Hiring Your Wedding Caterer

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Hiring Your Reception Caterer

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Caterer

In addition to love and joy and health and happiness, your wedding will feature another important element: Food. Whether it’s filet mignon or clams on the half shell, finding the perfect caterer for your affair is one of the biggest steps of your wedding planning. Hungry for help? Follow these steps for delicious tips.

Start looking for a caterer 6 to 9 months’ prior to your wedding date, whether or not you’ve picked your reception site.

“If you want the best, book as early as possible,” says L.A. chef David Brian Sanders. “Don’t assume good caterers will be free 6 months before your wedding.”

Many sites have an in-house catering team, perfect for efficiency and keeping budget costs down. However, with some exceptions, you can search for an outside caterer. The advantage of this option is an unlimited menu and specific requirements that the site’s staff may not be able to fulfill.

To find you caterer, ask friends and relatives, other vendors, and any restaurants that you love. Caterers generally cover every aspect of food and beverages, including hiring the waitstaff and bartenders. They also take care of setup and breaking down the room. Prices vary tremendously, depending on the location of your wedding, the guest list, and the food. You can pay anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000.

Once you start the interview process, prepare as many questions as possible, and do your research. Can the caterer do a Kosher wedding? Ethnic meals? Are there any specific dishes they can’t make? Google the catering companies you’re interested in and check for awards or distinctions that make them unique. The best caterers have at least 5-7 years’ experience. You should ask for references and contact the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.

After you’ve found a caterer you like, they’ll set up a food tasting about 90 days’ prior to your wedding. This is the time to discuss any unexpected food needs (you just found out that Aunt Joanie’s a vegan), as well as any changes to the guest list. It’s especially important to have an early tasting if you plan to send a dinner checklist with your invitation. You can hire a caterer with enough food varieties that a checklist won’t be needed, but that’s only if your budget allows it. “Those caterers are only for big spenders,” says Sanders.

Cost-cutting tips abound. Your caterer can save money by having a buffet meal instead of a sit-down dinner. You can cut out the dessert course (cake is a perfectly acceptable substitute), serve only wine and champagne, or use middle-shelf liquor instead of top-shelf for an open bar.

Before the deal is sealed and delivered, you need to sign a contract. Make sure overtime fees are written down, as well as the attire of the waitstaff. The staff is generally served a meal before or after the reception, and gratuity will be included in the contract. Should you decide to tip extra, have the best man or another member of your wedding give the head caterer the cash at the end of the evening.

Finally, remember to eat the day of your wedding. Brides and grooms are often so busy they forget their meal. And you don’t want to miss out on all those glorious fixings.