If you’re planning on throwing a wedding, catering will likely be one of your most expensive expenditures. This is why it’s so important to choose wisely and plan. As the happy couple and their guest circle gather for food and drink, the quality of the meal will be a big factor.
There are several things that you can do to ensure that your catering services are top-notch and make your guests leave with wonderful memories. With a little planning and research, you can purchase a variety of beautiful dishes, hire reliable service staff, cut costs without compromising on quality, and set up an affordable kitchen layout that won’t break the bank.
Make a list of your catering needs before booking
Before you book your caterer or chef, take some time to write out exactly what you need. This will help you ensure that your catering service can accommodate your needs and is worthwhile for the money you’ll be spending. Whether you’re looking for specific types of food, certain levels of quality, or a specific price range, writing these needs down will help you make better decisions. If you have any specific allergies or dietary restrictions, it’s helpful to include them in your list as well.
You can also take this time to think about the kinds of foods that you and your guests prefer. If you and your fiancé like different types of food, you may want to consider hiring caterers with different menus. Alternatively, you may both be fans of a specific cuisine. If so, it may be worth hiring a caterer that offers that cuisine. This can be helpful if you have a large number of guests with different preferences.
Book your caterer as soon as possible after you decide
Once you’ve decided to hire a caterer for your wedding, you’ll want to book as soon as possible. If you wait until the last minute, it’ll be much more difficult to find a convenient caterer that fits your budget and schedule. In addition, you don’t want to be rushed into making a decision based on the caterer that you book.
While it’s best to book a caterer as soon as possible, it’s still a good idea to book a few weeks before your wedding date. This will give you time to look over the contract, check out the caterer’s facilities, and make any last-minute changes or adjustments to your menu.
Try to cook at home before you hire a chef
If you’re pressed for time or want to save money, it’s a great idea to try to cook your food for the wedding reception. Even if you do end up hiring a caterer to help, you’ll still be able to use some of the ingredients you’ve prepared. It’s also a great way to get accustomed to the process and learn what needs to be done to prepare food for an event.
Of course, if you’ve never thought about hiring a caterer before, this may be a bad idea. While you may be able to cook most of your food yourself, there may be some things that you just can’t do.
Set up an inexpensive cooking area in advance
One of the easiest ways to cut costs on your catering costs is to set up an inexpensive cooking area at the reception venue. This can be as simple as finding an empty table in the banquet room, or it can be as complicated as constructing a kitchen. If you’re able to reserve a small area in the banquet room, you’ll be able to use many of the same utensils that the staff uses.
If you’re looking for a relatively cheap solution, you may want to consider using an existing table at the reception venue. However, be careful not to block a pathway or doorway when using this method. If you want to construct your cooking area, you can purchase cheap tables and utensils or construct your own set. If you choose to do the latter, be sure to leave enough room on the table for serving and clean-up.
Hire reliable staff you can trust
When it comes to hiring servers, bartenders, and other staff, it’s important to remember that they are serving an important role. This means that they have to be reliable and trustworthy. If you don’t trust your caterer or their staff, you may end up having a lot of extra work on your hands.
This can waste a lot of time and be very expensive. In addition, hiring trustworthy staff is also important for morale. If you and your staff are happy and satisfied, it will come through in the quality of service and food that you serve.
Use tablecloths and cutlery when possible
Cutting costs on your catering menu doesn’t mean that you have to skimp on décor. Using tablecloths and silverware that are part of the reception venue can go a long way in creating the right atmosphere and tone. It’s also a great way to show your guests that you care about the quality of the food that you’ll be serving.
Don’t skimp on alcohol or dessert!
There is nothing more disappointing than a dry wedding reception. In addition, many guests will treat the reception as an opportunity to celebrate after the wedding. The best way to ensure that everyone has a great time is to make sure that alcohol is served.
Dessert is also another item that should not be considered as a budget-cutting measure. It can be very expensive to buy a cake that people like, so it’s best to go with a simple, yet delicious, cake mix. This will make everyone happy while saving you a lot of money.
Bottom line
Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you want your friends and family to walk away with wonderful memories. To make this happen, you’ll want to make sure that your caterer is experienced and that they are providing quality service. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that you are using quality ingredients and decorations that reflect the tone and energy of your event.
