31 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer

Sometimes choosing your wedding caterer can feel like a minefield, but the important thing to remember about having an outdoor wedding is you have the freedom to choose whichever caterer you want. Whether it is food vans, traditional caterers, hog roast, sharing platters – the choice is simply yours. We’ve put together a handy list of 31 questions to ask you wedding caterer as a way of helping you make the choice that is right for you!

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Essential

1) Is my date available?

2) Have you catered for an outdoor wedding before?

3) What time do you arrive for set up, and what time do you leave after the door service?

4) Do you require a catering tent for your preparation area?

Drinks

5) If we provide our own drinks, can you serve these?

6) Are you able to provide a bar/drinks service?

7) Do you have a bar for hire, or do we need to hire a structure?

8) Can you take care of arrival and reception drinks set up?

9) Do you provide the alcohol?

10) Can you provide the glassware?

11) Will you obtain the events and alcohol permits for the day?

12) Can you provide tea and coffee?

Food

13) Is there a particular type of cuisine you specialise in or do we have freedom to choose?

14) Can you provide catering throughout the day i.e. canapes, wedding breakfast and evening food?

15) Is there a set menu that we choose from or can we create our own?

16) Do you do food tastings prior to booking, and is there a cost for this?

17) Can you cater for dietary requirements?

18) At what stage do we need to confirm guest numbers?

19) Once we have cut the cake, can you cut this into portions for our guests?

Coordination

20) Do you have a floor manager who will run the team on the day?

21) We have a wedding coordinator, can you speak with them directly to agree a schedule for the day?

Practical Stuff

22) What is your usual setup for an outdoor wedding, do you need us to hire a catering tent?

23) Do you provide table linen, glassware and crockery?

24) Is your team responsible for setting the tables?

25) Will you be catering another wedding on the day, if so, who will be responsible for our day?

26) Will you remove all of your rubbish or will this be left for us to sort?

27) Do you provide waiting staff and a bar service team? If so, how many?

28) Does your quote include VAT?

29) Does your quote include fees for expenses such as travel and additional staff?

30) Can we use any other suppliers such as food vans in the evening or an outdoor bar?

31) Will the clear down of your equipment be on the evening or will you have to return for this?

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Further Inspiration

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Supplier Credits

Caterers Thomas The Caterer | The Alpine Pizza Co | Midlands Catering

Photos Hannah Hall Photography | Light & Lace Photography | Magda K Photography | Jenny Macare Photography | Inna Kostukovsky Photography