Should you hire a caterer?

The cost of a wedding can send you to the poor house!  Done correctly there are areas you can skimp on that no one will miss.. really after all who has kept every wedding favor received?  The cost of a buffet in town will start around $10.00 per person- a fine buffet will run upwards of $50.00.  Unless you are very skilled and experienced, your cash costs for a self-catered event will start at abut half of what the same event would cost if locally catered.  And it can go up from there.  With poor planning you can do all the work and still pay what a fully catered buffet would cost!
1. Be realistic about your priorities.  What are you really celebrating and who do you want to celebrate with?  Asking the mother of the bride, aunt or friend to be responsible means it will completely take over their attention and they won't be able to celebrate with you.. they'll be working.

2. Menu matters!You can reduce costs by scheduling the start of your reception at a time that is not meal time.  Consider brunch or afternoon tea or even a dessert bar!  

3. Food and Safety Concerns!  Law requires you to obtain a one day liability permit which protects you and the venue from food borne illness.  The host of any event has legal liability for any bad result such as food poisoning. Successful food storage, consideration of dietary needs, handling of leftovers... all something you'll need to learn for a successful and safe event. 

4. Turn it over to the experts.  Caterers know how much to cook and have the right equipment to do it well.  Caterers know how to safely transport and reheat food.  Caterers know how long it will take to serve and how large/small portions should be to ensure all guests are served.  And best of all.. caterers clean up the mess!

Your day is about the marriage.. starting your life with someone special.  Let us do the heavy lifting so you don't have to worry about warm potato salad and cold pulled pork!