How to choose a wedding caterer

Quick guide to hiring a Wedding Caterer Before you contact the A Do I need a budget? caterer Yes Budget No I'm fabulously rich Work out what you can & can't afford before you contact a caterer What's most important to you? Food & Drink Venue & Dress Try to prioritise your budget and focus on the things that really matter to you. Try to be reasonable and flexible. What's your wedding theme? Decide on the Casual Elegant Vintage Country overall look and feel you want. This will help when selecting a caterer 22 Choosing your wedding caterer 1 Fresh ingredients Make sure the caterers food is fresh FRESH and not cooked from frozen. You'll taste the difference Ingredients 2 Where is food prepared and cooked? Food tastes better if its cooked on the day and not pre-cooked the day before. Presentation of food How does the caterer enhance their food? What garnishes or style do they have? 3 4 Does the caterer charge corkage? Check with the caterer (& venue). Bringing your own alcohol can save you lots of money CORKAGE Selling alcohol? Can the caterer run a bar and provide bar staff. Ask about alcohol licences also. 6 What does the caterer actually do? ? Food Only Caterer Does nothing but the food. Upfront the cheapest option but may cost more in the long run Food & Planning Caterer Assumes the role of a wedding planner. Sorts not just food items but equipment , staff & planning. ןיויויייןיייויייןיויויויויייויויויייויויויויויויויויויויויויויייויויויויויייןיייו 7 Wedding Equipment Does the caterer manage equipment like tables, chairs, plates, linens, silverware & glasses? Ask about the quality of the equipment hired or used 8 Appearance of staff Ask to see photos of staff from 'recent' events. Do they look professional? 9. STAFF Ratio of staff to guests If the caterer offers a packaged price definitely ask the ratio of staff to guests? For good service at a sit down meal aim for one staff per table Vs What is the caterer like to work with? Making changes to your event You'll want to make changes even after booking with a caterer. Find out what changes are permissible when you can change and how much it might cost. Flexibility is key. 10 How devoted is the caterer? Make sure the caterer is not working another wedding on at least the same weekend. Caterers should devote 100% to your wedding 11 Replying to your e-mails Does the caterer return your emails promptly? For a new enquiry the caterer should be replying within 24 hours or less. 12 ! Invoices & Quotes Understand exactly what you're paying for Transparency of invoice Never accept an invoice that just gives a lump sum total. Ask the caterer to itemise items. This way you know exactly what you are paying for. Make sure tax is included. 13 Payment schedule The caterer should clearly indicate what you have to pay and when. Most caterers will allow you to pay in 14 instalments up to the wedding day. Post wedding charges Ask if there are any post event charges. For example, breakages, gratuities or clean up charges. 15 Produced by Home Gurr'own Caterers, UK www.homegurrown.co.uk facebook. Home Gurrown Quick guide to hiring a Wedding Caterer Before you contact the A Do I need a budget? caterer Yes Budget No I'm fabulously rich Work out what you can & can't afford before you contact a caterer What's most important to you? Food & Drink Venue & Dress Try to prioritise your budget and focus on the things that really matter to you. Try to be reasonable and flexible. What's your wedding theme? Decide on the Casual Elegant Vintage Country overall look and feel you want. This will help when selecting a caterer 22 Choosing your wedding caterer 1 Fresh ingredients Make sure the caterers food is fresh FRESH and not cooked from frozen. You'll taste the difference Ingredients 2 Where is food prepared and cooked? Food tastes better if its cooked on the day and not pre-cooked the day before. Presentation of food How does the caterer enhance their food? What garnishes or style do they have? 3 4 Does the caterer charge corkage? Check with the caterer (& venue). Bringing your own alcohol can save you lots of money CORKAGE Selling alcohol? Can the caterer run a bar and provide bar staff. Ask about alcohol licences also. 6 What does the caterer actually do? ? Food Only Caterer Does nothing but the food. Upfront the cheapest option but may cost more in the long run Food & Planning Caterer Assumes the role of a wedding planner. Sorts not just food items but equipment , staff & planning. ןיויויייןיייויייןיויויויויייויויויייויויויויויויויויויויויויויייויויויויויייןיייו 7 Wedding Equipment Does the caterer manage equipment like tables, chairs, plates, linens, silverware & glasses? Ask about the quality of the equipment hired or used 8 Appearance of staff Ask to see photos of staff from 'recent' events. Do they look professional? 9. STAFF Ratio of staff to guests If the caterer offers a packaged price definitely ask the ratio of staff to guests? For good service at a sit down meal aim for one staff per table Vs What is the caterer like to work with? Making changes to your event You'll want to make changes even after booking with a caterer. Find out what changes are permissible when you can change and how much it might cost. Flexibility is key. 10 How devoted is the caterer? Make sure the caterer is not working another wedding on at least the same weekend. Caterers should devote 100% to your wedding 11 Replying to your e-mails Does the caterer return your emails promptly? For a new enquiry the caterer should be replying within 24 hours or less. 12 ! Invoices & Quotes Understand exactly what you're paying for Transparency of invoice Never accept an invoice that just gives a lump sum total. Ask the caterer to itemise items. This way you know exactly what you are paying for. Make sure tax is included. 13 Payment schedule The caterer should clearly indicate what you have to pay and when. Most caterers will allow you to pay in 14 instalments up to the wedding day. Post wedding charges Ask if there are any post event charges. For example, breakages, gratuities or clean up charges. 15 Produced by Home Gurr'own Caterers, UK www.homegurrown.co.uk facebook. Home Gurrown