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Off-Site Caterers
A listing of the finest Caterers available in the area is presented
in the table below. To learn more about each company, click on the
Company Name to see their Ad, click on their Web Site hyperlink
to access their web site, or contact them through the Email hyperlink
in the table below.
To learn more about selecting your Caterer, provider of your Wedding
Banquet, please read the article presented following the table.
All phone numbers are in the 805 area code unless
otherwise noted.
Off-Site Catering
...The Wedding Banquet
Most wedding banquets are prepared and served by a professional
caterer. Catering requires a significant amount of planning, preparation,
serving, clean up time, and food and rental costs. This is the
wedding task that, if you do it yourself, will most interfere
with your family's ability to participate in the wedding and reception.
We highly recommend that you do not try to take care of the food
preparation and service yourself. Your professional caterer can
provide you with stellar food, presentation, and service.
Before beginning to identify and interview caterers, determine
your particular food needs and priorities. Are you very concerned
with flavor-filled complicated food dishes but not so concerned
with beautiful banquet table presentation? Have you always imagined
numerous topiaries, garland, elaborately draped serving tables,
and stunning ice sculptures? Do you require plated service to
the table or would a buffet line be adequate? As you can imagine,
increasing the food quality and complexity, the decorating and
presentation, and the labor hours will result in a higher per
person cost for your reception. So if your budget is limited,
take some time to determine your particular wedding banquet priorities
and spend the bulk of your catering dollars in that area.
On-Site or Off-Site Catering
Some reception sites provide their own on-site catering for your
reception while other reception sites do have this capacity. If
your site requires that you use their on-site catering service,
many of your catering decisions have already been made. Simply select
from the on-site catering options in the price range that works
for you. These sites typically include all of the china, flatware,
glassware, service, clean up, and gratuity in their catering price.
If your reception is in a setting without its own on-site catering,
you will need to provide the food service. There are many incredible
local caterers who are highly qualified to meet your every catering
need. These caterers prepare the food in their professional kitchens,
package it for wedding service, transport it to the site, and prepare
and decorate the food service table. If a buffet dinner, they will
keep the chaffing dishes filled. Your caterer can rent all of the
required china, flatware, and glassware for you. They can also provide
staff to tend your bar and other drink service, provide cake cutting
services, and clean the site once the wedding guests have departed.
Caterer Selection
Caterers book up early so reserve your caterer in the early stages
of your wedding planning. Check our index (page 4) to identify experienced
wedding receptions caterers. Review their ads to get a feel for
the type of food and service they provide and then contact them
for a phone interview.
Discuss your catering needs, budget limitations, and menu options.
Are vegetarian or kosher entrée options needed? Many caterers
can also provide soft drink and bar service. Ask for and read references
or letters of recommendation. Then select the caterer that provides
you with the best food, service, and presentation at the price level
acceptable to you. Once selected, be sure your caterer knows your
ceremony time, the time you want food service to begin, and the
time you must vacate the reception site.
Additional Catering
In addition to the wedding banquet, you may want to contract with
a caterer for your Rehearsal Dinner (unless it is held at a restaurant).
If you plan to hold a Gift Opening Party on the day after the wedding,
you will want a caterer for this occasion too.
The Paper Work
Complete a contract with your selected caterer that includes a listing
of the foods selected, the services are included, any extras you
have ordered, and the cost for each (or a total cost). Be sure to
understand if this price includes linens, table skirts, drapes,
table decorations, dishes, flatware, and glassware. Know the number
of servers included, the number of hours of service provided, as
well as arrival and departure time.
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