If you’re like most couples, when all the checks are written, you’ll have spent more on catering than any other wedding expense. Plan on devoting an appropriate amount of time to plan this make-orbreak wedding day detail.
Choose your chef wisely
You’ll pay for food per person, so before you start looking for a caterer, divide your catering budget by the approximate number of guests to fi gure out how much you have to spend per guest.
If you’ve selected a traditional reception site, your catering decision should be easy. Most sites have onsite caterers, and you can often have lunch or dinner there for an idea of the quality of food. Sites that don’t offer catering often work with an established few. If your reception will be held at your parent’s home or at another site, ask friends and family for recommendations. Good sources for caterers are fl orists, photographers, and wedding planners who have eaten the food of most local caterers. Be upfront during meetings about what you can afford. Most caterers can work within budgets, but they’re not magicians or mind readers.
Don’t make any assumptions. A lot of what you’ve eaten in restaurants in your life hasn’t been made from scratch. Restaurants and caterers often use products from food service companies to save time and money. Ask what will be made fresh and what won’t.
Your reception fare should echo the tone of your ceremony. If you’re planning a low-key wedding, plan on food and drink that is less formal and more fun. Likewise, if your day will be simple yet elegant, the service at your reception should follow suit.
The fun parts of fi nding a caterer are the taste-drives – lots of free noshing – but remember that caterers should be showcasing not only the food but the overall presentation. Pay attention to their focus on detail, and consider if what they’re presenting is in line with what you envision for your big day.
Count heads
If you’re planning a sit-down dinner for a large number of people, be mindful of the time it will take to plate food for, say, 500, and choose accordingly. Steer clear of foods that might cool too quickly or become soggy while waiting to be served. If your reception food won’t be prepared by an on-site kitchen, choose a caterer who cooks on-site to make sure the food is served fresh and hot. Combination plates or buffets offer something for everyone. The best caterers will create customized menus to please you and your guests. If you have a family recipe you’d like to include for one dish, a good caterer should be fl exible enough to pull it off. If you have dieters or people who must eat sugar-free, low-salt or gluten-free foods, your caterer should be able to have tasty offerings made specially for those guests.
Your caterer should offer a proposal which will spell out the details of your event, and which will be a good jumping-off point for paring back expenses, if need be. Get all the details in writing: the menu, liquor, setup. All conceivable charges, even gratuities, need to be clearly mentioned. Avoid vague proposals.
Don’t be afraid to send contracts back for fi ne-tuning before inking the deal. Make sure everything you’ve discussed and agreed upon is spelled out exactly, however many interruptions it takes to tweak the contract.
DIY foodies
Intent on catering your own wedding? Do-it-yourselfers should keep the following in mind:
Limit the guest list: Preparing and serving food for more than 50 guests can be draining and stressful. Tackling a big wedding isn’t smart for a fi rst-time self-caterer. Think of the setting: Handling your own wedding meal means you have more options when deciding where to hold the event. You may want to rent a pavilion at the beach, or simply set up in your parents’ backyard. Determine the limitations of the setting.
Plan for a buffet: Arranging a buffet is easier than serving a sit-down meal. You put the food out and people help themselves. But don’t skimp on the accessories just because you’re cooking. Rent beautiful china and flatware.
Be aware of food safety: You don’t want your guests to go home sick. Rent coolers to store food at the reception site. Hire help: Pay for servers and a crew to clean up. Stacking dirty dishes should be the last thing on your mind at your wedding reception.
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