1 Month to Plan a Wedding- Catering

Catering and the cake are the yummiest part of wedding planning. Having great food and good fun are the two elements of your reception that can create the ultimate party, or kill the buzz! I'm sure that we have all been to weddings of our friends or family members that we have walked away starving and said, "Where's the nearest restaurant?". You don't want you guests to walk away saying this, but what delicious and personal food that you two choose at your reception. There are several things to consider when choosing the right caterer for your evening. Here are a few tips and reminders to consider when interviewing and meeting with caterers:

• Look at caterers first and foremost on their websites and see the presentation that they create with their food whether doing hor's doeurves, a buffet, or a plated dinner. Presentation is everything, it's what entices your guests to partake. Do they take the time to consider what your decor looks like, what colors your using and implement these into their displays? Does it look appetizing to you? Or do they just slap chaving dishes on your table and leave it at that. Presentation is everything!
• Talk to other brides, family members, or friends and see who they used and who they would recommend. Obviously if those that are invited to your wedding thought a caterer was great, they may be worth while checking out.
• Discuss with your caterer the ability to taste! You want to taste what is on your menu, and even more items if possible, to make sure that you're both happy with the menu that you have created, your menu items compliment each other, and there aren't any changes/additions that you want to make to your menu.
• Consider all of your guests and if there are any special diets, i.e. glutin free, vegetarian's, or children, and make sure that there are items available on the menu for them.
• Don't forget your vendors! More and more vendors are thinking about themselves and including a clause in their contract about being supplied a meal if working over a certain period of time. When you're working at a 9-5 job you're given a lunch break, so all of your vendors should. They are on their feet a long time that day and you don't want your vendors starving and not taking care of you the way you hired them to! And you don't want them going off site for a meal, as they may miss an important part of your party. The best time for them to eat is at the beginning of the reception, when you and your guests eat, because this is down time and they can come back refreshed and ready to begin again! I always say consider your photographers and their assistants, videographers, bands/DJ and their members, and your planner and assistants. You don't have to feed your vendors what you guests are eating, or even off the buffet, but many caterers will offer a less expensive alternative. Some vendors do require a hot meal, as stated in their contract, so definitely keep that in mind.
• The big decision, the difference between buffet vs. plated.... many believe that buffets are going to be a more cost effective option because there isn't a large number of staff needed. Don't be fooled, there is a little thing called portions. You can't control how many chicken breasts or servings of potato's that your guests are going to take. With plated dinners, they are pre-plated so each of your guests gets the same amount of food on each plate, 1 serving per item. There isn't this control with buffet's and even with food stations, and sometimes even caterers can't quite determine what's going to be more popular and may run out of some items, or there overplanning and overcharging what isn't needed. But, you and your fiance' may have a preference of one over the other, so just keep in mind the extra costs that may accrue.

~ Mary Alice, Nashville Wedding Planner
A Delightful Day