Choosing Wedding Caterers, 6 things to consider
Here at Tall John’s Weddings we believe absolutely in a blank canvas. This means that couples can spend as much or as little as they want on their wedding breakfast and any other catering.
It’s not to everyone’s taste to have a grand sit down meal with laid up places and formal service. But we have quite a few terrific suggestions on our Suppliers’ List of caterers who can produce something amazing along these lines if that is what you want to do.
But there are plenty of other and less expensive options to consider too. Once you go for a buffet style instead of sit-down, your staff costs drop dramatically. But you can also choose something very different like a hot oven pizza van, street food, cold buffet, hog roast. The choice is yours if you go for a blank canvas venue like ours.
What should you consider when deciding about catering?
Decide how much of your total wedding budget you want to spend on the food and stick to it. And be open with any caterers or suppliers you contact as there is no point them making suggestions that are way beyond what you want to spend.
Blank canvas wedding venues like ours usually have a list of caterers who are tried and tested. It really helps if the caterer knows the venue and they have a track record of giving good service. So do ask the venue for suggestions.
Rather like choosing the venue or the dress, talk to several suppliers and get down to details with them. Ask them about staff including bar staff, ask them if there are going to be any extras and exactly what you are getting in your quote. Don’t be afraid to ask to taste things and to ask for reviews from past couples. Then you can compare several suppliers with the information to hand.
If you are choosing a blank canvas wedding you will need to factor in tables, chairs, table linen etc etc. Many caterers supply their own but you need to make sure everything is considered.
Alcohol – are you going to supply your own? Does the venue charge corkage? Does the venue have a licence so they can run a paying bar for you? Will your caterers run the bar? And talk about costs!
Good caterers get busy! So once you have decided on your wedding the next urgent item is to find a caterer you really like who can do the date.
