Caterer Questions

[Julz518]

Since it's so dead today, I figured I'd enlist ya'lls help coming up with questions for my caterer (I'm meeting with him tonight). This caterer is VERY familiar with the site - claims he did all the weddings there last year and is booked for all of them again this year - but he is not affiliated with the site.

Everyone we have asked about caterers has recommended this guy... but my mom has personal experience with him and has not been impressed (raw chicken, moldy rolls, soggy baked spagetti).

So, do I call him out about the bad experiences my mom has had? Or do I keep it to myself so that we don't get off on the wrong foot? I've heard that pleasant brides get better service then demanding ones, but at the same time, I want him to know I'm wary of getting what I pay for from him.

[Julz518]

Here is a list of questions I've come up with for the caterer:

Name:
Location:

Largest event catered: At WPF?:
Can we “spy on” a similar event this summer?

Food
Approximate price pp for: 2 meat entrees, one veg entree, potato, 2 sides, salad, bread, fruit
What is usually included in “package”?
Price difference between buffet & sit down?
Hors d ‘oeuvres: passed or plated?
What else is included (coffee, tea, soda etc.)?
When is the food prepared? How is kept at temperature?
Are all serving dishes/utensils provided?
Are all serving tables/linens provided?
Brunch available (bacon, eggs, sausage)? Price pp?


Rentals
Approximate cost:
Includes? (if not, how much extra)
Tent
Sides
Tables/Chairs for Ceremony
Tables/Chairs for reception
Tables/Chairs for cocktail hour
Portable bar
Dinnerware (plate, fork, knife, etc.)
Serving dishes/utensil/pitchers
Linens
Decorations
Any other rental recommended (dance floor, lighting)?


Service
# Servers/hours : Cost:
What services are performed? (if not, how much extra)
Passed champagne
Passed water/coffee/tea service
Clean-up
Cake cutting & serving
# Bartenders/hours: Cost:
Are servers trained to act as bartenders?
Do bar tenders provide own “equipment”?
Is “glassware” provided?
Ice/coolers provided?
OK to set out tubs of beer/wine?


Logistics
When do rentals arrive?
Do we need to be concerned about set-up/take-down?
Clean-up?
How is garbage handled?
During the event?
After the event?
Is recycling available?
Is a sound system recommended for:
The ceremony?
The cocktail hour?
The reception?

[BJC777SRL]

Wow...I don't have any questions to add to your list, but I do think you should bring up your Mom's experience. No need to be rude or demanding...just inquisitive.
Maybe even start off by saying all the good reviews you've heard, then mention there was one person (I don't think I'd even mention it was your mom...) Who had a less than good experience with him, give him examples of what she said was wrong, and ask how often these things happen, and what precautions has he taken to stop those things from happening at another event.

Wow, kind of a ramble but I think I made a little sense

[ohiobride]

I had QUITE a time with my caterer and even though it was supposedly "free", (a family friend who owned a restaurant said they'd do it for free for our wedding gift), it was HORRIBLE! We were asked 3 weeks ahead of time to just pay for the meat, which totaled $400, and we hadn't budgeted for, then we were asked AT THE RECEPTION to pay the servers. We paid them, then found out the next week that they went back to the restaurant and said we didn't pay them anything. We had two different kinds of meats and the smoked beef brisket was HORRID -- way too much "smokey" flavor and half raw. All the food that was supposed to be hot was cold. Believe it or not, we had this all in writing, too. Needless to say, this restaurant is no longer in business two and a half months later.
Anyway, Julz, there are a few more questions I can think of:
Food -- if you are paying per head, and not everyone shows, do you/your family get to take leftovers?
Servers -- are they dressing in uniforms, or dressing alike?
Set up -- Is "your" caterer overseeing the set-up, serving, etc., or are they sending people you haven't ever dealt with?
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!

[michaelsbride]

Originally Posted by ohiobride

Food -- if you are paying per head, and not everyone shows, do you/your family get to take leftovers?

To go along with this.... do they provide disposable containers, aluminum foil, plates to take food home in/on. Same with the cake since i know people sometimes want to take home a few slices.

[NovemberGal]

Originally Posted by Julz518

Approximate price pp for: 2 meat entrees, one veg entree, potato, 2 sides, salad, bread, fruit

Also ask the price for other vendors that you should feed (photog, dj/musicians, etc) if they are there for the whole night. Many places provide food for the vendors at a much lower rate that the guest per person rate.

[Julz518]

Our meeting with the caterer last night went GREAT! He was so knowledgeable and totally on the same page as we were (no canned green beans!). He was able to answer all of my questions confidently and even gave me extra details I hadn't thought of (like layout of the tent and stuff). Hopefully his quote will be reasonable

Originally Posted by michaelsbride

To go along with this.... do they provide disposable containers, aluminum foil, plates to take food home in/on. Same with the cake since i know people sometimes want to take home a few slices.

They give us all the food in the serving dishes to take home. I doubt any of my guests will want to take any, since most are OOT, but I could probably pick some up cheap take-out containers for the local guests. We are also providing cake/cookie boxes... it's kind of a tradition around here, and kind of acts as the "favor".

[Marksbride]

Glad to hear things went well.

Was his quote within your budget?

[Julz518]

Originally Posted by Marksbride

Glad to hear things went well.

Was his quote within your budget?

We haven't gotten it yet. Last night was just to discuss what we want and who's going to take care of what (rentals, etc.). He's preparing the quote and sending it to me later this week.

[Yelycrazygirl]

Glad to hear everything went well...