Happy fall! As we head into the holiday season, one thing that is very prevalent around this time of year is the food! All of the holiday goodies, traditional and sentimental meals, and sweet treats. Today we’re talking about food when it comes to your wedding. Whether your celebration includes a plated meal or dinner buffet, or simply an amazing spread of snacks – you’ll want to know what to ask your caterer in order to create the wedding of your dreams.
First and foremost, as discussed before in previous blogs in this series, you will want to make sure that they are available! Starting off with every vendor, you need to make sure that you’re asking about your wedding date first so you aren’t wasting precious planning time. After that’s taken care of, you can ask about their history. Questions like how long they have been in business, how many events they cater per weekend and per year, and how many guests they’re able to accommodate, will be helpful in choosing the perfect caterer for you.
You may already know the style you’d like the food served in or you may want to discuss this with your caterer. You can also ask about the provided foods – locally grown, fresh or frozen, and any special or specific cuisines or food you are thinking of. Many couples these days also want to provide a vegan or gluten-free option, so it’s important to ask your caterer what they are able to provide for your guests. 
Often times, your caterer will also provide the cake, linens, and perhaps even the alcohol for your wedding. If you already have a baker in mind, a liquor store you want to use, or linens you’ve always dreamed of, this is the time to discuss those preferences. It’s very important to communicate your vision to your wedding pros so that they can do everything possible to make that happen for you. If the caterer is not able to negotiate with you on the packages they provide, they may not be the caterer for you!
Another thing to consider with your caterer is your venue. Many venues have a preferred wedding professionals’ list and couples are only able to select a wedding pro the venue feels comfortable working with. If this is the case, you’ll want to discuss with those preferred caterers what you would like and what your vision is. Alternatively, if you are choosing our own caterer, it’s important to ensure that the caterer has a license and insurance. You may want to consider asking them for references as well.
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll need to ask about final food choices and guest count. Some caterers provide a certain date before your wedding to send in those final choices, while others may want to know way ahead of time (this is rare but can happen). If your guest count and menu choices may fluctuate considerably prior to your big day, just keep in mind that your caterer will need to be informed .
If all of these options seem a little overwhelming or you need assistance in choosing a vetted professional for your wedding, I can help! I would love to sit down with you and talk about your menu and upcoming wedding. Call me today, at 410-978-2048, and let’s get started!
Lexi
Cover image by Darcy Troutman Photography; caterer — The Savory Spoon Catering Company; venue — The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek
Content image by A Stine Photography; caterer — Santoni’s; venue — Swan Harbor Farm
