The wedding caterer is one of the selection criteria, and represents a significant budget. Between the tasting, the type of menu… We guide you to choose wisely and avoid missteps.
How to choose your wedding caterer? When it’s time to start your wedding preparationsthe question of the service providers who will support you in the organization of this big day is omnipresent. Who to surround yourself with and how to choose them? If there’s one that you won’t soon forget, it’s the caterer: both for the tastings that are coming, and for the place of choice that it will occupy in your wedding budget ! It will in fact represent half of your budget and you have no room for error because, let it be said, your guests are betting a lot on it too! So here are the 5 essential elements to take into account when choosing your caterer!
1 – The type of menu and services included
Traditional sit-down meal or original buffet? This is the first question you need to ask yourself. This choice often goes hand in hand with the style of your wedding so that the moment of the banquet and the menu chosen are in total harmony with the general atmosphere of your event. Furthermore, between the seated meal, the buffet or the cocktail dinner, the price varies from simple to double.
Which menu to choose? All-purpose menu or suitable for food intolerances and desires of each? This is a sensitive point because on the one hand it is your marriage what it is about and you must first and foremost choose a menu that suits you, but you must also be forward-thinking and think about the dietary constraints of some of your guests. This is a subject that you can discuss in advance with the service providers you meet, and which can help you choose your caterer based on the solutions offered. Minimum place settings, wedding cake included, servers included? Remember to find out about the different services that may or may not be included in the service offered by a caterer. Generally, a catering menu consists of a starter, meat or fish, a starch, a vegetable and a dessert. But you are free, for example, to order your assembled piece from another service provider. As a starter, you can find foie gras, scallops; in meat, a piece of beef; in fish, monkfish. But thematic menus (country meals, Corsican, Breton, exotic, etc.) are very popular.
2 – The wedding budget
The share of the total budget that will correspond to the caterer obviously depends on the menu type that you will choose – both in terms of quality and quantity -, the cocktail and the complementary services. However, it remains, along with the reception venue, the main source of expense in organizing your wedding. These two services can also go hand in hand, with certain reception venues not allowing the use of caterers other than their partners or their own services. Concretely, keep in mind that the average caterer price per person revolves around 80-90 euros. It is then up to you to value the importance you wish to give to this service. Gastronomic level, number of dishes, services included, etc.: you are the chef!
3 – Ask for quotes
Start by requesting quotes and sample menus from the various caterers in your area. You can already eliminate those who offer services that do not fit into your wedding budget. Then, make an appointment with a few caterers to decide. During the appointment, ask questions about their services. Don’t hesitate to ask to taste the dishes. Some caterers will charge you for the tasting or test meal. Also find out about the corkage fee.
4 – Reviews and opinions
You don’t miss a review on TripAdvisor or Airbnb before making a decision… The same goes for your wedding! Knowing the opinions and feedback from previous customers is essential when choosing your caterer in order to get a general idea, learn a little more and avoid unpleasant surprises! Certainly, the service you are using is focused on food, but the relationships and the way your service provider works are just as important!
5 – The tasting experience
Let’s be honest, this is one of the steps you look forward to the most in your preparations: tasting! As fun and delicious as it is, it is essential to get an idea of the quality, freshness and quantity of the dishes offered, but also to create, complete, refine or confirm the final menu! Beyond taste, also pay attention to the aesthetics of the dishes presented to you! After all, you are organizing an event that deserves flavors and presentation worthy of such an occasion!
6 – The importance of detail
From the services offered to the opinions collected, including the smallest lines appearing on the quote, pay attention to the smallest details in the choice of this very important service provider on which a large part of the success of your wedding depends! Do not hesitate at any time to ask all your questions, even if sometimes the answer may seem obvious. You must have all the keys in hand to make your decision while being 100% sure of your choice and everything it includes. Service, equipment, travel, drinks or even cancellation terms: everything must appear in the final quote!
Article proposed by Julie Hanna from the Zankyou Weddings website.
