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Let me tell you a secret today- Theres something that your wedding guests may be concerned about more than your costly wedding decor or magnificent wedding attire or even your ultra expensive jewelry!
Wondering what it is?
Its the catering service that youll be hiring for your big day!
They say- The way to a mans heart is through his stomach!
Thats true for everyone present at the event. Your wedding guests may or may not remember what you wore or how gorgeous you looked on your D-day. They may appreciate the glitzy decoration and all the other impeccable arrangements. But the delicacies they taste at your wedding will be stuck in their minds and taste buds for a much longer time! So, if you fail to hire a great catering service for such an important day of your life, you may simply screw up all the memories for yourself as well as your guests.
Food is undoubtedly the most integral part of any occasion, be it a wedding or a corporate event. In fact, for most of the people, its actually the reason they are going to an event! So, its imperative that you choose the best catering service so as to make your wedding a day to remember for you and your guests alike!
But how do you do that? Want to know? Read on.
Create a list of all the elements you require:
You obviously want everything to be perfect at your wedding, dont you? So, why not make a plan?
Startup by creating a list of needs for the party. This will help employ an organized approach towards your ultimate goal. Mention everything starting from the date and time of your wedding to the venue to the choice of dishes to be served and so on.
Make sure that your list of needs is well-written. Further, ensure that it is consistent throughout all of your conversations with the various catering companies. This will help get the most appropriate quotes from the catering companies.
Let a number of proposals flow in:
Once you have specified your needs like the number of guests you are expecting, the kind of event you are planning, let a number of proposals from catering companies flow in. This will help have a number of options to choose from.
When you are done shortlisting the catering companies, its time to weed out the most inappropriate choices. Just filter all the proposals as per your requirements. Compare and contrast the cost, service, and menu options.
Consider the preferred venue list provided by your wedding venue:
As a matter of fact, there are a number of venues that have a preferred vendors list. It may or may not be a compulsion to work with one of the listed caterers. However, heres a fact that you should consider before opting out of the catering services provided by the venue.
The fact is- those wedding caterers would be familiar with things that may go wrong. Their experience in catering for that particular venue may help you put up an impeccable event. Also, you never know, those vendors may even have a number of privileges that they can offer you!
Watch out your budget:
Now thats one of the most important aspects of hiring a catering service for your wedding. So, its imperative that you are clear about your budget.
Once you have decided a budget, let the caterers know about your budget so that they can customize the package according to your requirement. Watch out the kind of communication they have and clarify all your doubts so that you dont have any hidden costs to be paid for, on the very day of celebration.
Check for availability:
How would you feel if all your wedding guests are waiting for the delicacies to be served and your caterer is nowhere to be seen?
Sounds quite horrifying, doesnt it?
Well, thats what happens when you fail to ensure the availability of your wedding caterer for your D-day! Also, its a fact that just like the wedding designers or photographers, the caterers are booked faster than you could imagine. So, its advisable to fix the caterers beforehand to avoid any sort of confusion and embarrassment.
Ensure the quality and sustainability:
Nobody would want their guests being admitted due to food poisoning right after the event is over! So, its very important to ensure the quality and sustainability of everything thatll be served.
Go for a catering service that offers you amazing presentation and soul-satisfying taste. The best kind of catering service is the one thats flexible enough to let you customize the menu just the way you want.
Indulge in a thorough research:
Rather than relying on what the catering services claim, indulge in a deep research and find out what the customers have to say. People who have used their services know the best as to what kind of services the companies provide. So, try and leverage WOM.
Go through the online reviews, testimonials and other proofs so as to get deeper insights into the companys services.
Track down the past clients for a better investigation:
Yes, investigation! After all, you wouldnt want to be fooled by a catering company! Its important to go through the online reviews when searching for any service online but that shouldnt be the only thing to rely upon.
The reason?
Well, thats because online reviews may or may not be authentic. Thanks to the hater clients and the fake reviewers. You cant really figure out as to which catering company is good or great! Thats why youll need to go a step further and track down some past clients of the caterers you are considering. Reach out to them and indulge in some meaningful conversations. This will ensure that you are getting the straight story.
Make sure to visit the catering office:
Its important for you to be able to trust the catering company you are about to hire. Thats how youll be able to collaborate better and put up a great event! However, credibility doesnt come easy!
So, its advisable that you visit the office of the caterers you are considering before you hire them. This will help you know if they have a clean and hygienic kitchen and a professional staff.
Once you are confident enough about their professionalism and youve identified the quality and service you should expect at your own event, you may proceed the booking process.
Ask for catering pictures for past assignments:
Wy catering pictures?
Well, there are a number of reasons. These pictures can:
i) give you an idea of how their events are generally set up
ii) help you get a better understanding of their work elements from service ware to those finishing touches
iii) help you know the caterers specialties and decide what all you would like to inculcate in your wedding.
Review the menu:
Time for a reality check- All catering services are not necessarily suitable for all kinds of events!
So, the best solution is to choose the one that best suits your requirements. Review the menu that the catering services provide and dont forget to inquire them about their specialties.
Be clear about your budget, preferences, dietary restrictions and so on. Communicate all your requirements to the caterers and make sure that youll be provided with what youve specified.
Do not go overboard with the menu:
While reviewing catering options, youll get a hell lot of options to choose from. Youll see a wide variety of starters, main course dishes, desserts, beverages and more. Youll be tempted to include more and more of those dishes into your wedding menu.
But hey! What about your budget? Do you wish to burn holes in your pockets?
Obviously not! So, make sure that you dont go over your catering budget. Doing so will not only eat away at your money but also cause chaos at your event pressurizing your catering company to live up to your expectations.
Figure out who is in-charge of rental equipment:
The seating arrangements are crucial when it comes to wedding planning. You obviously do not wish to get that last minute shock of a party with mouthwatering delicacies but no seating arrangements, isnt it?
Well, thats why you need to figure out beforehand who is in-charge of the rental equipment, such as tables, chairs, linens, silverware and more.
Choose an experienced catering team:
The newbies in the catering business may offer a number of enticing offers that you may fall for. But your wedding day is obviously not the time to skimp on quality, right?
So, its better you opt for an experienced catering team to serve your guests on the most special day of your life. A highly professional catering company with an experience in delivering exceptional and inspired weddings and events will ensure you a mishap-free event.
Be mindful of the staff you require:
You wouldnt want your wedding guests to keep waiting with empty glasses or growling tummies, right?
But thats what happens when you run out of staff. So, its imperative that you have a clear idea of the amount of staff you will need for your event. For this, youll need to discuss your plans with the head of catering.
Depending on the event type and scale, the head of catering can help you be sure of the staff required and can further help ensure that all your requirements will be met.
Conduct 2-3 tasting sessions:
This is necessary to ensure that the caterer you choose delivers the best version of what you want on the most special day of your life. So, its advisable to set up 2-3 tasting session with each of the shortlisted caterers.
These sessions will not only allow you to fully understand the quality, style, and presentation of their food but will also help choose the best one of all. Moreover, youll be able to know how professional a company is and how seriously it takes the hygiene.
Be sure if you wish to serve your own drinks or catered ones:
As far as the booze is concerned, there is no hard and fast rule as to what you should be doing. The only thing to be kept in mind is that you have enough of booze until the end of the event!
You may opt for a catered beverages if the service falls in your decided budget. This will include everything from the hard drinks to the glassware to the chilling, serving and washing services. However, if all of this exceeds your budget, you may simply supply all the booze yourself. It may save you some money on booze but youll still have to pay the caterer for beverage management.
Whether you decide to bring your own booze or opt for catered beverages, just make sure that you do not run out of drinks before the event ends. Especially if you decide to supply the beverages yourself, ask your caterer for advice on quantities required.
Ensure the flexibility of the catering company:
The key to an impeccable wedding planning is transparency. Whether its your designer or makeup artist or the caterer, make sure you are clear regarding whatever you require.
Also, make sure that the catering service that you are about to hire is capable of anticipating all your special requirements. Indulge in a meaningful discussion with the catering company and figure out how they handle dietary restrictions, on-site changes, late additions and other such changes.
Once you are sure that your wedding caterer is flexible enough to adjust according to your requirements, you may proceed with the bookings.
Be careful with the contract:
Once youve finalized a catering service, get each and every detail drafted into a document. Ensure that everything from the selected menus to the number of servings to the beverage service details is jotted down in the contract so that theres no confusion at the last minute.
Now that you have the most effective tips for you, you can easily hunt for the best catering service in town!
Source : https://partyvapours.com/blog/clever-hacks-to-hire-the-best-catering-ser...
