In a primarily referral based industry, selecting the right caterer may be the toughest decision you’ll have to make in your wedding planning process. Every catering company is so different from one another, and if you don’t know of anyone who has used their service before, hiring them could really feel like a big old shot in the dark.
Hopefully I can help shed some light on this subject for you. I have put together a list of essential questions that I make sure to ask during every initial meeting with a catering company
Here is my budget… what can you do for me? – Tell the company what your budget is and ask them what they can do within that price range. You may have some options at this point such as a choice between buffet or sit down service, or having the dishes and cutlery included in the same package.
Do you have any other weddings/events booked on the same day that could conflict with timing? If so, how do you work around this? - If the company has other events booked, make sure you are truly comfortable with how this situation is handled before going ahead and hiring them. Some companies may try to tell you it’s manageable, but they are sometimes biting off more than they can chew at this point.
Are you licensed? – This question might seem completely obvious but it’s still important to ask them if they have a full license (i.e. does the company meet health department requirements, do they have liability insurance…)
If you charge per person, does the cost per person for buffet vs. sit down vary significantly? – If it’s only a matter of a couple of dollars, it may be worth it to do a sit down service if the waiters are included.
Where do you get your food from? – Sometimes this is very important to know. You may want to research their suppliers to find out if they are reputable as well. The last thing you want to happen is find out the supplier has recently had any recalls or major red flags.
Can I see you in action? – If you want, you can ask to see if the caterers have any upcoming events that you can go in and take a look at, just to see their set up in action and on display.
How much time do you need for set up and take down? – On your wedding day, timing is everything. You really want your caterer to be in and out and as efficient as possible.
Do you require gratuities? – Sometime catering companies will include the tip in the final cost. If they don’t then tipping is completely up to you. Find out whether or not the staff is allowed to accept tips before going ahead and doing so.
Do you do tastings? – Some companies will offer this for free, and others will charge a fee. Either way it is extremely important to have the chance to taste what will be served to your guest. Unless you are convinced the food is amazing, trying it beforehand is a MUST!
How much is the deposit and when is the rest of the bill due? – Make sure to find out in detail how payment is accepted and when the due dates are. Also make sure this is clearly stated in your contract.
If you ask these key questions, you will have all of the information you need to make a wise decision. Remember, you musty be completely comfortable with the company before hiring them to cater your wedding. Establishing a great relationship before the big day will make for a delicious event!
