3 Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Caterer

Are you planning your wedding? If so, one of the first vendors you'll need to book is your wedding caterer. Your caterer plays a huge role in how your guests remember your wedding. If the food and service are high-quality, then that will add to their enjoyment of the evening. If the caterer's performance isn't so great, that could leave your guests with a sour taste in their mouths. It's worth the time to interview several caterers and do your due diligence before making a selection. Here are a few things to consider as you're looking at caterers.

What does the food look like? Taste is obviously an important consideration, but so is the plate's appearance. Consider that plates of food will likely be the last thing to hit your guests' tables before they transition into party mode. You've invested in centerpieces, linens, and other table decorations to make the reception visually appealing. You should take time to ensure that the food will match the same standard.

The catering company should have photos to provide. You can also search for them on social media. You'll likely see pictures on the company's own social media page, but also comments about the company from people who hired them in the past. This could be the best way to see pictures and get other unbiased reviews.

Can they work in your venue? You venue will likely recommend a list of preferred caterers. It's a good idea to consider these caterers because they'll be familiar with the venue's kitchen and service should run without a hitch. However, you may want to consider vendors outside of that list. Or, you may be holding your reception in a non-traditional location like a park or your backyard, so there's no history of preferred vendors available.

If that's the case, be sure to get a full understanding of how the caterer will prepare the meal and how it will be served. Will it be prepared offsite and transported to the reception? If so, how will it be kept warm? Does the venue have all the equipment the caterer needs to prepare your specific food items? Get into the details on this so you don't have any surprises on your big day.

Can they accommodate special requests? Caterers often face a big challenge in that they are preparing a large amount of food that all has to be served at the same time. That can make it difficult for them to go off the menu for special requests. However, if you know in advance that you may need special accommodations, they may be able to plan ahead for it. Do you have a guest who has specific food allergies? Can they prepare kid friendly plates like chicken nuggets for the children who are in attendance? Talk about this in advance with the caterer and see if they're open to working with you on this point.

For more information, contact a catering company like Mascaro's Catering. They can share their processes with you and help you understand how they can make your big day extra-special.