Rochester Brides & Grooms Issue 52 November 2017 - May 2018 | Page 33

C atering A caterer should be booked at least six to nine months prior to your wedding day. Before you meet with a caterer understand your budget, the formality and style of your ideal wedding, the number of guests, the date and time of your wedding, and where you would ph o to like to have your reception. It is a good idea to ask by: close friends and family for recommendations, or consult J M SW e dd i n g s .c o m the catering specialists in this publication. You will want to find someone that you feel comfortable with handling your event, can easily adopt to the style of your reception, offers good suggestions, is flexible, and has the experience working with tent rental agencies, florists, musicians, etc. Before making your final decision you should have talked to more than one caterer. Ask to sample the menu options you are interested in. Ask for references and pictures of previous events. You may also want to arrange to visit another catered event to see how it is organized, to get some ideas, to see how the food is displayed and how much food is available. Once you have chosen your caterer bring them to the reception site to inspect the kitchen facilities and to help you design a layout that will be comfortable for your guests (tables, chairs, bar, buffet, gifts table). Also, inform your caterer of the events that will take place throughout the day or evening so they will be able to plan accordingly. A professional caterer can make your reception a real success and fill your day with pleasant and lasting memories. November - May 2018 • RochesterBride.com 33