Weddings form an integral part of our lives and mark an important day for the bride and groom, their families and friends, as well as the beginning of a new chapter for those getting married. As can be expected of any ceremony being planned, wedding preparations come with their fair share of challenges, especially in the catering department. What then should you know even as you go about making wedding catering arrangements?
Catering License and Insurance
As a client, you want to ensure that your chosen caterer has a valid catering license. This confirms that the caterer has met all the local health department standards and is fit to serve you and your guests at the wedding. Additionally, you should ensure that your caterer has a liquor license if you plan on having alcohol at your wedding. Your caterer should also have liquor liability insurance which covers any damage that may arise due to alcohol consumption by either you or your guests. As is expected, all this saves you unnecessary problems and expenses that might arise on your wedding day. After all, who wants to go around settling unnecessary expenses after the wedding instead of heading to his/her honeymoon?
Caterer’s Schedule for Your Wedding Day
As a client, you definitely need to know if your caterer will only be handling your wedding on the scheduled day or if the catering company has any other planned weddings for the day. If the caterer is only serving your wedding on that day, you are assured that your wedding will be adequately catered for. If the caterer is not only serving you, then you need to find out if the caterer will adequately provide you with everything that you need ranging from enough waiting staff, and the due attention to make your wedding a success.
Caterer’s Specialization
This comes in handy if you have a particular cuisine in mind for your special day. If your caterer has specialized in his/her trade, he/she will know where to source for all the essential ingredients, and they will have perfected their skill resulting in better food.
Packages Offered and Pricing
Let’s face it, catering services contribute a huge chunk of your wedding budget. You, therefore, want to ensure that you get value for money spent. To begin with, you need to find out if you are being charged depending on the foods you chose or at an all-inclusive rate. Packages generally save you a lot of money because they cater for an appetizer, salad, an entrée, coffee, dessert, and at times even wine. If you are planning on having many guests, the package option will save you a lot of hassle. You, therefore, need to know what your money will get you and the best way to ascertain this is by sampling the menus on offer.
Additionally, you need to find out if your catering services are coming full service. Broken down, it means that you should find out if this covers food preparation, table setting, bar services and cleanup services. By knowing all this, you know whether you have all your base covered or if you need to outsource services such as cleanup.
You also need to find out if the caterer offers special meals for children and other wedding professionals such as the photographers. If yes, find out if they charge discounted rates for these.
Due Date for Finalized Catering Choices
Why do you need to find this out? This helps your caterer with preparation. If special meals are on your menu, adequate time is set aside for sourcing the necessary ingredients that may be difficult to come by. It will also help you finalize on your headcount for the wedding by setting your RSVP date based on when the caterer needs your final numbers.
As can be seen, there is no better way to find out all you need other than by doing your research and asking your caterer everything you need to know. All the best even as you make your wedding preparations.
Written by bleu events, one of the top caterers Columbia, MO has to offer.