Planning Your Wedding Menu? Here's What You Need to Ask the Caterer

Weddings by KMich - wedding planning - catering wait staff in black and white holding plates with food - image- Willow Grove PA

Wedding + Catering Services

Your wedding feast will by far be your largest expense. It’s also one of the things your celebration will most be remembered by. Start making decisions in this arena early. Your caterer and reception site go hand in hand. Hotels, country clubs, and other large special-event facilities will likely have in-house caterers or preferred-caterer lists. When to start shopping for a caterer.

If you are using an on-site caterer, carefully interview them before you book the reception site. If your caterer is independent, decide what to serve (brunch, tea, dinner/buffet) soon so that you can determine the appropriate time to reserve the site.

Schedule a time

Weddings by Kmich Newsletter

Interested in getting more wedding tips, trends & DIY ideas from K’Mich? Sign up to receive our fabulous newsletter every Thursday and every other Wednesday

Before you lock in a caterer, see these questions to ask:

Top Questions to Ask Caterers | 13

1. Will the caterer provide wait staff? You need to know this to determine if you need to hire extra help.

2. How many (wait staff) would they recommend for the site of your wedding? For eg: 150 guests seated at 15 tables, you will need 5 wait staff. These are seasoned and experienced wait staff.

3. What do wait staff wear - tuxedo or company's uniform? (Top caterers say they always use their own serving personnel, even if the site’s staff is available because they understand the caterer’s expectations and way of doing business.)

4. Can the caterer provide alcohol, or is/can the bar be your or the reception site’s responsibility? (If you can provide it, is there a corkage fee? How and when do you get the alcohol to the caterer? If the caterer will provide it, do they have an inflexible wine list, or can you make special requests? How is it priced?)

5. Who would be your main contact? Will the same person you work with when planning also oversee meal service on your wedding day? (You want this to be the case if at all possible)

6. What is the caterer’s average price range?

7. Does the caterer have printed price sheets for food selections?

8. Are costs itemized depending on the foods you choose, or is there an all-inclusive flat rate? What would that include?

9. Will the caterer arrange for a tasting of the foods you might be interested in serving prior to your hiring them? (They should. Some caterer have a tasting fee, this fee is waived if you decide to go with their services)

10. Does the caterer specialize in certain types of food or service? (They should provide you with sample menu to look at.)

11. Is the caterer working any other weddings on the same weekend, on the same day, or at the same time as yours?

12. Where will the food be prepared? Are there on-site facilities, or do you, the caterer, and the site need to make additional arrangements?

13. Does the caterer have a license? (This means the business has met health department standards and has liability insurance; make sure that includes a license to serve liquor if you’re having a bar.)

Related: (previous post) Buffet or Plated. How to Choose?

If you want to know more about us or get the very latest trends and best practices to help guide your planning, check out our About Us page, then follow us on Pinterest or IG for more awesome wedding soiree ideas, and subscribe here at this link. If you still have questions for wedding coordinator, click here to schedule a free 30-min phone consul with an event wedding coordinator.

wedding advice - wedding planning - Weddings by KMich Philadelphia PA

Updated: January 12, 2022

About: Informative, Luxurious, Jaw-dropping Blog For Better Wedding Planning

Our blog is full of awesome one-of-a-kind ideas for couples to see and use to get their juices flowing; it's like having your vision board for guidance; you won't have to worry about missing a beat. The blog is chock full of tips for planning your own wedding, wedding coordination ideas, and even budgeting tips that will get you ready for planning a stress-free wedding. As you engage with any posts, you will see they are unique and smash the mold of traditional weddings, from decor, style, and flowers to bridal outfits and fashion. So, how different or unique are you? Here are two questions for you. Would you have a first look on your wedding day to calm your nerves? Or, opt to wear an elegant evening gown for your ceremony dress? If you are not afraid of venturing out of your comfort zone, you will enjoy what we have in store. Our blog will help you personalize your wedding day to best suit you and your significant other styles. Thanks for indulging us!

Exclusive: This Is What We Actually Do For You?

Don't overlook the little details on your wedding day! Explore our wedding services to ensure a smooth and stress-free celebration. Discover unique wedding day ideas and tips for things you may forget, making your special day unforgettable. We are Philadelphia Weddings+Events by K'Mich, local to the Chestnut Hill area. We are near you. We assist couples with guests counting up to 100-150 with day-of coordination, full planning, and even finding vendors or venue for your event. Your dream day is a day you will never want to forget! From saying you're "I Do" to watching those beautiful people closest to you share touching remarks, these are memories for the future. Our team has worked on large and small weddings, providing services ranging from venue and vendor selection to rehearsal planning, hashtag creation, and more. Regardless of the type of wedding you want, we are 100% ready to help.