Second only to the ceremony, the reception will be the part of your wedding that friends and family will remember best. The primary key to a successful reception is the food provided. No matter if the wedding is large or small or if you are having a small, cocktail-hour type of reception or a full-fledged, five-course dinner, the food must be of impeccable quality. Choosing a caterer or reception site can be difficult and time-consuming, so here are our Top Ten Tips for finding the perfect one for your wedding:
- Decide if you want a theme for your reception (such as a Hawaiian or tropical location) early on in the planning. This may limit your choices of caterer.
- It's a good idea to look carefully at a minimum of three possible caterers, no matter if you are using an outside caterer at a location or if the reception will be held at a hotel or other locale that provides their own caterer.
- Don't assume that a served dinner is more expensive than a buffet. Ask the caterer – sometimes a served meal is cheaper, mostly depending upon what food you have chosen.
- Don't be afraid to let caterers know your budget. Often they will be able to craft a reception to fit your budget so you can hold it at the locale of your choice, even though the standard menu is beyond your budget. Agreements like this are particularly likely if your wedding is in the off-season or during the morning or on a weekday.
- Check references personally. You may be able to drop by an event in progress and sneak a peek at the setup, but if you are allowed to do this, be discrete (after all, you would not want strangers intruding on your reception).
- Develop a close relationship with the caterer you finally choose, so that they understand your taste and plan for the entire reception, and can present you with food choices that are appropriate for the setting.
- Sample, sample, sample. The presentation on the plate may be gorgeous, but if the food is not good, your reception will not be as successful as it could be.
- Ensure you and the caterer have planned the menu and course order carefully together, so there is no misunderstanding of the service order at the reception. Make a confirmation visit to the caterer a few days before the reception.
- Be sure everything is in writing and you have copies of all the items included (not just the food, but other items such as chair covers, chocolate or champagne fountains, etc.) and those not included. If you change your original agreement, keep written copies of the changes as well.
- Ensure you have a signed contract and have read all the fine print about cancellation in particular. Be prepared to pay up to 50% as a deposit (use a credit card for additional protection).
|
