8 Questions You Didn't Think to Ask Your Caterer

8 questions you didn’t think to ask your caterer

For many brides, a wedding is the biggest single event, and perhaps the only event, they will ever plan. And it’s never going to just be a party. Many brides have no idea what goes into planning a wedding, especially when it comes to the role of the caterer. Your caterer will not just be serving you food. As a caterer, we hope be be some help  in this department. Here are 8 questions that you may have not thought to ask.

Are you licensed?

This should be a no brainer but there are companies out there unlicensed. Bottom line, I would never recommend using a catering company if they don’t have the proper licensing and insurance.

Have you worked at the venue before?

If your venue does not have an exclusive caterer, they will probably have a list of preferred caterers that they have worked with previously. Finding a caterer that has worked at your venue before can make all of the difference. The caterer will know how the venue works, the rules, and most importantly- how they function in that particular space.

Do you charge for a tasting?

This may surprise you but some caterers will charge for a tasting. There’s a lot of work that goes into preparing a tasting menu and the cost can add up. Usually the cost will range from $30-50 per person so check before you schedule an appointment. But don’t worry, when you decide on the caterer they will usually take the amount you paid off of your final bill.

How involved are you in the reception?

Some caterers will take on more of a role of day-of event coordinator, and others will let the other vendors do their thing. If you don’t have a wedding planner, it’s nice if your caterer is willing to take on that role. They will coordinate the reception activities with the DJ, decorate the ceremony area, help your florist decorate the reception area, and make sure the event runs smoothly.

How many events do you schedule per day?

Unless you are hiring a very large catering company that can handle multiple weddings, check to see how many weddings your caterer plans on working the day of your event. Make sure they have enough time and staff to give your event the time and attention it deserves.

What do I do for guest with dietary restrictions?

Many caterers are prepared to do vegetarian and gluten-free dishes as they are pretty standard dietary restrictions and are easily worked around with advance notice. Vegan and kosher are a little more complicated. Make sure your caterer has the capabilities of preparing these foods if you require them.

Where is the water coming from?

You may think this is an odd question, but ask where water for the event is coming from, especially if you are at an outdoor venue. There are a lot of venues that don’t have a traditional source of water and you may want to ask the caterer to bring bottled water. You would be surprised at how many venues I’ve been to that don’t have a proper water source.

How many staff  are provided and what do they wear?

Most caterers will provide your staff- all of the cooking crew, waiters and bar tenders. Find out what they ask their staff to wear and make sure it fits the event. You may even be able to ask them to wear something more fitting to your idea of the proper dress code.