The Wedding Meal

By Keeping in mind several important factors, you can be sure to have just what you want on your special day

First of all, you want to think about what kind of food you want at your wedding. The formality of the wedding should match the formality of the food served at the reception. Less formal weddings normally serve snack foods or simple hors d’oeuvres rather than large sit-down meals. Once you consider the formality of your wedding venue and service, you can match your caterer accordingly. For more formal occasions with a full meal during the reception, catering companies will provide wait staff to help guests throughout the course of the meal. For less formal affairs, meals are set up buffet style so guests can serve themselves, or there may be a table or two set up with small items that guests can choose from.

Costing it all out

You want everything to be perfect, but you have to consider the cost involved in having your wedding catered. This includes factoring in the costs of the meal, any wait staff members employed during that time and drinks. Some people choose to have guests pay for their own alcoholic beverages, and this is entirely acceptable. If you wish, you can opt for an open bar, which may leave you with a hefty tab at the end of the vent. Work with your caterer to discuss the pricing for your event.

The quality of the food

Another important factor to consider when choosing a caterer is the quality of the food that the company will serve. Shop around before you make a final decision. Ask friends and family about each company’s reputation to see if they are known for anything in particular and if they are reliable. Your wedding is an important event, and you want to be sure that your caterer will come through with high-quality products and service. When you meet with a potential company, ask questions to see if it offers the services you are looking for. The ideal caterer will work with

you to fit your budget while still maintaining a high level of quality. With these few tips in mind and by asking the right questions, you will be able to find just what you want in a catering company. In the end, your wedding reception will be a huge success.

Wedding Catering Qs

You want your wedding feast to be special, so it is important to take care when choosing your caterer. Here are some important questions to ask to ensure your wedding banquet is exactly what you want.

Menu choices and reception styles

• Do you want a traditional sit-down dinner, buffet or cocktail reception?

• What are your personal preferences, budget and choice of venue?

Budget

• What is your budget? It’s best not to presume that a buffet or cocktail reception is less expensive than a sit-down dinner. The cost will depend on the type of food served, not necessarily how it’s served.

Food preparation

• Does the caterer use fresh food and produce, or will some of the food be canned or frozen?

• Will all of the food be cooked in-house, or will some be purchased or pre-made from another source?

Number of guests

• Are quote prices based on a minimum number of wedding guests? There may be additional fees if the minimum number is not met.

Servers

• What is the ratio for servers to guests?

• How will the wait staff be dressed?

Ethnic food

• Is the caterer able to prepare dishes that aren’t on the catering menu? If you have a favourite “family” dish or ethnic food that is special to you and your family, many caterers will customize to suit the bride and groom’s wishes.

Food sampling

• Are you able to taste some of the caterer’s dishes?

Leftovers

• Ask the caterer what is normally done with the leftover food? Sometimes leftover meat and so on is used for a midnight snack during the dance. Some brides choose to have the food packaged up and brought home, but some caterers don’t allow this because they cannot guarantee that the food is going to be stored properly after the dinner.

Wedding cakes

• Can the caterer bake you a wedding cake?

• Will the caterer cut the cake for you?

• Is it included in the catering fee or is there an extra charge?

Taxes

• Are the taxes included in the catering quote?

Tableware and linens

• Are table linens, dishes, glassware and napkins included in the price?

• Can you look at samples? If you don’t like the tableware or linens they offer, you may be able to rent what you need.

Decorations

• What will the caterer offer in the way of decorations? If you are planning a buffet station, some caterers provide floral arrangements and other decorations. Discuss the colour theme so that all decorations and floral arrangements coordinate. Some caterers also provide decorations for the head and cake tables.

Licence

• Ask the caterer about displaying its catering licence.

Liquor

• Do you need a special liquor permit?

• If you are supplying the alcohol, will you be charged a corkage fee?

Source: www.muchmenus.com.