The food is such a big part of your wedding so it's really important to get it right!Ĭheck out UKAWP Member Melanie Egan of Bellissimo or follow her on Instagram for all your wedding planning needs.ĭISCOVER: First steps of wedding planning are the hardest – a complete guide from start to finish They will be out of the office a lot from April through to early October.Ībove all, be clear on what your expectations are and really feel that you can trust the caterer you choose. You should have good communication when you need it but remember your caterer will be busy on a Thursday/Friday prepping for weddings on the weekend. Ask how many staff they are going to provide and that they will cover additional services without cost to you, for example, serving your drinks at the reception and ordering your tableware without putting a per cent cost on top.Īrrange your food tasting date ASAP, taking into account that the tasting season usually runs from October to March. Make sure you know who is responsible for kitchen equipment hire costs. © Tom & Lizzie Redman Ask whether staff will serve your drinks at the reception or if it's an additional cost You won't know how many guests you are going to have until around 1- 2 months beforehand and you may be subject to a minimum number.įind out what your caterer's policy is regarding dietary requirements - will they supply all menu adjustments to suit dietary requirements and allergies without additional charge? Your contract should allow you a certain amount of flexibility on guest numbers. A reasonable deposit would be around 20-30 per cent of the total expected contract value, but sometimes it is a fixed sum. You should expect to pay a deposit against the final balance to secure your caterer. Once you have chosen your caterer, what should you expect? See how quickly they reply to your enquiry and supply you with sample menus or a quotation.Check you can get out of the contract and get your deposit back in the unlikely event you are not happy after the tasting.Private event caterers will need a formal booking and deposit before offering a food tasting.If they ever cater public events then you can visit and sample their food.Follow their socials and get a feel for how their dishes look on actual wedding days rather than styled pictures.Check online reviews on Google and Facebook.Try to shortlist three who suit your vibe, have your date available and fit your budget. Most caterers on peak dates /months will have a minimum number they will cater for which is usually around 80-100. © Tom & Lizzie Redman Try and go to food tastings at public events RELATED: Don't fall into these 3 huge wedding stationery money traps, experts warn READ MORE: Does a micro wedding really cut costs? How much you can actually save Then remember that your wedding caterer (depending on your venue and the facilities) will effectively be bringing the whole restaurant to you! Think about how much it costs you nowadays to visit your favourite local go-to restaurant for something similar to what you think you'll serve on your wedding day. This is one of the biggest mistakes that couples make. Whatever it is, be clear on what you are looking for and start comparing reputation, presentation and budget. If you are ultra low-key, a BBQ or food truck might be your choice.Perhaps the thought of restricting guests to one main dish worries you so a buffet or food station with a variety of options is more your style. Think a slow-cooked leg of lamb to carve along with a selection of side dishes. Family-style service sees guests seated at formal tables but this time big bowls and plates of food are bought to the table for guests to plate themselves.All meal choices will need to be confirmed around one or two months prior. a meat option and a vegetarian/vegan option. You can usually offer your guests a choice e.g. This would normally be one chosen menu for all guests, taking into account dietary requirements.
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