If there is one thing that guests feel is most important at any event, it is what they eat and drink. This detail is a major one, and should really be given a great deal of thought and planning. The question is, do you hire a caterer or not.
That is an easy question to answer for a wedding planner, we will always say yes, absolutely, hire a caterer. We have seen the good and bad in weddings and know how valuable a caterer is to the success of the event and the experience of the guests.
If you are still wondering just how hiring a caterer will make or break your specific event, think about some of your details. When you envision your big day; do you picture a formal event, something more casual, or perhaps a theme comes to mind? Do you have a large guest list? Is the venue for your reception and/or dinner indoors, outdoors, in a reception center, a convention hall, church hall, backyard, library? The possibilities are endless and an experienced caterer has managed them all, knows the potential problems, and has already developed the solutions.
Let's break it all down into what a caterer does, and what your options are.
If you are still wondering just how hiring a caterer will make or break your specific event, think about some of your details. When you envision your big day; do you picture a formal event, something more casual, or perhaps a theme comes to mind? Do you have a large guest list? Is the venue for your reception and/or dinner indoors, outdoors, in a reception center, a convention hall, church hall, backyard, library? The possibilities are endless and an experienced caterer has managed them all, knows the potential problems, and has already developed the solutions.
Let's break it all down into what a caterer does, and what your options are.
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First, a caterer can be anything from someone who operates a small business out of their home to a professional catering company. Some are contracted with specific venues. Others are very food type specific, meaning they only make certain types of foods, such as barbecue, ethnic foods, or organic menus.
Second, a caterer is licensed by the state health department, which is only obtained after the food manager for the catering company, large or small, receives training from approved programs. What this means to you is that the food served at your wedding is prepared and handled under controlled conditions that are certified as safe and sanitary. Anyone that claims to be a caterer, yet lacks that certificate, is simply a cook that makes food for weddings. Without it, you are risking the safety and health of your guests and could potentially be sued if one or more of them become ill and it is traceable to the food they ate at your wedding.
 | Third, catering companies take care of themselves. Typically, caterers require a location that has electricity, clean running water, food prep areas, etc etc, but, many have the ability and equipment to retrofit a location for an event provided they know they will need to do this in advance. Caterers will normally provide everything needed from plates, to silverware, and enough trained service staff to set up the catering, serve the food, and clean it up afterward. Some do not, and most will charge extra for any additional staff needed. |
Fourth, a caterer will provide you with an interview where you can see a complete breakdown of what they can do, how much it will cost per person, and many have package deals that are very budget friendly. References can be obtained and are recommended whenever interviewing a caterer. This will give you a clear idea of what to expect on your big day, and options to choose from to personalize your menu. As reputable and professional catering companies strive for a standard that customers can expect, you will have the confidence that comes from knowing what the caterer can do and has done in the past.
Which brings me to the Fifth item in our list. Caterers enjoy sitting down with a bride, and often her groom, to see and taste the options available for their wedding in their budget. If a caterer is unwilling to provide a tasting, that is a red flag, as it is an industry norm. Of course, you must schedule the tasting in advance, and if the caterer is popular in your area or if it is during prime wedding season you may need to be flexible about when the tasting occurs.
So, now that you know what a caterer does, let's look at your other options.
Option 1: Friends and Relatives
So, now that you know what a caterer does, let's look at your other options.
Option 1: Friends and Relatives
Yes, we all have at least one very talented cook in our family, some even make their living at it, and perhaps they have their own catering business, but, let's remember who they really are in this situation . . . guests.
When you ask someone to cater your wedding, you are also saying that you aren't inviting them to be a guest. They are expected to work. Now this raises a couple of questions. Are they actually going to work that day, or are they going to tend to want to mingle, watch the bouquet toss, get into some of the pictures, you know what I mean, be a guest? It's difficult enough to keep some paid staff on task when something as fun as a wedding reception is going on, but, at least in that situation you, or your caterer, are the boss and can tell them to get back to work. Not so with a friend or relative. Are you willing to risk the hurt feelings, or, are you willing to risk a hiccup in the catering? Perhaps everything will go just right, but, are you willing to risk it?
Also, and I have seen this happen far too many times, how will you handle it if your friend or relative backs out at the last minute or admits they just aren't able to fulfill all of your wishes? It's a risk you take when you deal with someone that is not a professional, and does not have a signed contract with you.
Perhaps this friend or relative has prepared food for smaller gatherings, but, do they have the experience to take on a large event? Will they have enough food, too much food, both of which you will pay for in either hungry guests that go away from your reception less than impressed, or an unnecessarily out of control food budget.
Professional caterers will make what you want, for the money you agree upon and put into writing. You will know long before your wedding day exactly what your guests will be eating and that they will have a pleasant experience with regard to the food.
When you ask someone to cater your wedding, you are also saying that you aren't inviting them to be a guest. They are expected to work. Now this raises a couple of questions. Are they actually going to work that day, or are they going to tend to want to mingle, watch the bouquet toss, get into some of the pictures, you know what I mean, be a guest? It's difficult enough to keep some paid staff on task when something as fun as a wedding reception is going on, but, at least in that situation you, or your caterer, are the boss and can tell them to get back to work. Not so with a friend or relative. Are you willing to risk the hurt feelings, or, are you willing to risk a hiccup in the catering? Perhaps everything will go just right, but, are you willing to risk it?
Also, and I have seen this happen far too many times, how will you handle it if your friend or relative backs out at the last minute or admits they just aren't able to fulfill all of your wishes? It's a risk you take when you deal with someone that is not a professional, and does not have a signed contract with you.
Perhaps this friend or relative has prepared food for smaller gatherings, but, do they have the experience to take on a large event? Will they have enough food, too much food, both of which you will pay for in either hungry guests that go away from your reception less than impressed, or an unnecessarily out of control food budget.
Professional caterers will make what you want, for the money you agree upon and put into writing. You will know long before your wedding day exactly what your guests will be eating and that they will have a pleasant experience with regard to the food.
Option 2: Pot Luck
Now this one is very tempting when you are having a church hall reception. That said, this is not a church social or family reunion. It's a wedding, and you have thought about it your entire life. When you say pot luck, that is just what you have to expect. If you are lucky, hence the word luck in the title, you will get a nice variety of compatible foods and enough for everyone. If you are lucky, the food will be tasty and presented attractively. On the other hand, how certain will you be of the conditions under which the food is prepared, stored, and then delivered? I could list all of the potential hazards, but, I'm sure you can envision them for yourself.
Another issue I've seen happens when not everyone shows up on time, or at all. If you're having a dinner that needs to have bread or rolls, and the person who said they would bring them is late, then you either have to send someone out for rolls or just eat without them. What about consistency, and yes I could be talking about how runny someones potatoes turned out, but, I am more referring to having different people making the same item, let's say cupcakes. I've seen a dramatic difference in skill levels and often there is at least one person who just should not be baking anything, ever. Again, you have no control when you lean on pot luck.
A professional caterer will pre arrange a time line with you, this assures their arrival at the time you need them to be there, and that the food is set up, ready to be served, on time. The food will be consistent with what you ordered for every single guest.
Now this one is very tempting when you are having a church hall reception. That said, this is not a church social or family reunion. It's a wedding, and you have thought about it your entire life. When you say pot luck, that is just what you have to expect. If you are lucky, hence the word luck in the title, you will get a nice variety of compatible foods and enough for everyone. If you are lucky, the food will be tasty and presented attractively. On the other hand, how certain will you be of the conditions under which the food is prepared, stored, and then delivered? I could list all of the potential hazards, but, I'm sure you can envision them for yourself.
Another issue I've seen happens when not everyone shows up on time, or at all. If you're having a dinner that needs to have bread or rolls, and the person who said they would bring them is late, then you either have to send someone out for rolls or just eat without them. What about consistency, and yes I could be talking about how runny someones potatoes turned out, but, I am more referring to having different people making the same item, let's say cupcakes. I've seen a dramatic difference in skill levels and often there is at least one person who just should not be baking anything, ever. Again, you have no control when you lean on pot luck.
A professional caterer will pre arrange a time line with you, this assures their arrival at the time you need them to be there, and that the food is set up, ready to be served, on time. The food will be consistent with what you ordered for every single guest.
Option 3: Store Bought Snacks
Okay, if I'm being honest, and I always try to be, some stores have great food, and it seems like a reasonable option. Not so fast. We're forgetting what a real caterer does. They bring the food, set it up, and clean up afterwards. If you are buying food from the store it will be up to you or someone else to do all of that, including the serving items, the table setting, just everything to do with it. Again, you may be leaning on a friend or relative for this task which takes us right back to the problems with option 1. Plus, your guests will know the food is from a store and will not feel terribly special. Let's reserve the grocery store snacks for the Super Bowl party.
All in all, choosing the food for your wedding day boils down to how you want to treat your guests and how much you want to be able to enjoy your day. All of the above options have been done again and again, so, if you choose to take one or more of them on, at least now you know the pitfalls. If you choose to work with a professional caterer, that does not mean you will be breaking the bank. Caterers know many brides are on tight budgets, and have developed options and menus that can work with pretty much any situation. There is no harm in checking with a few of your local caterers and weighing that option. In the end, the food you serve is one of the most important ways you are saying thank you to your guests.
Okay, if I'm being honest, and I always try to be, some stores have great food, and it seems like a reasonable option. Not so fast. We're forgetting what a real caterer does. They bring the food, set it up, and clean up afterwards. If you are buying food from the store it will be up to you or someone else to do all of that, including the serving items, the table setting, just everything to do with it. Again, you may be leaning on a friend or relative for this task which takes us right back to the problems with option 1. Plus, your guests will know the food is from a store and will not feel terribly special. Let's reserve the grocery store snacks for the Super Bowl party.
All in all, choosing the food for your wedding day boils down to how you want to treat your guests and how much you want to be able to enjoy your day. All of the above options have been done again and again, so, if you choose to take one or more of them on, at least now you know the pitfalls. If you choose to work with a professional caterer, that does not mean you will be breaking the bank. Caterers know many brides are on tight budgets, and have developed options and menus that can work with pretty much any situation. There is no harm in checking with a few of your local caterers and weighing that option. In the end, the food you serve is one of the most important ways you are saying thank you to your guests.
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