| The wedding reception is one of the most important | | | | and thanking you for showing interest in their |
| and meticulous parts of the wedding planning since it | | | | business. |
| involves many people to negotiate with. The | | | | Another good gesture from a reputable caterer is to |
| reception venue and the caterer are the most crucial | | | | invite you to their office to have a look at their |
| sub-parts of the entire wedding because you need | | | | services in fine print, their menu and possibly a taste |
| two parties to negotiate and coordinate with in order | | | | test of their menu if they schedule you on a |
| to make the reception party a success. | | | | preparation day. |
| The venue manager can help you with the place by | | | | (4) Food tasting at the caterer's office/kitchen |
| sprucing it up and providing tables and chairs if he/she | | | | This is crucial especially if you are looking for a |
| has a contact or as a package with the venue. Once | | | | caterer who is known for their menu. You need to |
| that's settled, you only need the florist to style and | | | | taste to believe, so to speak. A good caterer may |
| decorate the area to make it more pleasing. In | | | | not always have available food samples, but a great |
| contrast to the caterer, you will need to look for a | | | | caterer will schedule you to have a taste test when |
| company that commits 101% from their planning to | | | | they are preparing for an upcoming event. So it's |
| execution and in providing excellent service. | | | | best to come back at the caterer's office/kitchen |
| With that said, here are the 7 crucial steps you need | | | | when you are invited for a taste test. |
| to take when selecting the best caterer: | | | | (5) Review the caterer's terms and conditions |
| (1) If the caterer is recommended by someone you | | | | [contract] |
| know, you should still ask around for references aside | | | | It's best to ask questions regarding the contract |
| from your contact/connection | | | | while you are still at the caterer's place because |
| This is crucial because you'll never know if the | | | | there might be some items that are written in fine |
| caterer and the person you know are friends for a | | | | print. Ask about add-on fees such as the cutting and |
| long time. It may be unfair to think that the person | | | | serving of the wedding cake to guests, special |
| who recommended the caterer is biased since they | | | | requests to the wait staff from guests [e.g. getting |
| know each other, but you need to know the real | | | | additional chairs, serving them when there's a buffet, |
| deal with this caterer even before you talk to the | | | | etc.]. It's best to ask now instead of facing a bill that |
| manager. | | | | is way beyond the negotiated amount. |
| Ask around for references from other people who | | | | (6) Ask about the wait staff and catering crew |
| know the catering manager and the company. If | | | | A reputable caterer will always have an experienced |
| they are reputable and has a good background, it | | | | staff and crew especially if they are commissioned to |
| might be worth the try. | | | | cater a huge occasion and venue. Typically, this will |
| (2) Check the caterer's reputation | | | | cost more, but you'll definitely get the best service. |
| There are ways to find out the reputation of | | | | (7) Always observe the caterer's response to your |
| caterers aside from word-of-mouth recommendations | | | | questions and see if you are connecting and on the |
| and background checks. If the caterer has a website, | | | | same page |
| you should check it and look for testimonials from | | | | The best caterer will always give a pleasant and |
| previous clients. Or you may look for wedding | | | | welcoming response to his/her would-be client. Not |
| planners' websites and check their list of | | | | only because it is sure money when a client is warm |
| recommended caterers as well as feedbacks from | | | | and agreeable, but a reputable caterer will go an |
| their own clients. Bridal forums are also helpful and | | | | extra mile to give the client his/her best impression |
| you'll get more unbiased feedbacks from other | | | | and business proposition from day one. |
| couples and/or brides. | | | | Many couples have the trouble of choosing the best |
| (3) What was your first impression when you | | | | caterer for their wedding reception especially when |
| contacted the catering manager/officer? Gauge their | | | | there's no one their connections who know a |
| customer service from the day you contacted them | | | | reputable one. It's almost always a guessing game for |
| It may not always be true that first impressions last, | | | | those who do not have the internet to rely to, but |
| but businesses must know their obligations to their | | | | trusting your instincts when you call and meet the |
| clients and would-be clients from the time they are | | | | caterer to gauge his/her offerings might help. |
| contacted. It's not good customer service if the | | | | Negotiate, ask questions and ask around to get |
| person you talked to did not spend time and effort in | | | | information, and take it from there. |
| explaining briefly the scope of their service, pricing | | | | |