Your Wedding Catered For

It is possible to get married almost anywhere, but how do you secure a caterer flexible enough to go anywhere with you, do anything you want and all at a cost you can afford? Here are some things to consider

It is possible to get married almost anywhere, but how do you secure a caterer flexible enough to go anywhere with you, do anything you want and all at a cost you can afford? Here are some things to consider

THE VENUE

Most caterers will have worked in many locations and venues and thus will be familiar with them. Some venues have an in-house caterer or a preferred list, thus you may need to select from the list, however there’s no harm in asking if you’d rather bring in a caterer that is not on this list. If your venue is on private land you can have what you want.

THE CATERER

A professional caterer will not only provide you with superb food and service but also and most importantly, peace of mind. Speak with caterers, get a feel for how they operate, gauge their experience and look for evidence of attention to detail and flexibility.You need to be confident in the abilities of all your suppliers, most importantly your caterer.

THE MENU

Every caterer should offer you the flexibility to design your own menu.They will offer you advice and assist you in the planning, but the decision is yours. It is useful to taste your preferred menu, use this as an opportunity to see it, taste it and judge how the different mix of dishes and courses work. Don’t be shy about saying you don’t like dishes or aspects of them, that is what a tasting is all about.

WHAT TO DRINK

All caterers can provide all your beverages and the necessary service from arrival receptions to cocktail or full bars. It is better to secure these services from your caterer as it offers continuity of appearance, of personnel and of service.Your wines are best selected when you have decided upon your menu, some caterers are fortunate enough to have a sound restaurant cellar/sommelier to assist with your choice.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

The total menu cost is affected by and determined by various factors, the most significant being numbers and menu content. Cost is a little bit of a grey area, so how does a caterer come up with a price? The cost is based upon the price of raw ingredients. Some food items are more expensive than others and are deemed ‘luxury’ food items.This is due to the availability of the item at any given time of year, the labour cost in harvesting the ingredient and seasonal variations. Other factors affecting price are the preparation times and practices used.

WHAT DO I NEED TO REMEMBER?:

Be open and honest in your discussions with your caterer. Don’t be shy about asking their advice on non-food and beverage issues. Use their knowledge to discuss matters that are concerning you or ideas that you have for the day.