Questions You Wouldn’t Think to Ask your Wedding Caterer

Congratulations…you’re engaged! Now it’s time to make some difficult decisions about who your wedding vendors will be! The dress, the flowers and the venue are all incredibly important details, but one of the most important decisions that your guests will care about is the food!  Most couples are looking for a caterer who provides the right food, covers the services they need, and provides an experience that their guests will remember for years to come. But are you asking caterers the right questions? Here’s what our team at 2Shea Catering thinks you should know (or ask!) when choosing the right caterer to work with!

What services are included?

When finalizing your contract with your caterer, you will not only want to understand what delicious food is selected, but what services are included with your catering costs.  Do these fees require a minimum guest count, or include gratuity, rentals, silverware, soda, coffee, etc. for your guests?  Have you thought about extra meals including vendor meals and kids' meals? 

Our team always likes to start off the planning process with a phone call to determine what is most important to each client. Wedding packages shouldn't be cookie cutter, and that 20 minute call really helps us to tailor something specific to meet each couples preferences and align with their budget.  When choosing the right caterer, they should go through a list of questions upon your initial conversation to get all the details of your special day.  After finalizing the specifics, there should be no surprises in the end!

Have you ever catered an event at my venue?

Off-premise catering is our specialty, and we are proud to work with a diverse group of venues in the Capital Region and beyond. You’ll want to choose a caterer that is familiar with and understands the venue so that they can estimate total setup and break down times and understands the ins and outs of your particular venue.  If your wedding caterer hasn't worked at your venue before, we strongly suggest setting up a site visit together to explore any catering obstacles in advance of your event.  In addition, you’ll want to make sure you are looking at caterers that are approved by your specific venue.  

For us, walking the venue with the client and getting a feel for the flow of the day and how the envision guests entering and moving through the space is just as important as knowing if there is running water on-site! Site visits are huge and really assist in a perfect run-of-show the day of.

How many events will you cater on my wedding day?

It’s important to ask your caterer how many events they cater and how many events they cater on your wedding day so you understand exactly what they have planned.  While we have an incredibly busy wedding season each year, we limit the number of weddings we take per day and for the weekend to provide each couple with personalized service and a great experience!

Do you provide the silverware/ linens/chairs?

These can be additional costs that you may not have taken into account! We are happy to provide all needed flatware, glassware, and china for our clients to help keep costs down and ensure everything your guests need to enjoy the evening is on site. Not all caterers do, and that's ok as well. If your caterer does not provide this, a wedding planner can help you determine your needs. Just be sure to cross-check this with your catering team before ordering. 

You can see a great sample of what we offer on our Instagram! Peek here! See something we don't include, let us know! We can help you source the rental!

Do you provide a set menu or can I customize my own? What if I have a special family dish I want to include? Can you cater to kosher/ halal/ any other dietary requirements?

Typically most caterers provide both set and customizable options based on what you are looking for!  Most catering companies offer a variety of service styles like a family-style, buffet or plated for you to choose from as well so that you have multiple options!  

We love when you put your flair on our menu with something that feels like “home” and love to see clients tie in their hometown in some butler passed bites, or design a late-night station tying into their favorites! We currently have a couple doing Philly cheesesteaks as a late-night station and can’t wait to see them enjoy it after a night of drinks and dancing! 

Don’t forget to ask your caterer about vegan or dietary restrictions as well so that your guests have options to choose from!

Do you have an alcohol license?

Alcohol is a key element that most couples will want to have at their wedding to help get those feet on the dance floor!  Make sure to ask your caterer if alcohol is included!  Most caterers will provide beverage services in addition to food, but the caterer does need to hold a separate liquor license to allow them to serve alcohol off-site at your venue.  In addition, some may be licensed to provide alcohol at their venues, but not at an off-site location. 

At 2Shea Catering, we hire a team of professionally trained bartenders who not only know how to make a good drink, but can give our quality customer service experience your guests can enjoy!  

Can you provide the wedding cake?

Caterers oftentimes provide guests with dessert options, which can eliminate the stress of needing to hire another vendor for your event!  Ask your caterer what types of dessert options they have available.  

We do not provide wedding cakes but can offer some great recommendations for bakeries local to your venue that will work with you to create the perfect cake for your day! Just be sure to know if refrigeration is available on site, and ask the baker if it is needed. They may have a dessert station or sweet treat options that your guests can enjoy before ending the night!  We love seasonal stations like cider donuts for the fall or Lemon squares during the summer time! 

While your guests will want to celebrate your love, there are many OTHER reasons people attend weddings, but one of the biggest draws?  The food, of course!  Hiring an experienced and reputable cater is such an important part of your wedding planning process!  Don’t forget to ask the tough questions and once you’ve found a caterer that checks off all the boxes, you’ll be one step closer to planning your perfect day!  

Want more tips? Make sure you are following us on social media to learn more about our catering tips!  Follow us on Instagram here!

Vendors

@alexandraroberts - photography

@canvasweddings - planning

@maryannahairstyling and @artisian_beautybar - hair

@glammedbyevelise - Hannah makeup

@artisian_beautybar - Meg makeup

@flowerscout – florals

@mbrentals – furniture and décor

@red.rugged – custom boxes and menu holders