The wedding food is one of the most important aspects of any celebration. Not only does it give you the chance to spoil your guests with an Italian feast, it’s an opportunity to bring all of your loved ones together. As a luxury destination wedding planner, I’m here today to offer my expert advice on all things catering related.

I work with my couples to begin the search for their wedding caterer very early on in the planning process. I have an array of incredibly talented professionals at my fingertips, so I just need to speak with you, listen to your requirements and think of the caterer keen to your wedding. Wedding vendors tend to get booked up months, if not years, in advance, so the sooner you get in touch with a caterer the sooner you can find out about their prices and availability.

I recommend taking your time when looking for your wedding caterer and make sure you do plenty of research. Spend a while browsing through various websites and social media platforms to get an idea of who’s around – don’t forget to have a look at any reviews and testimonials. Reputation is key when choosing your vendors, so you want to ensure they have a proven record of excellent service, quality and reliability. You also want to contact a caterer that you feel reflects your cuisine preferences, wedding style and ethos.

Once you’ve found one or two caterers that you like the look of, get in touch with them to book in a meeting or call. The choice of suppliers you work with will dramatically affect your luxury wedding planning experience, so this is a great way of working out if they are a good fit for your big day.

After you’ve had a meeting and you feel you’re ready to take the next step, it’s time for the fun part – the tasting! You want to be blown away by the delicious food! But the tasting is just “one-day” experience, you should first ask your wedding planner if that caterer works well on a larger wedding reception. You may have a wonderful tasting for 2, but that does not mean they are fine for 100 guests.

Before you begin the search for your wedding caterer, I recommend setting a budget. There is no point contacting a caterer who is well out of your budget but at the same time, if you are prioritising your wedding menu at the top of your list you want to ensure you contact a high-quality supplier. It is integral that you look out for any hidden costs, so be sure to find out if their proposal is all-inclusive or if you will need to cover any additional requirements. You will need to include a budget for the reception canapés right through to the evening food. Many caterers are able to offer a bespoke quote for a menu that has been tailored to you and your wedding day.  Especially the beverage after dinner. There are many options during the dancing!

Your wedding caterer will need an indication of numbers for your reception, as well as any allergy and dietary requirements. They also tend to ask if extra meals will be required for fellow vendors, such as the photographer or band. If you have your venue booked, inform your caterer of the set-up time and details.

Have fun and get creative with your wedding catering – these days, the options are endless! From informal yet luxurious grazing tables that are laden with local, hearty produce, to interactive food stations.

3 Quick Tips for your Wedding Catering

  • Choose a wedding menu that feels like you. It’s your day so focus on the food that you love the most and treat your guests to a culinary experience.
  • Reflect your personalities through your wedding food to add a personal touch to your special day.
  • Make sure you enjoy working with your wedding caterers. They’re a huge part of your celebration and you want to feel like a team.

After the ceremony, the food is one of the things that guests will remember most about your wedding day. Plus, everyone will need some yummy treats to fuel their dancing feet! If you need a hand with your planning journey, visit my contact page here and drop me a message.