Why Hire A Professional Caterer?
by Catering Unlimited

The food you serve at your ceremony does a lot more than just feed a hungry crowd - it shows your style in what is prepared, how it is done, and even how it is served. Whether it's chicken cordon bleu or rigatoni with meat sauce, the food you serve makes a statement, as well as satisfies your ravenous guests. Choosing your caterer is an important detail that should not be left to the last minute. Since many area caterers are booked up to a year in advance, it is important to act early to find the company who understands your tastes and can prepare them accordingly.

With so many decisions to be made, it is hard to know where to begin. Before meeting with a caterer, it would be helpful for you and your fiancée to sit down and decide exactly what you are both looking for. What type of reception will it be - an hors d'oeuvres reception, a brunch, dinner, or just cake and punch? If you opt for the traditional dinner and dancing, will it be buffet-style, family-style, or a sit-down affair? Will you use china dishes or plastic and paper disposable?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can book a fitting reception site, whether it be a park, hall, or home. If your reception site has its own caterer, find out if you need to use theirs or if you can bring your own. When you are ready to employ the services of a caterer, don't choose a name out of the phone book. Ask around to find family and friends who have attended wedding receptions where the food was outstanding, and find out which companies they used.
Once you have received the names of some good prospects, visit them in person to compare prices, get testimonials and discuss your options. There is nothing worse than a reception with horrible food.

The caterer you choose should be creative and willing to work closely with you and your fiancée to develop the perfect menu. Ask many questions to find out how willing the caterer is to indulge your ideas, and if they are qualified. Find out if the caterer works from a licensed kitchen, and has the proper insurance. Ask whether your caterer would be willing to work with the florist to provide decorations for your buffet tables. Fresh flowers that match the decor of your reception hall look lovely positioned on the tables, and give a unified look to the entire room.

Some caterers provide set-up, clean-up, and equipment rental, while others merely prepare the food. Find out which services your caterer provides, and if there is an extra charge for any of them. If you do decide to rent dinnerware through your caterer, make sure you know exactly what you are getting. You may be expecting china and glass, but end up with paper and plastic. Also find out if there is a washing charge for the dishes, and if the gratuity is included in the quoted price. Can you take leftover food with you, and will containers be provided for this purpose? All of these questions are important to ask, because they tell your caterer that you are interested in getting the most for your money, and know how to go about doing this. Once you have found that wonderful caterer, put together a contract that states exactly what will be served, when, where, and by whom. Stipulate the deposit requirements and payment procedures, and make sure that taxes and gratuities are discussed beforehand to avoid surprises later.

The value of a catering service does not extend only to wedding receptions. Caterers are professional party planners, and their wealth of expertise can lend style to any pre-wedding bash, including the rehearsal dinner, bridesmaids' luncheon, and showers.

Another event in which many couples employ the services of a caterer is a post-wedding brunch. The morning after the wedding, before the couple leaves on their honeymoon, they host the second gathering of their married life in a celebration brunch honoring family and close friends. This brunch is also the perfect opportunity for the couple to spend some time with out-of-town guests they don't get to see often. By having the event catered, everyone can sleep in after an exciting night, and the food will still be delicious.

Catering Unlimited