Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Caterer

Planning your Cleveland wedding is a large undertaking. There are so many details to think about, from the obvious where, when and who, all the way down to the tiniest details, such as the font on the invitations and the color of the vases for the centerpieces. One of your most important decisions is who will cater your wedding reception. From choosing catering companies to trying what they have to offer, and even making sure their service is of the highest quality, what seems like such a simple task can get very overwhelming very quickly. But as food is a rather large portion of your wedding budget, you want to make sure everything you are getting with your caterer is nothing short of the best. Here are a few tips for choosing the right company for your wedding catering needs in Cleveland, Ohio.

Know Your Budget

Creating a budget for your wedding is essential to making sure you have enough to spend on everything you need, and that you don't go broke in the process. Allocate a certain amount to catering. Once you figure out how much you're willing to spend, then you can start contacting wedding catering companies. With a set amount of money, those caterers can give you a realistic idea of what they can do for you.

Get Several Estimates

Make sure that you get estimates from several different caterers, which will allow you to compare and contrast not only cost, but menus and service as well. Make sure you ask for specific details. With your budget and headcount in mind, the caterers should be able to give you an idea of the appetizers and courses, along with how many waiters and other essential staff can be provided.

Read Reviews

A helpful resource when narrowing down your choices for wedding caterers are the reviews from previous clients. If you know of anyone who used a particular caterer you are considering, ask them for their opinion as well. How the waiters act and attention to detail (as well as making sure the bride and groom get their food!) are all important factors that can make or break your reception, and reviews from past clients can give you some insight.

Pay Attention to How They Communicate

While making sure the food tastes good is a crucial factor in your decision-making process, you should also be paying attention to how the caterer communicates with you. Do they leave you waiting several days when you ask a question? Do they constantly get the information you have already provided with them wrong? Are they always asking for your names, or calling you by the wrong names? If so, now is a good time to say thank you, but no thank you, and cross them off your list of prospective caterers. If you find yourself less than impressed with how they act now, there’s a good chance they won’t wow you on the day of your wedding.

Arrange Tastings

There are many catering companies that won’t provide tastings until you have already signed the contract. This can be particularly frustrating if you’ve never had that caterer’s food before. But there are a few ways to get around it. Some companies host dinners for prospective clients, or serve tastings at bridal expos. You can also find out if you can pay a small fee for a mini tasting, during which you can try 3 to 5 dishes. Once you’ve found the caterer that you love, all that’s left to do is choose the menu, sign the contract and arrange for a final tasting before the big day!

The right wedding caterer is an essential part of your wedding. Michaud’s Catering does more than host events, such as your Cleveland wedding reception, we can cater it as well. And with 84 years worth of experience, backed by pride in what we do and a high standard of quality, we make sure that your wedding catering needs and expectations are not only met, but exceeded. If you are in need of a wedding catering company for your upcoming wedding, give us a call today!