Catering to Your Wedding
By Jen
Carter*
Wedding
catering
has always been one of the most crucial aspects of
planning a wedding. Besides choosing the food menu items
for the palette, you also need to think of other factors
– could there be potential allergies to certain types
of wedding food, will the food arrive on time, and will
it taste great? For all these reasons and more, it is
very important that you take the time to review the
details of providing great cuisine through a responsible
and reliable wedding caterer. Ideally, you will find
someone who has experience in catering wedding
receptions, rehearsal dinners, theme weddings and bridal
showers. If the caterer is a custom designer, baker or
Chef, they might also help you plan your stunning
wedding cake or cake tops. Here are some tips we have
found that might help make planning your wedding
catering easier than you might think:
1.
Meet the Caterer(s) in person with questions.
Many
local wedding florists, planners and coordinators know
the industry well. Ask them about potential caterers for
your event. If you contact a caterer,
ask to meet with him or her in person. You will want
them to provide references in terms of their abilities
and experience. Make you sure you also contact the BBB
(Better Business Bureau, bbb.org) to see if they are
listed there or are in good standing. Ask your potential
caterer about the largest number of guests they can
handle and when their last wedding catering took place.
Other important details are whether they are insured,
have health permits, and whether they are licensed.
Without a health permit a caterer cannot provide your
wedding food needs.
2.
Check to see if a Caterer is included in your wedding
package.
Many
couples choose to have a destination wedding and find
that special place to hold their wedding ceremony and
reception. If this is in your plans make sure you check
that catering is not included in a wedding package if
you chose one. If catering is included, make sure you
still ask the appropriate questions.
3.
Tasting
Ask
about food tasting. Many caterers will allow a tasting
in advance of the wedding so that you can choose cuisine
that meets your needs. Some charge a fee for this, while
others don’t allow it at all. Use discretion, and if
possible, ask about bringing others to the tasting.
4.
Write up a well-detailed contract
A
business contract is always necessary in any business
transactions and catering is no exception. The contract
can be written and signed by you, the contractor and a
witness (if possible your fiancé or friend) and should
include even the smallest of details to ensure there are
no misunderstanding as to what is expected by both
yourself and the caterer. Assume you will need to put
down a deposit.
5.
Wedding catering menu ingredients
Ask
about the ingredients used in preparing your meal. Are
the ingredients high quality, does the caterer bake
in-house or order out (especially for bakery and dessert
items)? All of this will play a role in pricing out the
ultimate professional caterer for your wedding.
6.
Inquire about the cancellation policy
Always
inquire about the cancellation policy. Read the fine
lines in any contract as there may be stiff penalties /
taxes involved if you need to change your event date or
cancel altogether.
Another
suggestion is to put some thought into a backup plan.
Although it’s rare and highly unlikely a wedding
caterer or catering company would leave you high and
dry, stranger things have happened.
In the end, your choice of wedding cuisine should match you and your
fiancés personal preference and style. By planning your
wedding catering
thoroughly and wisely months in advance, one of the most
important aspects of you wedding will be thoroughly
enjoyed by all. Bon appetite!
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the author.
Content may be edited.
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Source: EzineArticles.com
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