You’ve got the venue, the dress, and the ring… but now you need the food. To some food lovers, finding the right caterer is the biggest decision when it comes to planning the wedding. You have enough things to worry about when planning a wedding, so your food shouldn’t be one of them. Finding a caterer that you can trust and rely on can be tough, especially with hundreds of options in the city to choose from. How do you even know where to start?

When you sit down to talk to a caterer or do a tasting, there are a few questions to keep in mind to help you make sure you find “the one”. We’re here to help you with our top five questions you should ask your wedding caterer:

1. What services are included (and, what aren’t included)?

You don’t want any surprises on your big day, so it’s important to know exactly what you should expect from your caterer. How many staff are included? Will they set up and tear down? Is coffee service included? When you get a quote, ask all the specific questions so you can get a complete picture as you compare one caterer to the next. You don’t want to fall in love with one, only to realize the quoted price doesn’t include a champagne toast or late night snacks.

2. Can you get references from previous clients?

Any reputable caterer will have a ton of glowing reviews at the ready and will happily connect you with a past client to discuss their experience. This is beneficial because you can chat with the person about what they liked about their experience and what they learned. Maybe they’ll give you some tips on what cake to order or what appetizers their guests loved! If a caterer hesitates or doesn’t give you anyone, then you know you want to head for the door.

3. Where will the food be prepared?

You will need to know if they intend to prepare the food onsite, as you’ll have to coordinate it with the venue. If you’re getting married out in the country, but your caterer is preparing the food in your city two hours away, that may also impact your decision. Realistically, it’s about what you’re comfortable with and either option has its pros and cons. You don’t want your caterer to ask you where they’ll be cooking a month before the wedding. What if your rustic barn venue doesn’t have a kitchen and you end up disappointed when the van shows up with a trunk full of soggy salad.

4. Can we see pictures of past weddings?

Seeing how they present the food can ensure you avoid any disappointment on your wedding day. If you’re having an elegant wedding with golds and whites, but your caterer shows up with huge stainless steel platters, you may be one stressed out bride. Depending on how much attention to detail you require, knowing how they serve the meals is critical to making your reception decor match the food. Also, it’s good to see the care that the caterer puts in to how the food looks, how it’s set out, and what the finished product will look like so you can make any requests with plenty of time.

5. How much food do you recommend for my guestlist?

Caterers are the experts, so they know best when it comes to how much to order to keep your guests fed and happy. If you’re doing a buffet, it’s absolutely essential to know how much food to order. Never skimp! It’s better to have too much than to have the meat platter run empty after 15 minutes. If you’re doing a plated meal, your caterers can also recommend the course sizes and dessert quantities.

Bonus questions:

What are your vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options?

Will you have a manager or coordinator on site as well?

How much time do you need for set up and tear down?

What are some of the most popular choices?

Do you do wedding cakes? (and, do you cut the cake?)

It’s never a bad thing to ask a bunch of questions! Good caterers will be more than happy to answer every single question and make you feel at ease. It’s your big day, so make sure you feel confident that your food will impress your guests, keep your tummy full, and be delivered without a hitch. We hope these top five questions you should ask your wedding caterer have put your mind at ease.

Have any questions for us? Feel free to reach out!

Written By Brad Dalli from Dalli Digital