Questions for Your Wedding Caterer

By Lauren Elizondo

Minneapolis/Feb. 16, 2010/V-Local…Remember that wedding you went to last summer where they served that terrible chicken entrée? Chances are that you don’t want your wedding guests to only remember an icky meal when they come to yours. And they won’t if you take into consideration the following tips and simple questions to ask potential wedding caterers.

First and foremost, ask your reception site if they have any restrictions about wedding caterers they’ll work with or any recommendations about successful caterers. Once you’ve got the clear from the reception site, ask your friends if they have any suggestions or call your favorite dining places to see if they have a banquet option or if they do catering.

Once you have a few in mind, give them a call. Ask about their availability and catering price range before you set up a time to meet so you don’t waste your valuable wedding caterer searching time, or their time. Don’t forget to set up a tasting , too!

After you’ve set up a meeting time with your potential wedding caterer, make sure you know what to ask them. These simple yet detailed questions will help you evaluate what you need and what the potential wedding caterer can provide:

1. What type of menu items and buffet-style options could you offer for our wedding, given the style, date and time?

2. Do you provide special meals for children at a discounted price? How about meals prepared for special dietary needs?

3. How many other weddings will your business handle the same weekend as our wedding?

4. What is the cost-per-person for each catering option that I‘m interested in? Note the difference in prices between buffet-style meals compared to sit-down dinners.

5. Does the cost-person include only the food or are the staff, rentals and linen charges included?

6. Do you have any types of food or distinctive menu items that you specialize in?

7. Are you licensed (up to code with health department standards, liability insurance)?

8. Do you have a liquor license?

9. Do you charge for beverage service?

10. If we provide our own beverages, do you charge a corkage fee?

11. Do you offer wedding or grooms cakes?

12. If we provide our own wedding/grooms cake, do you charge a cutting and serving fee?

13. Do you provide linens, dishware, silverware, tables, chairs, serving pieces and decorations for trays? If yes, is there a color option for the linens?

14. How much time will you need to set up, take down and clean?

15. Can we see a copy of your standard contract?

16. What is the deposit you require to hold the date? When will the total bill be due?

17. Can you refer us to former clients of yours and/or do you have photos from previous events you catered?