/ and offers fresh and tasty food.
That's a good idea to ask the caterer if they have kid-friendly menu options. My fiance and I are getting married next June, so we are just starting the wedding preparations. There are a lot of kids on his side of the family, so it's definitely important that we hire a caterer who can adjust the menu accordingly.
Oh, thanks for the tip to ask caterers about halal options. A friend of mine is getting married, and we have a mutual friend that is a devout Muslim. It'd be great to know that he'd be able to eat at least some of the food.
Thank you for your tip to ask the catering company if they can work with special dietary restrictions. My brother is going to be marrying his boyfriend soon, and they are trying to find a caterer. I'll pass this tip along to him, just in case any of the guests he invites have dietary restrictions.
It's great that you elaborated on asking the different packages a caterer offers and if they have bar service. My sister is planning her wedding for the summer and still needs to find a good caterer. I'll be sure to pass this along to her so she can ask these questions to potential caterers.
That's a good idea to ask if they have child-friendly menu options. My fiance and I are planning to get married this October. We have a lot of nieces, nephews, and cousins between us that will be at the wedding reception, so it is definitely important that we have options for them.
I like how you mentioned asking a potential caterer for two references that had a similar menu style and wedding size. My sister is thinking of hiring a breakfast catering service because her daughter is considering having an early morning reception in the park. I think it's a good idea for my sister to consider hiring a reputable service that can provide delicious food to guests to match the time of day.
As one of the bridesmaids, I was assigned to find a wedding caterer for the reception. Good thing I knew my sister well so I guess that's an advantage. You made a great point on asking the caterer if they provide gluten-free, vegan, kosher, or gluten-free food for visitors with dietary restriction. However, I like that you put this concern on the list since we'll have plenty of guests. I shall then ask that when I find one.
That's a good idea to ask if they provide things like dishes and tablecloths. I am helping my sister plan her wedding coming up in November. I will start speaking with caterers in the area next week and remember to ask about what additional items are provided.
I like how you mentioned asking about the price person for an open bar. My sister is planning on getting married in 3 months and she wants to find a good caterer that will provide an open bar. I'll be sure to share this with her so she can find the best one that fits all her needs.
My wife was recently put in charge of planning her office's end-of-year party and she is trying to find a restaurant that can cater food for the event. It was really helpful when you talked about how it is important to find a caterer that meets the requirements that are set by the health department. I'm sure my wife will be able to impress all of her co-workers if she finds a good caterer for the party.
I like your suggestion to ask what packages they offer. My friend needs to find a good caterer. Using your suggested questions should be helpful!
I would like to get bbq catering for my wedding reception. I appreciated the tip about asking if the meal is full service. I will remember to ask this.
Thanks for these tips on what to ask a caterer. I have to find one soon for my upcoming wedding. I will have to ask them for references from prior clients like you suggested.
It got my attention when you said that you could check the references of a catering company in order to determine what it is like to work with a caterer. In July, my daughter will turn 18, so I am planning to hire an event catering company. I want to ensure that the party guests are going to enjoy the entire event, so I will consider your tips.
It was really interesting when you talked about how it is important to find a catering company that has a license that shows they meet health department needs. Does a catering company have to get the license directly from the health department? It seems like it would be a good idea to ask the catering company exactly how they got their license.
We'll be having a company anniversary party for employees next month, and as part of the secretarial staff, I'm in charge of the food to be served at the event. Thank you for informing us that it's best to ask our caterers first if they have the proper license authorized by the health department and the right liability insurance before you can consider hiring them. I'll be sure to remember this while I look for a corporate catering service to call for a booking soon.
It was nice that you said that you can ask a catering company for at least two references to find out how they work. This is something that I will share with my mother because she is planning to hold a party to celebrate her 60th birthday next month. She wants to make sure that she will find a catering company that is highly recommended by their past clients.
Thank you for your advice to ask about any additional items they provide like napkins and silverware or even waitstaff. My sister is planning her wedding and has started looking at caterers. I'll have to share this question with her so she can be sure to know everything that is offered in their services.
I liked your suggestion to ask if they can accommodate dietary restrictions. There are some people at our company that I know are vegetarians. We want to cater an event for our company, so I'll see what I can do to arrange to get food for those that have different dietary needs.
My sister's wedding is coming up this April, and I had been asked to help look for a caterer to hire for the reception party since everyone else is busy with other preparations. It was a useful tip when you told us to ask for at least two references from prior clients who had a similar menu style and wedding size we're going for so we'll know what to expect. I'll keep this in mind while I look for a catering company to book before the wedding day.
Thanks for the tip about asking the caterers if they accommodate dietary restrictions. I'm not going to have food at my wedding, but I do want dessert for my guests. It'd be good to hire some dessert caterers so the guests have lots of different choices.
Thank you for bringing up the fact that caterers must have a license in order to adhere to health department regulations and have liability insurance in case a crash occurs. I'll be sure to share this with my sister so that she can keep it in mind because she has been looking for caterers for her son's bar mitzvah. I'll undoubtedly look into event caterers who can also�accommodate them.
My husband was just tasked with organizing the end-of-year celebration for her workplace, and she is currently searching for a restaurant that can provide catering for the occasion. Your discussion about how crucial it is to choose a caterer that complies with the health department's standards was quite beneficial. If my spouse chooses an excellent caterer for the party, he will undoubtedly amaze all of her coworkers.