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Wedding Planning > Hiring Vendors
How to Select a Caterer for Your Wedding Reception
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Alcohol
The other major topic you will need to discuss is whether or not
alcohol will be served. If you do not plan to have alcohol, let the
caterer know, and the issue is over. If you do plan to serve
alcohol, be sure that the caterer offers alcohol service and find
out about how it works as far as pricing. There are a large number
of options. You can offer a certain number of drinks per guests with
a cash bar afterward. If you would like more control over how much
your guests drink, set up a limit of bottles of champagne or drinks
per guest. You need to be sure that the caterer has liability
insurance to cover the alcohol sales and any other details related
to the alcohol.
Payment Terms
There are some details you should take into account as well. Ask
about the deposit and when the remainder of the payment is due. In
addition you need to ask about whether tipping is acceptable if the
caterer provides staff for bar or serving at tables. Also you should
find out about how many staff members are included in the standard
cost, and if you think there should be more staff members, then you
need to ask about hiring additional people.
Final Costs
Find out when you will receive the final cost quote. You typically
will not receive it until about 90 days before your wedding. Be
prepared for rising costs, particularly if you have a large number
of fruits or seafood where price tends to fluctuate. Ask about the
payment of the final bill as well as the date when the caterer will
need your final head count. You will need to set the RSVP date one
week before the caterer needs the head count.
These major issues will help you to ensure that you and your caterer
are on the same page with the plans for your wedding. The caterer
plays an important parting your wedding day, so don’t make any
decisions with which you don’t feel comfortable. If you feel
comfortable with the caterer, you will have one less stressful part
of your wedding day.
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