California Weds

Friday, Apr. 18, 2008

Catering: Fare and Ambiance

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The professional caterer is the most important person in putting your wedding reception together. After the ceremony your guests will look forward to your reception as a time to share in your happiness and celebrate with food and drink. Whether you serve champagne and cake, or have a formal sit-down dinner, it is essential that you hire the caterer whose services will meet the needs and style of your reception.

Caterers today offer a wide variety of menus and services. You will find caterers ranging from those who provide a simple light fare to those who offer full service including elaborate cuisine as well as ambiance. The full-service caterer will assist you with many of the details which create the atmosphere for your reception with decorations, table linens, beautiful serving pieces and in some cases, even music.

The time of day, the location of your reception, the number of guests, and your budget will help you determine the services you will need and the type of cuisine you will wish to serve. After determining your specifications you can begin looking for the caterer best suited to meet your needs.

A great deal of planning and special attention need to be given to the reception; therefore, it is wise to select a caterer as early as possible. If your reception is being held at a hotel, catering services will probably be provided by hotel staff . Regardless of which caterer you might choose, there are certain questions you will want to ask of any caterer before you make your final selection.

What menu selections are available? The most important thing is that the caterer prepares the type of cuisine you wish to serve your guests. You might choose anything from a light brunch to an elaborate sit-down dinner, depending on the time of your reception. Ask the caterer what the specialties are and what might be recommended for your particular reception.

Does the caterer provide full service? Does service include food and drink preparation, wait staff , place settings, centerpieces and set-up and clean-up? What is the complete cost of the catering service? Does the cost include delivery charges? Are there charges for overtime? What type of deposit is required? Remember to ask about such items as gratuities for service people, and charges for cake set-up, cutting and take-down.

Once you have chosen your caterer, discuss all the necessary details and put the catering specifics in writing. You should include costs and your estimates for the number of guests. Both you and the caterer should sign the agreement.

In the months and weeks before your wedding, work hand in hand with your caterer. This person will play the most significant role in making your reception a celebration to remember for a lifetime.