Hiring a Caterer to Cook for Your Wedding?

Before you decide to have your wedding at a private venue or your home I think it is very important to understand how caterer’s charge.

Typically, private caterers break down the cost of the meal as follows: food per person, and an hourly fee for their staff inclusive of: head chef, assistant chefs, scullery, managers, waiters and bartenders.

The size of the event and the scope of the menu will usually determine how large a staff is required to service your event. In general most catering and staffing companies require a 5-hour minimum per party. In addition to the food and labor fees you can expect to see a tax and a service charge on your bill.

Generally the per person food charge will cover the cost of the food and the initial food prep at the caterer’s own kitchen. The hourly fees kick in once the caterer arrives on site at the venue where the wedding or party will take place. Typically, your caterer will base their estimate on the following: average event is 5 hours which consists of 1 hour for cocktails, and 4 hours for the reception. Additional hours may then be added for the set up/installation and clean up at your location. By and large, for a small event of 200 guests or less with a minimal amount of set up the caterer will frequently add 2 hours for installation and 1-2 hours for cleanup. These times are a guideline and may differ based on size of the wedding, the menu and the party’s overall flow of events. Furthermore, if you have a killer party that goes into overtime expect to pay additional sums of money to the staff.

Additionally, when choosing to work with a caterer at a private venue or home you should be aware that you will have to rent everything that will be used for your event to take place. It is a good idea, especially if you choose to not work with a planner, to schedule a walk-thru of the venue space with the caterer, prior to your wedding. This will allow the caterer to scope out the site and know how best to use the space. They will also be able to help you create a rental list of items that they may need to best execute the menu.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or need any help please feel free to contact me or leave comments. I look forward to helping you have a stress free event.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!