Catering Your Reception

Contracting the services of an “off-premise” or “full service” caterer will make for a delicious reception at sites lacking an in-house caterer (private banquet halls, homes or outdoor locations). Caterers also can provide tasty food at pre-wedding events such as engagement parties, bridal showers, family dinners and rehearsal dinners.

Your catering options range from casual hors d’oeuvres to elegant sit-down dinners. Some caterers even provide custom-made wedding cakes. The price you pay will depend upon the menu you select, the food preparation and delivery equipment necessary, the number of guests to be served and the number of servers required to do it.

Many caterers provide a complete spectrum of wedding-related services by supplying table service, centerpieces, linens, tables and chairs, canopies, and decorations in addition to food. Others may prefer to have you rent these items yourself so they can concentrate on food preparation and service. See if your caterer will offer a complimentary consultation to go over the following points:

• Final menu decision date
• Final guest count date
• Deposit amount
• Final payment date
• Total cost (including tax)
• Cancellation policy
• Payment methods