Questions to ask your wedding caterer
before booking them for your wedding
The food menu matters.
I can honestly say the worst wedding I’ve ever been to was the one where they ran out of food halfway through the guest line. This could have been so easily avoided if the Bride and Groom would have asked the correct questions before booking their caterer and continued to communicate their needs throughout the wedding planning process.
Back in my college days, I catered hundreds of different weddings at hundreds of different venues and let me tell you… people love good food. We want your guests to be full after dinner and rave about your wedding meal for years to come. Nowadays, many venues have preferred vendors, and preferred caterers to avoid disastrous situations or allow for caterers to provide the best experience possible for their couples. Even so, here is a list must ask questions when searching for your wedding caterer.
Availability & Experience
Are they available on your wedding date?
How many years of experience have they been catering weddings?
Have they catered any weddings or events at your venue?
How many weddings do they typically book in a weekend?
MENU & TASTINGS
What type of menus and cuisines do they specialize in?
Can they accommodate dietary restrictions and special requests?
Are they open to customizing the menu based on our preferences?
Can we schedule a tasting session to sample their food?
Is there a fee for the tasting and can it be applied towards the final invoice of our wedding?
Can they provide sample menus to give me an idea of what they offer or what other couples have done?
Staffing & Service
How many staff members will be present on the day of the wedding?
What is their standard ratio of servers to guests?
Will they handle the setup and breakdown of the catering area?
Will they cut the cake or other shareable desserts?
Logistics & Setup
Do they provide tables, chairs, linens and other necessary equipment?
How much time will they need to set up and break down?
What time do they arrive before serving time?
Are there any specific requirements or restrictions from the venue they need to be aware of?
When do you need the final head count before the wedding?
Coordination With Other venues
Have they worked with other vendors at the venue before?
Can they collaborate with my wedding planner, venue coordinator or other vendors?
How do they handle communication and coordination to ensure the smooth flow of the event?
Pricing & Payment
What is their pricing structure and what is included in their packages?
Are there any additional charges or fees that I should be aware of?
What is the deposit amount and the payment schedule?
References & Reviews
Can they provide references or client testimonials from past weddings?
Do they have online reviews or a portfolio of their work?
Do they have any photos or videos showcasing their food presentation and setup?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take your time in making an informed decision when choosing the right caterer for your wedding day. Find the caterer in your budget that aligns with your wedding vision. Generally, the one that your instincts give you the best gut feeling will deliver the most memorable culinary experience for your guests to remember.
