Factors To Consider When Choosing A Wedding Catering Company
Some brides are lucky enough to get venues with onsite catering. However, majority are those with caterers on their vendor list. Food and drinks take a huge portion of your wedding budget. It can be overwhelming to pick a company that offers catering services. It is because there are a lot of such companies out there. Keep reading to know what to consider when choosing a catering company.
It is essential to come up with a budget before you start looking for a catering company. You should not send emails to caterers until you know how much you are willing to spend. Creating a budget of food and drinks will help you identify which companies you can afford. Also, the catering company you choose will use your budget to create a proposal that can meet your needs. There are different options such as buffet, family style or seated settings.
Talk to the venue providers to know about their requirements and suggestions. Most venues have a list of their preferred vendors. That will be a good starting point for your search. It is comforting to work with caterers who have been to the venue before and met high standards. However, this does not mean you limit yourself to preferred vendors. Most venues usually require the caterer to come with licenses and certifications. You should know the requirements set by the venue before you go ahead to interview catering companies.
It is advisable to get multiple proposals from wedding catering companies. Compare the costs, menu options and services. Discuss with the caterer how many people will attend and the style of your wedding. The caterer will use the provider information to propose the appetizers, waiter and courses.
Give consideration to the dinnerware and linen. If the venue doesn’t have such provisions, identify a caterer who offers the items. You will realize that most wedding catering companies’ partner with rental companies. This may come at an extra fee. It is advisable to choose a catering company that coordinates with rental companies to avoid hiring several different companies.
Consider their style of communication. Good tasty food is a major component when choosing any catering company. However, you need to consider how they treat their clients. A company that takes a long time to get back to you needs to be crossed off your list. Avoid companies that takes long to respond to you. A company that impresses you during consultation will impress you during your wedding.
Read online reviews. Ask for recommendations from family and friends. When you create a final proposal, you can sign on the dotted line. Make sure the contract includes every detail of their services. In case you change your mind about a specific item in the menu, you need to replace it before you schedule the actual tasting.