hot boxes, coolers, and other temperature-holding equipment, so knowing what the kitchen includes and how much space is available is vital. Some venues have lots of space but don’ t have ovens or sinks. These details will be important to share with your caterer. If they have to bring hot-holding equipment or their own potable water, that could affect your costs.
If your caterer will also be providing the bar services, make sure to ask if they’ ll be providing the actual beer, wine, and liquor, or if you have to provide them. If it’ s going to be a cash bar, each state has specific licensing requirements regarding caterers selling alcoholic products, so make sure you and your caterer are clear about who’ s providing what. Your venue may also have its own regulations for the sale and service of alcohol. It’ s always the safest bet to have a licensed bartender for your event. Alcohol can significantly drive up the costs of your event, so make sure it ' s something you’ re comfortable with before adding the service.
A final, accurate head count is of utmost importance and is usually due two to three weeks before your wedding. Caterers have to place wholesale orders for your grocery items, and it’ s a bit more complicated than just a routine shopping list. Wholesale orders come in case quantities, so your event may only require a partial case of something, and all of that has to be figured out by your caterer while also meeting the ordering deadlines for the delivery schedules. Adjusting a head count after the caterer’ s deadline date might cause extra expense if the business has to secure additional items at the last minute, or if the count goes down, then the caterer is left with product
Lots of factors go into the costs of catering, from the type and amount of food you’ ll be serving to even what the servers will be wearing.
An important consideration when booking a venue for your reception is if they have the adequate equipment and space to make the menu you want to serve.
they bought but don’ t need. Before selecting a caterer, make sure you know what the deadline date for your final head count would be and ensure your invitations and reply dates are issued accordingly.
If you’ re having a formal wedding, or even a casual one, you may want to discuss what the catering staff will wear. If you have a special request for their attire, that may incur a cost if it requires uniforms that the caterer doesn’ t already own.
Because catering businesses fall under the same guidelines as the restaurant industry, health department rules must be observed. Extra food from your event may be able to be sent home with you, but how much will depend on the caterer and the venue’ s ability to properly cool down and store hot food or properly store extra cold items. No one wants to get sick from food that hasn’ t been properly managed. Asking your caterer all these questions in advance can help ensure you have peace of mind on your wedding day.
As you would with any service provider you’ re spending a significant amount of money on, you should ask lots of questions before committing to a specific caterer. They should have workers’ compensation insurance, liability insurance, liquor liability insurance( if they’ re providing bar services), a current food service permit, and a business license. You can also ask about their recent health department evaluation, and you should always request a contract or written estimate for the menu and service style you’ re requesting.
Lastly, and most importantly, you should try the caterer’ s food. You should like what you eat on your wedding day! If the caterer has a restaurant, ask if the food is the same as what their catering department serves. Most caterers offer tastings so you can try the items on your menu.
All caterers in the wedding industry want the same thing for you as your florist, photographer, DJ, and venue, which is to ensure you have a great time while celebrating your big day with your family and friends. And great food and drink play a big part in that.
The Season Events 300 Glenn Milner Blvd., Rome, GA 30161( 706) 234-2244 | theseasonevents. com
Holly Lynch is the owner and founder of the Rome-based company The Season Events, which has been serving clients in Northwest Georgia and beyond since 2007. In addition to helping people plan their perfect wedding or gathering, she likes to travel with her husband and spend time with her two schnauzers. nwgeorgialiving. com | 23