Posts Tagged ‘wedding catering’
How to Find the Perfect Caterer for Your Utah Wedding
If there’s one business that is consistently busy, it’s the Utah wedding catering industry. The state experiences possibly the highest rates of weddings in the United States and with the holidays right around the corner, hundreds (perhaps thousands?) of beaus will be popping that ultimate question. Whether you foresee such a request in your future or if you’ve already got the rock on your finger, choosing the perfect Utah wedding caterer will be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make through the course of planning your wedding. Check out these five tips that will help you make the right decision for your perfect day.
Ask for Recommendations
Being a Utah resident, chances are you have attended a few weddings in the past year. You might even have a few close friends or family members who recently tied the knot. Ask around to find out which caterers were used; they’ll definitely be a great resource for reliable recommendations since they’ll be honest and candid with you.
Ask Other Wedding Vendors
Whether your photographer or florist, ask your other wedding vendors if they have any recommendations for caterers. Or many venues have a list of preferred caterers in the state they work with. However, be aware that some wedding vendors have referral commissions, so they may be making some money of their recommendation. Be sure to ask if this is the case to ensure you’re getting a true, unbiased referra.
Search the Web
Some of the best Utah wedding catering companies will have their own websites with many portfolio photos of weddings they have actually catered. Take the time to do some research and peruse these sites carefully; while you obviously won’t be able to taste the food, you can pinpoint the local caterers that create the ambiance and food presentation you’re seeking in your caterer.
Schedule Meetings
After you’ve compiled a list of potential caterers through your web search and recommendation inquiries, set up a meeting to see which caterers can fit within your budget but also meet your needs. Be prepared with an approximate guest count and know what type of catering service you want, such as a formal sit-down dinner or cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Schedule a Tasting
Last but certainly not least, for the few caterers who passed your initial meeting, schedule a tasting before you sign on the dotted line. You need to make sure the food is up to par and exactly what you want.
Top 10 Wedding Catering Tips
If you are a bride-to-be in the midst of creating your dream wedding, you’ve most likely got everything when it comes to the catering covered…or so you think. Check out these ten unique wedding catering tips that you may have left off your list.
• Inquire with other vendors (e.g. the DJ or band, wedding planner, photographer, etc.) if they would like a meal; if so, remember to include them in your final head count. Some caterers charge less for “vendor” meals so make sure you let the caterer know which meals are specifically for vendors.
• Make sure to ask your caterer to provide a “bride-and-groom basket” that is filled with samplings of the food at your reception. It’s highly likely you and your new spouse won’t have a chance to eat and enjoy all the amazing food at the reception, so the basket will provide a tasty, late night snack.
• ask about guaranteed or minimum numbers. Some catering companies provide price quotes based on a minimum number of guests such as 100; if you have fewer guests, you might be charged extra.
• Consider the dietary restrictions of your guests; are there vegan or vegetarian needs or do some guests have allergy restrictions?
• Make sure to know what the catering staff will be wearing and if their attire is appropriate for the formality (or non-formality) of your wedding.
• One thing many brides might forget to do is to confirm the particular wedding caterer has all the proper licenses, health permits, and insurance coverage to ensure both you and the caterer are protected should something happen.
• If you and your new spouse are all about being eco-friendly, make sure your caterer is too. Many caterers (including one renowned Utah catering company) are choosing to employ green practices that aregood for the Earth and their delicious cuisine. From recycling everything to buying local, find out if a caterer utilizes green practices.