Wedding Caterers: Choosing The Best Caterer For The Job

SET SOME GROUND RULES

Many a bride and groom have been talked into an extravagant sale simply because they didn't have a game plan when they first sat down with a prospective caterer.The psychological pressure to "pull out all the stops" makes them easy victims of over-zealous entrepreneurs, especially when it's implied that spending less money on one's guests reflects a woeful lack of taste.

Details such as how many guests will be attending, what time of day the reception will be held, and the desired style of service should be decided at the outset.Combine this with a targeted budget range and it will provide the catering company with a comfortable starting point from which to offer a menu of options.If you find yourself getting pushed toward a pricier package than what the two of you have requested, keep shopping around for one who will listen to you.

WORD OF MOUTH

Wedding and party vendors rely heavily on favorable publicity from past clients.Ask the caterer if he or she can supply you with testimonials from satisfied brides and clients who have used their services.You will also find a host of Internet chat rooms where you can ask advice specific to the region where you are getting married.Put out the word to your friends and co-workers, too, as they have probably attended recent events where the food and quality of service made a lasting impression.Take into consideration as well as how long the catering company has been licensed and in business, as well as the cleanliness of the facility where they will be preparing the food and whether they use fresh ingredients (as opposed to canned or frozen). And what about those well meaning relatives who offer to do the whole spread for you?Tempting and economical as it may sound to leave all the cooking to your Aunt Tildy, there's no shortage of horror stories in this department, especially when it comes to expectations.If you do decide to enlist your family for catering services, approach it as you would any contractual agreement and be specific about what you want.Otherwise, it could escalate into a food fight you'll be hearing about for the rest of your marriage.

TASTE TESTING IS A MUST!

One of the realities of wedding receptions is that you and your new spouse will rarely""if ever""get to sample any of the fabulous treats that you ordered for your guests.Why?Because the combination of being photographed, shaking hands with well wishers, and being exhausted from the stress of the day itself won't leave you any time to eat!Therefore, your best opportunity to partake of a caterer's specialties is when you're first auditioning them for the job.A mix of both hot and cold appetizers is the norm"¦but don't go overboard in ordering too many choices.Not only will this significantly up the price but all that diversity is generally lost on the guests anyway who are simply nibbling as they socialize and quaff champagne.Always be wary of caterers who recommend hors d'oeuvres that involve a lot of infrastructure to put together or which contain ingredients you know to be expensive.

If your reception plans call for a buffet, be sure to select items that are easily portable, especially if seating will be limited.If the reception is to be a sit-down breakfast, luncheon or dinner, you have the option of either selecting one neutral entrée that will appeal to the majority or including a selection card with the invitation so that guests can have a choice.

You may also want to query whether the caterer is amenable to supplying only a portion of the feast, with the rest to be furnished by family and friends.Although most of them will balk at this arrangement, the three exceptions tend to be if the reception is being held in a private home, if the festivities revolve around ethnic cuisine derived from family recipes, or if there are dietary restrictions that call for the preparation of separate courses.

If you anticipate having leftovers, ask your prospective caterer how these are typically handled.Because you will already have paid for the food, you are entitled to have a say-so in how it is dispatched.Perhaps you'd like to have the leftovers delivered to a local food shelter or given to relatives who have had to open their homes to out of town guests.And don't forget the two of you!A current trend among caterers is to make up special newlywed baskets""perfect for snacking on before you leave for your honeymoon.

DEFINING ALL-INCLUSIVE

Don't sign any contracts with a caterer or restaurant until you have given yourselves an opportunity to collect a couple of them and compare the contents.For instance, will the caterer also be supplying your wedding cake and beverages as part of the package or would it be more cost effective to contract these items separately with another vendor?If your reception is being held at an off-site facility (as opposed to a restaurant with its own catering component), how many of the service items will need to be rented?If the caterer has an existing stock of glassware, plates and utensils, are these items compatible with your wedding's theme and color scheme?

Pay close attention as well to what the caterer requires in terms of guaranteed numbers of attendees and whether the meals for your musicians, photographer and other wedding vendor staff are subject to a discount.The quote that you are provided will be based on a minimum standard of 50, 100, 150, etc.While it's a given that a larger number of guests will result in a higher cost, many people don't realize that there can also be a hefty penalty for falling short of the anticipated total.Last but not least, inquire whether tax and gratuities have been factored into the package price you are quoted.