5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Caterer

One of the most important and sometimes complicated decisions you have to make when planning your wedding involves deciding on what food to serve. Like with any other detail that goes into making your day special, finding the right caterer can be a process. To ensure the caterer can meet your specific needs, it’s necessary to ask them the following questions beforehand, to avoid facing disappointments on your wedding day.

1.    Does the caterer offer both buffet style and sit-down options, and if so, what is the cost-per-head charge for each choice?

If you have your heart set on a particular venue, it’s vital to ensure your caterer can accommodate you depending on the number of guests you are expecting. Because wedding venues and caterers usually charge for each guest that’s attending your wedding, ask if there is a cost difference between both dining options.

Buffets work great for a larger guest list, while a plated alternative may be better suited for a smaller wedding. However, if both catering options are available, but one costs a lot more than the other, that information could help with your decision.

2.    Does the caterer specialize in certain types of food such as ethnic, gluten-free, or vegetarian and vegan?

If there is a particular type of cuisine you want to have, make sure your caterer specializes in making it. Knowing how to prepare the food properly means better, tastier dishes.

Finding a caterer who is trained in making different kinds of cuisines is a plus, especially when your guests have a wide range of tastes and palates. Your choice of caterer should have the experience to help guide you in choosing a menu that’s balanced and will appeal to most tastes and dietary restrictions.

3.    Is dessert included in the meal costs or can I bring my own?

Depending on whether you want to serve cake, cupcakes, or donuts, you want to find out what dessert options are available to you. Some questions you can ask are does the caterer make wedding cakes? If a cake is included in a particular package, but you want a tower of donuts instead, what is the cost difference? If you provide your own cake, will a cake-cutting fee apply? Based on your caterer’s answers, you will have a better idea of whether or not they can satisfy your dessert expectations.  

4.    Does the caterer provide catering packages?

If a wedding caterer does offer different food packages, find out how many appetizer and meal choices are available to choose from. Are costs based on the types of food you select or do you offer an all-inclusive rate? Can you customize the different options or are the meal packages preset? Many times choosing a set menu package can save you a substantial amount of money, especially if you plan on having a lot of guests. If your caterer does offer multiple packages, ask for sampling menus you can look at to help you determine which one would work best for you.

5.    Who will oversee the catering on your wedding day?

Ideally, you want the person you worked with throughout the planning process to be there on your actual wedding day, as they will be the best person to understand your needs. However, if they become sick or unavailable, who will be covering for them? Ask your caterer if they have an appropriate replacement in mind so that you can meet them beforehand.

At Heathrow Legacy Club, we pride ourselves on helping you create a memorable wedding by providing excellent food and beverage selections. Our onsite chefs and catering team can assist you in building a custom menu that will be sure to leave you and your guests fully satisfied.

Our chefs have various culinary backgrounds and specialize in many different types of cultural cuisine such as Indian, French, and Caribbean. Contact us today by calling 407-333-1450 or email us at info@heathrowccevents.com for additional information on the catering services we provide.