5 Critical Questions to Ask before planning your wedding meal

1. What is our budget?
   We find that people are not prepared for the price of a wedding catering. Most of us have few chances in life to cater events, so we forget to factor in the additional costs, such as rentals, service, delivery, taxes, and gratuity. When all is said and done, a large wedding will most likely have a large price tag. It’s important to really think through your budget and let your prospective caterer know what your range is. They should be able to quickly tell you if they are able to work with your budget, and if not, may give you some alternative suggestions. Like restaurants, there is a wide spectrum of catering services - you just need to find the one that’s right for you (and hopefully it’s us!)

2. What style of service would we like?
   Once you’ve determined a budget, it’s much easier to decide upon a style of service. A buffet is a good choice if you have a large number of guests, as serving large weddings efficiently can be a challenge. Full service, plated meals are the most luxurious, but also the most expensive. For even less elaborate events, you could choose a luncheon style, a cocktail receptions, or a casual barbeque or garden party. There are so many options, and it’s important that you decide what is important to you! If you would rather have more guests and have sliders and ribs, then perhaps you would choose to forego the filet mignon. At Three Leaf Catering, we have experience in all styles of celebration, and over these many years we’ve learned that what’s most important is that the bride and groom enjoy the day.

3. Will there be a cocktail hour?
   Cocktail hours are often added to fill the time between the ceremony and the dinner. Do you need some of your budget to go towards appetizers during this period? Would you like them to be passed, stationed, or at a buffet? For a formal wedding, we suggest passed appetizers, but for a casual, you might just want to have a snack table or a nice platter of fruit or vegetables. We offer a wide range of options for pre-meal nibbles, and we’re sure to find one that fits both your vision and your budget.

4. Are there food restrictions?
   More and more we are getting requests for menus that can accommodate food sensitivities, allergies, and restrictions. People today are highly aware of their health and the quality of the foods they put in their body. With an award-winning vegetarian restaurant in our portfolio (Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant), we’re experienced and highly conscious of building menus that meet the needs of our bridal couples and their guests. It is helpful to have the knowledge in advance, as in many cases, we can choose selections that fit these restrictions from the start.

5. Would you like a themed menu?
   If you have something in mind, like a totally Italian menu, an Indian feast, or a Southern BBQ, letting us know in the early planning stage makes it much easier to build your menu for you. We can quickly offer you a selections of options that fit your theme, and can steer clear of the things that don’t. If there are specific things you DON’T want, let’s make sure they’re out of the mix. When menus are created using a themed framework, we can create something personalized, balanced, and delicious. If your theme is “Delicious Food”, we love to work with that as well, as it opens the door to the full range of creativity and culinary exploration.

We look forward to talking with you about your wedding catering!