If you're getting married soon, then you may be planning on hiring a caterer. Having a caterer at your wedding can provide you and your guests with delicious, high-quality food. When it comes to choosing your caterer, you may want to conduct some interviews before making a final decision. During the interview, there are certain questions you should ask to find out if the caterer will be able to meet all of your needs.
Licensing
The caterer you choose needs to have the proper licensing. This will ensure the food you eat meets the proper health requirements, which reduces the chances of it making you and your guests sick. You also want to ask if the business has proper liability insurance. In addition, if you are planning on having alcohol at your reception, then you need to make sure the caterer has a valid liquor license. This is required in order for a caterer to legally serve alcohol at an event.
Availability
Of course, you need to make sure the caterer is available on your wedding date. If the representative says your date is available, ask what other obligations the business has on that day or weekend. Caterers will sometimes work at more than one event in a weekend. This is acceptable, but you need to make sure the staffing will be adequate for your wedding reception.
References
Consider asking the caterer to provide a few references for you. This can help you find out the truth about the caterer. There are several things you can ask the references provided:
- Did the caterer show up on time and have the right amount of food?
- Were you happy with how the food tasted?
- Overall, would you recommend this caterer?
If the caterer is unable or unwilling to provide you with references, then that might be a red flag.
Pricing
If you are like most people, then you are on a budget. There are many different expenses in a wedding, so don't sign up for a package that's more than you can afford. Ask for pricing options and compare them with other caterers. This can help you figure out if you are getting a good deal and can help you stay within your budget.
Food Allergies
It may be impossible to cater to the dietary needs of every person there, but if you know you have multiple guests who are on a gluten-free diet, then ask the caterer if there are options available that do not have gluten. You might also consider this for people who can't or won't eat meat or dairy. You may need to pay a little more for specific dietary considerations, so don't forget to factor that into the budget.
Taste Test
Not all caterers will offer a taste testing, but it's definitely something worth asking. You can see if the foods prepared are what you want to serve at the reception. If the business isn't willing to provide a sample for you to try, then you'll have to decide whether it is a company you want to hire. The business may still provide great food, but it's great to get reassurance by trying it firsthand.
Wedding Cakes
Are you planning on using a baker for your wedding cake, or are you hoping the caterer will provide that as well? Some are great bakers, while others strictly provide meals. Find this out beforehand so that you know if you need to find someone else to bake your wedding cake.
It may seem like a lengthy process, but interviewing your potential caterers can help you find the one that is going to work best for you. You may not want to start the interview process until you have narrowed it down to three or four choices so you can save time. Asking the right questions can ensure your caterer will do the job you expect.
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