How to get the right catering company for your wedding

When it comes to making your wedding day memorable, the food and drink can be make or break. But narrowing down the choice – and balancing what you like with everyone else’s preferences – can be fraught with difficulty. To help, we at Food Craft decided to sort and answer the most common questions that might be circling around your head if you’re looking to hire the top catering company for the day. 

How should couples choose a caterer? 

“Ultimately you need to choose a company you can trust.” 

The catering partner manages so much of your day and pulls so many elements together, you need to be entirely confident in them. Look at their style and ensure it’s in line with your vision. Check out their website and social media feed, too, as this often gives a true reflection of their style, food and service.

There are a few things to consider – whether your family has a list of preferred companies you must choose from, what style of food you are hoping for, and what your budget is per person. You should first get in touch with all the caterers that interest you, as they will then put together a menu for you and a quote. To get started with Food Craft, fill this form and we’ll take it from there. Wait until you have these back, then compare and create a shortlist of three. The next step is to have a meeting set-up with your shortlist to get an understanding of the food and presentation. (this is the best bit). Remember it’s not just about the food –make sure the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and focused

“One of the best places to start is by talking to family and friends.”

The power of word of mouth is key for caterers. Remember they are the linchpin of the day – your caterer is the person who holds your hand the whole way through. Also, think about weddings you have been to and the food you have enjoyed. After that, speak to friends who have gotten married and ask about their experience with their caterer. You’ll find that Food Craft has earned a reputation of commitment and delivering unparalleled levels of quality and appeasement to customers at all times.

How far in advance should couples book a caterer? 

If your date is planned for 2021 then as soon as possible, because next year is getting very booked up with couples who have been forced to move their weddings from 2020. Once you have the venue confirmed, move onto the caterer research. Often the catering is the first or second company selected. Bringing a catering partner on early means they can offer help with so much of the planning and assist with recommending other industry professionals. Food Craft creates a plan from the early conversations with our couples and this offers real transparency around how the day will come together – which can be really helpful. Generally, we are booked 2 to 12 months in advance of the wedding. This allows plenty of planning time and ensures every last detail is organized. Of course, sometimes we only have a couple of months to plan a wedding, and anything is possible, but you do not want your chosen caterer to be booked up, so the sooner you get your date in their diary the better.

How much will the catering cost – and what makes it more expensive? 

Assume the minimum figure you will be spending per head on the food and drink per guest. Additional styling, food courses, pre-dining stations and speciality drinks can be added on top. Costs can spiral if you don’t have a good grasp on your maximum budget. It is wise to have a think about the areas that are less important to you and what you would be prepared to compromise on, in case your budget doesn’t allow for everything. We suggest budgeting for the event early on and find out the minimum cost for set-up. This will typically cover you snacks circulation, dining meals, and the service required for this part of the day. We also offer several bespoke options to make your wedding feel truly unique, but these do tend to incur additional costs. We suggest outlining your budget early on in the planning process so that menus can be tailored to your needs.

When you give a brief to a caterer, ensure they quote for everything, with no TBCs included. Ask for the worst-case scenario, and then you have all the information you need and can cut back from there. We always quote on an upfront basis with clarity about all costs including delivery and hire (for example kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery, glassware, beverages and stalls) – these two things can really be a surprise to couples. The costs can spiral if you have ‘on consumption’ or ‘hours after midnight’ clause in there.

How do couples decide on a wedding menu? 

Start with what you really love and then factor in the season you are getting married – seasonal produce is always more delicious.  Catering for large numbers can be daunting, especially factoring in what others like or don’t, but your wedding is about you. Talk openly with your caterer about places you like to eat, or places you have travelled to and eaten spectacular food. That way, bespoke menus can be created to reflect you as a couple. All caterers will offer seasonal menus, and planning a menu always starts with ingredients, so think about what is important to you. Are your favourite foods the priority? Are where the tomatoes come from and how your lamb was reared a sticking point? If so, ask your caterer to think about these factors when they design your menu. Don’t worry too much about pleasing all of your guests – choosing food that makes you happy is sure to have the same effect on everyone else.

What should couples do about catering for children?

Children can be an important factor at your wedding and it's imperative that you get the food and entertainment right for them so that parents can relax and enjoy the day. In our experience, lots of snack-type food suits children better on a day when there is lots going on.

What should couples do about those with dietary requirements? 

Ask all of your guests if they have any dietary requirements at the time of sending invites. Your caterer will ask you to confirm these ahead of your big day, but the sooner you provide them with the information the better. Once your caterer knows what requirements they’re working with, they’ll be able to cater for everyones: Dietary needs can be catered for and considered throughout the planning process. We are being asked more and more to cater for vegans and other dietary needs. We will often try to match the menu as close to the main selection as possible, using suitable substitutes. Recently, we catered for a couple who opted for an exclusively vegan menu. This worked wonderfully, especially as they wanted an Italian feel. Those with dietary requirements are no longer a minority and must be very well looked after and never feel like their menu is an after-thought. We work really hard with our development chefs and nutritionists to bring vibrant and different dishes to those with special requirements. Always offer delicious alternatives with synergy to the rest of your guests’ food so they don’t feel second best.

What food would you suggest for later in the evening?

Late night snacks are a chance to have some fun with food. Think about what you and your partner want to eat while you’re dancing the night away. A slider or toastie often wins after a long day spent on your feet. Consider artisan pizza slices and fish and chip cones or a gorgeous ice cream or dessert station. We like to circulate our evening food. Hot food that’s carb-rich tends to be the order of the night and fuels the dancing. If you are looking for something more elegant, we create stunning cheese tables that are good for grazing on until the small hours.

Are there any food trends you think will be strong in 2021?

Local and seasonal produce has become more important than ever. Chefs are thinking more about the environmental impact of growing food and transporting it. In the same vein, kitchens and diners are starting to worry more about waste and sustainability. There will be calls for zero-waste elements on every menu. Meat-free eating isn’t just a trend – it’s here stay, so consider a full-blown vegan wedding breakfast that impresses all your guests – not just the green ones.

Sourcing is the biggest trend we are seeing. Where the food is sourced, the seasonality of ingredients and transparency of sourcing has always been of great importance to us, however we are seeing a big shift with clients now asking about these aspects. Live cooking stations are really having a moment too – in a very rustic, authentic, easy way, whether canapés are served from our signature BBQs or mini pizzas from our wood-ovens for midnight munchies. 

We believe the message is simple for 2021… pure celebration. Sumptuous, fresh and abundant food delivered in a truly generous service style. This year has taught us all what’s really important, and to us, it is that love always wins. 

To book your wedding with us, fill this form or reach us at shubham@foodcraft.in. You can also WhatsApp us directly.