You have picked your date, and decided on the style of your wedding. Your choice of wedding style and location are the primary determining factors in establishing your price parameter and budget. Next you will need to select a caterer. Food and food service are important elements that seriously impact on the success of your wedding, and are major factors in the overall cost of your wedding. There are lots of choices to be made, and many decisions. If you approach this aspect of your wedding in an organized way, with research and preparation, breaking it down into its components, you will find that it isn't as overwhelming as it may seem.

When making the choice of a caterer, you will need to ask yourself whether the caterer's price fits your budget. In order to answer that question accurately, you will need to break-out the cost and include every item in your calculations. A good example of how specific you need to be is "cheeses." If one of your appetizer items is, for example, cheeses, be specific. The prices of "cheeses," from processed American to imported Brie, can vary greatly. So be careful to make certain that the caterer's total includes even the smallest details.

Handle the task of finding a caterer as an exciting, challenging, interview process. Remember that you never need to feel intimidated. Any caterer with a good reputation will be pleased to answer your questions. With each new interview, make certain to get the name of a contact person. Start well in advance of your wedding date, because good caterers get booked up quickly. If you find a caterer that is already committed for the date you have chosen, and you have sufficient time to do so, ask to be placed on a waiting list and called if the date becomes available. Caterers advise that it's better to pick and book your location and then to select a caterer. It is best and easiest to hire a full-service caterer who can supply food, staff and rentals. The coordination, the organization and the assurance of good results are more likely and when your caterer does it all.

Your choices for food are as varied as the tastes of different brides and grooms. You may select a traditional multi-course dinner, with or without a cocktail hour or smorgasbord before. Or, you may decide on a cocktail reception in which the guests are served a selection of hot and cold hor d'oeuvres that are passed by wait persons. This may or may not be accompanied by carving stations, pasta bars, and other buffet-service tables with appetizers. Appetizer-only food service or a wedding cake, punch, and champagne reception are two ways to trim your budget, while still allowing your guests to socialize with one another and share your celebration with you.

It almost goes without saying that you should place special emphasis on food. No caterer should ever be hired unless his or her food has been tasted and approved by you. Bear in mind that it's easy for a caterer to show you fabulous photos, and presentation is of course important, but it is after all the taste that counts!

When it comes to menu items, brides and grooms are becoming more and more involved and caterers are becoming more and more creative. You may prefer traditional fare for your wedding, or you may decide to have a theme wedding where detail is reflected in your food choices. These run the gamut from a Southern-style feast to a Medieval banquet. Brides, grooms, and their guests, are becoming increasingly health-conscious, so entrees such as pasta and vegetarian dishes are becoming more popular. What's most important is that you keep your taste in mind, and also take into consideration the varied tastes of your guests. Work with your caterer in a partnership and the results will show that effort.

The caterer should be proud to give you the names and phone numbers of satisfied customers. Take the time to make the calls. It is absolutely worth your effort. You should also do your own survey and find out about the caterer's reputation. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to check on any complaints that may have been registered against a caterer. Ask to see photographs of weddings the caterer has hosted. These will give you a better feeling for the caterer's style.

Be sure to check the insurance coverage of the caterer you intend to use and make certain that the coverage is complete. In the case of a lawsuit in New York State, the location, the caterer and the couple can all be liable for damages.

Once you have picked "the winner," get a firm price and a contract, with everything written into it. The less left to memory, the less possibility for disagreements later on. Be cautious about hidden costs. Some caterers may, for example, charge an extra dollar or two per person for coffee service, and some charge a fee for their initial consultation of anywhere between fifty and one hundred fifty dollars.

When you actually begin working with your caterer, you need to be specific in describing the vision and dream you have about your wedding. You and your caterer need to be on the same page and to ensure that, the more information you share, the more likely it is that the end result will be right on target.

When you actually begin working with your caterer, you need to be specific in describing the vision and dream you have about your wedding. You and your caterer need to be on the same page and to ensure that, the more information you share, the more likely it is that the end result will be right on target.

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