The wedding caterer is one of the criteria of choice, and represents a substantial budget. Between tasting, the type of menu … We guide you to choose well and avoid missteps.
How to choose your wedding caterer? Up to starting your Wedding preparationsthe question of providers who will accompany you in The organization of this great day is omnipresent. Who to surround themselves and how to choose them? If there is one that you are not ready to forget it is The caterer: Both for the announcing tastings, and for the place of choice it will occupy in your wedding budget ! It will indeed represent half of your budget and you do not have the right to make mistakes because, let it be said, your guests bet a lot on it too! So here are the 5 essential elements to take into account to choose the right caterer!
1 – The menu type and the services included
Traditional seated 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. In addition, between the seated meal, the buffet or the dinner cocktail, the price varies from single to double.
Which menu to choose? Passe-share menu or adapted to food intolerances and everyone’s desires? This is a sensitive point because on the one hand it is of your marriage of which it is and you must choose above all a menu that suits you, but you must also be providing and think of the food constraints of some of your guests. This is a subject that you can approach upstream with the providers you meet, and which can help you choose your caterer based on the solutions offered. Minimum cutlery, including wedding cake, servers included? Remember to find out about the various services that or not in the service offered by a caterer. Generally, A caterer menu consists of an entrance, meat or fish, starchy, vegetable and dessert. But you are free, for example, to order your part mounted with another provider. As a starter, you can find foie gras, scallops; in meat, a piece of beef; in fish, monkfish. But thematic menus (country meal, Corsica, Breton, exotic …) are very appreciated.
2 – The wedding budget
The share of the total budget which will correspond to the caterer depends of course on the menu type that you will choose in terms of quality than quantity -cocktail and additional services. However, it remains, with the place of reception, the main source of expenditure in the organization of your wedding. These two services can also go hand in hand, certain reception places not to call on other caterers than their partners or own services. Concretely, keep in mind that the Caterer’s average price per person revolves around 80-90 euros. It is then up to you to enhance the importance you want 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 standard menus from the various trainers from your region. You can already eliminate those who offer services that do not enter your wedding budget. Then make an appointment with a few caterers to decide. During the appointment, ask questions about their services. Do not hesitate to ask to taste the dishes. Some caterers will make you pay for tasting or test meal. Also inquire about the right of plug.
4 – Notices and opinions
You do not miss a comment on TripAdvisor or Airbnb before making a decision … The same goes for your marriage! Knowing the opinions and returns of previous customers is essential in the choice of your caterer in order to get a general idea, to know a little more and to avoid unpleasant surprises! Admittedly, the service you call on is turned to food, but the relational and the way of working in your provider count just as much!
5 – The tasting experience
Let’s be honest, this is one of the steps you expect the most in your preparations: Tasting! As funny and delicious as it is, it is essential to get an idea of the quality, freshness and quantity of the proposed dishes, but also to create, complete, refine or confirm the final menu! Beyond taste, also pay attention to the aesthetics of the dishes that are presented to you! After all, you organize an event that deserves flavors and a 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 important service provider on which a good 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 being 100% safe from your choice and everything it understands. Service, equipment, displacement, drinks or cancellation terms: everything must appear in the final estimate!
Article proposed by Julie Hanna of the Zankyou Weddings site.
