“CATCHING” the best caterer, regardless how small or large the wedding, is very time consuming. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time before the wedding date to start interviewing caterers. If your reception is being held in a facility that provides the caterer then you have no choice but to use that caterer. If you are doing a outside reception or using a facility that does not include the caterer, then you need to start the search.

Check with couples that you know who have recently been married, or friends and family that have hosted weddings in the past few years. You can also ask the manager of the facility to give you a list of caterer that have been used in the past. Oh course you will want to choose a caterer who will do the best for you and your budget. If you are working with a wedding consultant, he or she will give you her preferred list of caterers.

Depending on your budget and the time of day the wedding will take place will set the tone for the choice of food. There are various kinds of receptions that you can do.

If your budget does not allow for a large reception, a simple menu of cake and punch is suitable. You can also include cookies, chocolates, nuts, and other candies.

In the past few years the Hors D'Oeuvers reception is becoming very popular. Couples who are doing second marriages lean toward this type of menu as they do not want the big todo of a large reception. It can be just close friends and relatives, or it may be on the larger side, including a band. The menu for this type of reception would include such things as finger foods. Hot and cold items can be served. Guests can help themselves throughout the reception. It is a much more relaxed atmosphere than a sit down dinner or a buffet. The chef or caterer will be able to guide in to the selections of the foods you choose to serve. The cost of a Hors D'Oeuvres menu can be as much as the cost of a buffet, so the choice is individual preference.

Doing a buffet is more of a complete meal. It can include anything from sandwiches and salads to carved tenderloin and fresh pasta. Guests serve themselves and may return to the buffet for seconds. If you are going to use food stations, traffic flow is very important. The costs of a Hors D'Oeuvers reception and a buffet reception are usually less expensive than a formal sit down dinner, as the labor costs are much lower.

A formal dinner reception will consist of several courses that are served to the guests at their seats. This is the most expensive type of reception as labor costs are hirer and the menu choices increase. The meal usually begins with an appetizer being served first, followed by the first course. The main course is served next. Sometimes you are allowed to pick several choices for the main course, this gives your guests the option of choosing their favorites. Your desert portion may be your wedding cake, or you may choose a different desert whichever you prefer.

Once you have decided what kind of reception you wish to have you need to get started questiong the caterer about the costs. Caterers usually figure their prices on a per person basis. The Hor D'Oeuvers are the exception. These are usually priced per item, such as large trays of cheese and crackers at $35 per tray. Other items will be priced perhaps by the dozen or the hundreds. If you are honest with the caterer right from the start about your budget he will be able to create a choice for you based upon that budget. Of course this would be subject to your approval. A good caterer will be able to take you choice of foods and work them into your budget.

The caterer's policy on guaranteed numbers is very important. You must give a guest count to the caterer. If you guarantee that you are going to have 50 guests and only 45 show up you will only pay for the 45. If you 50 and only 25 show up you will still pay for the 45. The window is usually 5 to 10 percent above or below your guaranteed number. This also applies to the amount of food that the caterer prepares. If you guarantee 50 and 75 show up you will be short l5 dinners considering that he allows l0%. Try to be very careful with this subject, you don't want to ruin your day.

When you do meet with each caterer get all the details in writing. Bring along a pad and pen to jot down all of the important items. It is very hard to remember all of the conversation and you will be able to compare prices and other items with other caterers. Making a list of questions before you go to see a caterer is most helpful. This way you won't forget anything.

Here is a list of typical questions for caterers

• Based on our budget and the number of guests what kind of food items do you recommend?

• Which would be best, sit down or buffet?

• Discuss menus and costs per person.

• Do you provide the linens and is that included in the price?

• Are there color selections for the linens and are changes additional?

• Are the plates, glasses and silverware included?

• Is the rental equipment such as tables and chairs handled by him?

• Would the cost be less if you did the rentals yourself?

• Does he handle the clean up and the rental returns?

• Will he be there on the day of the wedding or will it be someone else?

• Do you provide the wedding cake?

• Is there a cake cutting fee?

• Does he provide the liquor?

• What is the cost per drink?

• Is it cheaper to provide our own liquor?

• If we provide our own wine or champagne is there a corkage charge?

• Do you require a guaranteed number of guests?

• When would you need the final count?

• Do you have a contract?

• When will he provide the per person cost?

• What is your payment policy?

• How much of a deposit do you need?

• What is your refund policy?

• Are the tax and gratuities already figured into the total price?

• What is the percent of the gratuity?

• Do you provide food for the other vendors?

• What is the fee per meal for the vendors?

• Will you do a to go snack for the bride and groom?

• Will you pack the top of their cake?

Visit the Berkshire Bride's Guide to Caterers. here

E-Mail the Author: msprimm@berkshireweb.com

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