subject: Booking your Catering [print this page] Booking your Catering Booking your Catering
Booking your Catering
Booking your catering is a very important part of your function. You may have done plenty of research on different catering companies, however until your caterer has been booked there is always a chance they may already be booked on your function date.
If you have never booked with a catering company before it can be difficult to select which business may be best for you. Every catering company is different. The services they offer, menus and pricing, and style and presentation will vary between each business. Some catering companies are large and accept multiple functions in one day, however others specialise in staying small and concentrating on one special function per day. Keep this in mind when emailing your prospective catering companies.
It is always very important when contacting catering companies to include as much information as possible, especially when using contact forms and emails. While you may only be doing an initial enquiry, it may be difficult to provide details when no details are provided on menu ideas, guest numbers or location. After speaking with different catering companies, the number of enquiries that are sent with limited information are staggering. The following is an example:
Please send information on your menus and pricing'
While many businesses do update information, it is important to view catering companies' websites for menu ideas and pricing before sending general enquiries as above. It can be very time consuming constantly emailing prospective clients that really haven't even viewed the information currently available. As a customer catering companies will respond with information they feel may be relevant for you, however they may only be guessing and the information sent may not be suited to your function at all.
Ask catering companies for total costs also, including costs per person for catering, any additional staffing costs (generally dependant on number of guests), minimum guest numbers and booking fees. While some costs are all inclusive, other will be dependent on the location and travel and setup required.
Keep in mind that if you have made enquiries, and don't follow up to book for several months that your preferred caterer may have accepted another booking and no longer be available, or that pricing may be increased during this time.
A deposit will generally secure your booking date, menu and pricing. This will allow you to budget effectively, especially with weddings that require more than one service provider.
