Asking this question will give you a good idea of what types
of meals to include for your wedding dinner. Whether it's a sit-down meal with
food selections available to each person, or a buffet where guests get to
sample a few different entrees at once... you want to offer choices that will
appeal to a variety of palates and preferences.
A good rule of thumb (which, if the caterer is a good one,
will likely already have in place) is to provide options that include either
fish, red meat, chicken or vegetarian meal/pasta.
What types of cuisine do you specialize in?
Many brides and grooms decide that they'd like the
wedding-day menu to reflect their heritage. Do you both come from Greek
families? Then you might search for a caterer who can create an authentic Greek
wedding menu. Even if you are of mixed backgrounds, it still can be fun to
offer cuisine from one specific corner of the world. Perhaps Spanish food,
including favorites like tappas, chicken and seafood paella, and rodiccio are
at the top of your list. Or maybe you'd like a menu with a fresh, Asian theme
that includes sushi, spicy Thai, and other eastern elements. If you do go with
an ethnic menu, just be sure that the caterer can also provide options for more
simply prepared meals that can be enjoyed by picky eaters and people with
special dietary needs.
This brings us to the next question: do you accommodate
special dietary requests?
Don't forget that some of your guests may have
allergies, food intolerances, and medical conditions like diabetes and high
blood pressure, which would limit options for what they can eat. A good wedding
caterer will be able to take requests for these guests. Inquire as to whether
the cost of specially prepared meals is included in the per-price plate, or if
there is a fee for adding to their menu.
Do you offer wedding menu packages, and what is the cost of
each?
Our wedding caterer provided a list of buffet choices that we were able
to pick and choose for each category (red meat, fish, chicken, pasta). A buffet
meal typically costs less than tableside service, because it requires fewer
employees.
Is the food prepared in advance in your own kitchen, or do you require a kitchen on-premises?
This
question is important for DIY weddings where the caterer comes in from the
outside (as opposed to the type of wedding venue that includes on-site catering). Ask whether their staff will require access to a kitchen that
includes ovens, food storage facilities, etc. and then communicate this to the
wedding hall people so you can be sure all your bases will be covered on the
big day.
Do you offer a kids' menu, and if so, can the children be
served first?
Feeding the kids first is a win for everybody. You can't go wrong with a simple menu that includes kid favorites like chicken fingers, fries, and simply prepared pasta. Children get hungry quickly, and feeding them on time will certainly stave off potential meltdowns, which will be key during a formal occasion such as a wedding. Advance-serving kids' meals also allows all of the parents in attendance to oversee
their children's dinner ahead of time. This way, by the time their own meal is served
the responsibility is out of the way and the parents can enjoy their food without
interruption.
