The cost of catering is often a budget concern for many couples, so much so that they would choose to self cater or choose a venue with on site catering in order to avoid the hassle and cost. Both of these can be great alternatives, but I want to dispel the “fear” of catering companies. What many people may not know is that catering companies do not just provide you with food. Most quality companies also provide rentals (chairs, linens, etc.), they will set up and break down your venue (even if the rentals come from another company!), they have excellent decor skills, they clean up the venue afterward and work closely with all of your vendors. So you are paying for so much more than just food!
Coming from a planner perspective, the set up/tear down is invaluable. If you don’t have a planner or a good caterer, that leaves you or your family to do the manual labor. Even a planner with a staff cannot set up and tear down as efficiently as the catering staff, it is what they do all the time and they have it down to a science. When I work with a great company, they often have the tables down, stacked up, linens packed up and are vacuuming and moping by the time I have taken care of all of the floral arrangements. Not to mention, working with a staff that is prepared, gets food out on time, clears quietly and nobody notices they are around is worth every penny!
So remember, when you get that proposal from the catering company, you are getting your food but also everything that goes with the food in order to make your event a success.
Other things couples might not know about working with caterers:
1. You may only get to taste the main course, not appetizers (they cannot make their appetizers for 2-4 people, it is not a good use of their time or resource)
2. You will have to choose a limited amount to taste (these cost them money and they cannot cook everything on their menu for you)
3. Venues with on site catering are going to work differently than a catering company
4. They want you to tell them what you think, honestly, even if you don’t like it, it helps them improve
5. They are willing to work with you, move items around from dish to dish, they want you to be happy
6. You will only be allowed a limited number of people at a tasting
7. Often the cake tasting is separate from the menu tasting (it is easier that way)
8. You will have to pay if you want to do an additional tasting
9. You need to know your budget in order to get a proposal from a company (some will not work with you for less than a certain amount)
10. Some companies will require that they are one of two final choices before they do a tasting for you
