Getting married is an occasion that everyone attending should remember for years to come. With that said, the food served at the wedding reception is as important as the wedding bands and the dress worn by the bride. For this reason, hiring the right caterer is essential. Here are 5 mistakes that must be avoided during the selection process.
1. Having An Unrealistic Budget
When it comes to catering services, there are many who approach this situation with an unrealistic budget. This is a huge mistake since it can considerably limit the number of options that are available. For instance, if a bride is aiming to spend just $20 per head, there is no way that the best caterers out there would be willing to work for such a paltry price.
2. Not Scheduling A Tasting
Believe it or not, there are people out there who have hired caterers based on pictures alone. While aesthetics are important, this does not discount the fact that the food that is being paid for is tasty and appealing to guests. Before making the decision on who to work with and signing contracts, a tasting needs to be scheduled. If this is not an option, it would be wise to look for someone else.
3. Failing To Ask For References
Anyone can say that they are a great cook and they offer the best services, but this does not necessarily mean it is true. Instead of taking someone’s word for it, it is a good idea to get in touch with people they have worked for in the past. Not only should references be requested, but it is essential that they are all contacted and there is follow through. This will ensure that no one is hired who is not as professional and skilled as expected.
4. Forgetting To Ask About Server/Guest Ratio
It can be a bit inconvenient if guests at the wedding are waiting around for service and there is no one to be found. A great caterer will have a solid server/guest ratio. This will stop glasses from being empty for too long and prevent guests from feeling neglected. Make sure that the exact number is verified prior to making any solid plans.
5. Hiring An Unlicensed Caterer
This is one of those critical errors that can come back to haunt the bride and groom. A wedding is a huge event with many people in attendance and it is important that the company hired has a license. Otherwise, it may be hard to hold someone responsible in the event that something goes wrong. All license information should be recorded and verified far in advance. This will offer enough time in case an alternative option needs to be selected.
The last thing anyone wants is to have bad food and/or awful servers at their wedding reception. All of this can be avoided as long as all of the information here is used wisely during the selection process. Ignoring it would be a recipe for disaster.
