You’ve been on their website, you’ve read their reviews, and now, you are booking a taste test with them before your big day.

However, you may be wondering what to ask to ensure that this wedding catering service is the right one for your wedding. It’s easy to assume all caterers are the same, but by asking the questions listed here, you will be able to find the perfect team to prep food for your big day.

1.   What Catering Options Do You Offer?

There are many different wedding food services to choose from when you are planning a wedding, but most people are only familiar with the buffet option.

Depending on your budget, you may be able to access a wider range of catering options, with some of the most popular being plated food and food stations. The first is when the food is prepared on the site of the reception, plated, and given to guests, and the other is more of a DIY style.

2.   Are Drinks Standard with Your Catering?

Drinks may or may not be part of your catering team's standard menu. Always ask and don’t assume.

Alcoholic drinks are often charged separately from the standard catering, but, for drinks like orange juice, soda, and mocktails, your catering team may offer a limited amount of these for the set price or the food you have ordered.

3.     Can We Personalize Our Menu?

This is a bit of a dividing aspect of catering teams.

Some will be happy to personalize your menu, and others will provide you with a set menu to choose from. Some will offer a bit of both. To avoid confusion, be sure to ask about what they can offer and, of course, about which allergies, intolerances, and diets they can cater to. Almost all caterers will have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, but they may only have these on set items and may not be able to personalize them.

4.   Do You Provide Plates and Crockery?

You will find that when you are looking for caterers, some will offer plates, crockery, glassware, etc., as standard and included in the price of the catering. Others will charge extra, which will need to be assessed for the cost and quality of the options.

If you are booking a caterer to come to your venue (and they are not included in the location itself), you will need to oversee the times when they will arrive with the food and other utensils. This will ensure everything is ready for the reception and that they are able to slip away before your guests arrive.

5.   When Do You Pick Up Equipment?

If you are hiring a wedding venue to have your reception, there will likely be deadlines around when you and your guests have to leave.

If the catering team you have hired is providing heating trays, glasses, cups, plates, and cutlery, you should ask them what time they will be picking them up from the reception. Many couples ask if the caterer has worked with their specific wedding venue before, and if they have, they will likely know what the drop-off and pick-up times are. Just be sure to get a time and then have someone at the location to let them in to pick up the bits and pieces.

These are just some of the core questions to ask, and you may have your own. Be sure to write them down before attending any taste testing or before sending any emails to make sure you get everything essential answered before selecting your wedding caterer.