Catering To Your Love
10 | Lee Enterprises - Western Region Bridal Guide 2026
Questions to ask when interviewing caterers METRO CREATIVE SERVICES A wedding reception is a joyous occasion that affords newlyweds and their guests an opportunity to celebrate into the evening. Various components combine to ensure a memorable reception, but food is a major highlight of the festivities for guests. That places a significant responsibility on couples to find a reception center or third-party caterer who can dish up food that will have guests saying “I do” to a great meal. These considerations and questions can help couples find the right caterer for their weddings. Does my venue mandate use of a particular catering service? The wedding planning website Zola advises that many wedding venues require couples to use a specific catering service. They may have an arrangement with a particular caterer who they trust, or the venue has in-house chefs and servers. In the earliest planning stages after the wedding date has been set, a couple should be sure to pick a venue that will serve the best food possible. Couples who have a specific caterer in mind may need to shop around for a venue that will allow outside vendors. Identify your preferred meal First and foremost, a couple should know how they want to have their food served and inquire with potential caterers about their standard options. Service types often include a formal sit-down dinner reception, a buffet dinner service, a family-style dinner, or a more minimal cocktail offering without a full dinner. The couple can cross out prospects that don’t offer the type of service they desire most. Ask what’s included A couple should determine if a catering service offers food prepared by professionals, the amount of flexibility related to menus, if table settings are included, and if cleanup is
part of the fee. Full-service catering typically includes all of this, while more limited service may be food brought in that requires the venue’s own staff to serve and clean. Compile the right questions It’s important to ask caterers some key questions to narrow down prospects. Some of these include: • Are you a participant in any local business associations? • What events with a similar concept have you catered? • How many weddings do you book each year? • Will my wedding be the only event you cater on that day? • How many guests can you accommodate? • Do you handle special food requests, such as gluten-free or kosher meals? • How many chefs and cooks prepare the meal, or are meals exclusively prepared by the business owner? • Do you allow substitutions or customization to a set menu? • Do you have references for other events you have catered? • Do you have any preferred vendors? • What do we need to know and do regarding delivery? Keep location in mind The distance a caterer has to travel to cater the wedding will affect the price. It’s helpful to find a caterer who knows the venue or has
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had experience with a similar place. What are the contingency plans?
When interviewing caterers, Cvent, an event management software company, suggests asking about any last-minute changes they’ve dealt with to gauge how the caterer handles problem-solving. Inquire about how they adapt if a certain menu item is no longer readily available or what they do if a piece of equipment breaks down the day of an event? Answers to these types of questions can separate seasoned professionals from those caterers who may not be as experienced. Food is a vital component of a wedding reception, which underscores the significance of finding a talented and experienced caterer.
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