Whether you’re a foodie with a dozen cooking shows on your Netflix/Hulu watch list or just someone who enjoys a good meal now and then, you want the food at your wedding to be fantastic. Wedding guests spend a lot of time at the reception and the cocktail hour waiting to see you. How do they fill that time? They eat. So if you want your guests to fondly remember your big day, then you had better fill them up with some great food from a great caterer.
Finding the Right Caterer
How do you find a caterer who will prepare food that will amaze you and your guests? Start by asking your recently married friends. They’re bound to have some opinions on what local caterers are and aren’t worth checking into based on their own wedding experiences. Next, expand your search by considering local restaurants and checking with hotels and country clubs for their preferred caterer lists. If you’ve already found your florist, videographer, bridal salon or other vendor, then it’s worth asking them too, as they’re connected to the industry and have almost certainly heard some buzz about which caterers are good and which ones are not.
But once you have your list assembled, the hardest part is narrowing it down and ultimately making your final selection. There are a number of factors to take into consideration when making this choice.
How Does the Food Taste?
This one should be the most obvious, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention you should consider how the food tastes. Many caterers offer tasting experiences, and you should absolutely take advantage of them. This is the only way you will be able to glean firsthand knowledge of what the food tastes like, how it’s presented and what style it’s in.
What’s the Quality Like?
As mentioned, it’s not just about taste. Though that’s obviously a major factor, you want a service that combines succulent tastes with amazing presentation. So don’t just try the samples, ask to see pictures of past work. By viewing pictures of the food the caterer serves, you’ll get a real sense of what the food might look like at your own wedding. You should also ask questions about the quality and sustainability of their produce, since some menu items are seasonal and will either be lacking in quality during certain seasons or will be outright unavailable.
How Experienced Are They?
This is your big day – your biggest day. You don’t want it mucked up by someone fresh out of culinary school with little experience catering a huge event like a wedding. Check caters’ websites, their social media feeds and ask them in person about their background in catering weddings and other large events.
How Do Their Settings Look?
Again, this is about more than taste buds. It’s also about the visual component. Find out what each caterer’s place settings look like, as tableware, flowers, candles, etc. all play a part in the overall experience.
Do You Understand Each Other?
You need to set your expectations early with your caterer, and you need to feel confident that they understand them – but also that you understand how they’re going to deliver on them. The best caterers will listen to you and understand your vision, empowering them to use their experience to not just meet your vision, but exceed it with things you didn’t even realize you wanted.
Are They Courteous Servers?
If you’ve ever ate great food at a restaurant that provided poor service, then you understand how important it is for a caterer to really nail the full experience. Look for enthusiasm, expertise, excitement and politeness in all your interactions with any potential caterer. If they can’t put on their best face while selling you on their service, there’s no reason to believe they’ll be able to come through on your wedding day.
What’s Your Budget?
Last, but certainly not least, set and understand your budget. You need to understand what wedding catering services tend to cost up front and figure out what level of service and quality you can afford. Everyone has a budget, even if it’s an extravagant one, so don’t be shy about sharing yours with your caterer up front. If they truly know what they’re doing, they’ll be more than capable of offering you a great package that meets your budget.
Cubic Zirconia Jewelry
Getting the caterer right is (really) important, but it’s not the only big wedding-related decision you’ll make. One that’s even more important? Getting the right cubic zirconia engagement ring. After all, the wedding is only one day, but you’ll wear the ring forever. Don’t forget that Russian Formula cubic zirconia jewelry is the only form of CZ that shines as beautifully as real diamonds.