Your wedding caterer will play a huge role in feeding and delighting your guests on the big day. That’s why you need to thoroughly vet potential caterers to find the best fit. These 7 key questions will help you gain insight into wedding catering services and choose a provider aligned with your needs.
1. What Is Your Catering Experience And Expertise?
It’s important to understand a caterer’s background serving weddings and events similar to yours. Ask how long they have been in business, how many weddings they serve annually, and the types of cuisine/service styles offered. Look for extensive experience catering venues like yours with guest counts in your range. You want seasoned professionals knowledgeable about all aspects of wedding catering.
2. Can You Provide References From Past Couples?
Reputable wedding catering in Minneapolis and elsewhere should have no shortage of happy couples eager to give glowing references. Speaking with past clients gives firsthand insight into the caterer’s food, service, style, and reliability. Did they deliver on promises? Were there any hiccups? How did they resolve issues? Couples love sharing wedding vendor experiences, so check these references.
3. Do You Accommodate Special Diets And Allergies?
Many weddings have guests with dietary restrictions. A quality caterer will confidently accommodate needs like vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergies, kosher, and more. They should have policies for noting these needs on RSVPs and preparation protocols to prevent cross-contamination. You want all guests to enjoy safe, delicious cuisine tailored to their requirements.
4. What Is Included In The Proposal?
Itemize everything covered in the catering proposal, including food/beverages, service staff, linens, glassware/dishware, cake cutting, liability insurance, delivery fees, setup/cleanup, etc. Ask lots of questions to determine which elements may incur additional costs. Leave no assumptions undefined so the proposal transparently reflects the complete scope and cost.
5. Do You Handle Alcohol Service?
Many couples opt for alcohol at receptions, so discuss the caterer’s bar service options. Can they provide bartenders and manage the liquor license? Is alcohol packaged separately? Do they offer a full open bar, limited bar, beer/wine only, or consumption-based options? Nail down how alcohol fits into your catering contract.
6. How Are Leftovers Handled?
Clarify the caterer’s policies for dealing with unconsumed food. Options may include packaged takeaways for guests, donations to shelters, or other arrangements. Negotiate how leftovers are handled before signing a contract. Also, discuss if you will keep an uneaten wedding cake.
7. What Additional Fees Or Charges Should I Anticipate?
Get full disclosure of any taxes, gratuities, serving time overages, cake-cutting fees, late charges, and other costs you may incur beyond the base proposal. Are there travel fees for certain service areas? Asking caterers to enumerate “hidden” fees helps prevent wedding budget pitfalls. They should provide a complete pricing breakdown.
To Wrap Up
Vetting caterers thoroughly with these key questions sets your wedding food experience up for success. From dietary needs to service specifics, every detail impacting your catering must be communicated upfront to align with your wedding day vision and budget.
