One of the most important components of any celebration is the food. From holidays to important milestones in one’s life, friends and families gather together to celebrate the occasions while dining around a culinary feast. Food can spark a sense of nostalgia or a connection to one’s culture. The menu can create an overall feel/theme to an event, so it’s no wonder brides and grooms feel a little stressed when it comes to choosing a caterer. Add in the fact that the catering cost could be as much as 65% of the overall wedding budget and that stress is compounded.
Selecting the right caterer doesn’t have to be so painful, a lot of your decisions can be narrowed down by knowing a few key factors. Here are a few to keep in mind when meeting with potential wedding caterers.
1) Budget: Know your wedding budget. Dana Harris from Zest Atlanta Catering says, “Caterers have a wide range of menus and styles as well as prices. Knowing your budget will eliminate caterers outside of your price range. Additionally, you can narrow down the menus that will fit within your budget thus eliminating any potential wedding caterers that may not be able to provide what you are looking for.”
2) Guest Count- Have a good estimate of the number of guests you are expecting. It doesn’t have to be exact, but an idea of the targeted number is recommended. Emily Gomez from Sun In My Belly Catering tells her clients to estimate that 80% of the invited guests will attend. The number of wedding guests could decrease if there is a large amount of out of town guests. The guest count combined with the budget will get you a cost per person estimate which helps you get a clearer picture. When a caterer knows your budget and guest count, they can walk you through the options, offer advice on selection, and give you an estimate of what your final cost might including tax and service charges.
3) Tastings – Tastings are an inspiring and wonderful way to define the menu you want to serve your guests. When you attend a tasting before hiring your caterer, remember that the menu is a sampling of what the caterer offers. You are tasting foods for quality in the beginning versus actually making a menu selection. After you have selected your catering vendor , they will give you an idea of the time frame you will need to finalize a wedding reception menu and work with you to select a menu that is more in line with your vision.
**** Insider Tip: Caterers take into account the time it takes to prepare dishes as well as the ability of the dish to maintain it’s quality based on the time it takes to serve it to the guest. If you have your heart set on a certain menu, talk with your caterer to see if it is feasible to serve it in a large event without compromising it’s quality.
Last but certainly not least, if you have special dietary needs or allergies, please make sure your caterers are aware before your tasting. Giving your caterer as much information up front will make for a easier planning process and allow the caterer to put their best foot forward for your event.
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Tags: Atlanta caterers, Atlanta Wedding Vendors, atlanta weddings, caterers, Catering, catering services, Wedding Planning
