Choosing Your Maryland Wedding Caterer
Choosing Your Caterer
Article By Jessica Gardner
If your in the know, choosing a great caterer can be one of the most entertaining wedding events to plan. With modern and healthy entrees that look as good as they taste, you wont have to worry about being stuck with a stuffy reception. From hip new vegetarian and international entrees to the more traditional Maryland fair, you can find the food you want with minimum effort. With this guide you’ll learn how to give your guests something that will excite all of their senses.
Surprisingly, the main job of the caterer isn’t food. Today’s clients expect a stunning visual presentation with flavorful meals and decorations that match their wedding scheme; phew, talk about multi-tasking! With the experienced touch of a professional staff, the lighting, layout, decorations and food will fit your reception needs and make a smooth and positive atmosphere that you and your guests will remember for years to come .
Before you start searching you should examine the different types of catering available and choose the one matches the theme of your wedding:
Food Preparation
Off premise- Using a vehicle to transport the food from where it was made to the reception. A reputable company with experience should be picked for this type of catering. To keep the food at the right climate they may use coolers, refrigerated trucks and or warming units.
On premise-Food that is prepared and served in the same place. This is both convenient and less stressful because you wont have to worry about spillage, food temperature or timing. The scent of cooking food also adds a certain anticipation to the atmosphere.
Serving Style:
- Buffet- Guests can serve themselves. This is best for smaller, more intimate receptions with close family and friends.
- Home Style-The food is brought to the table on platters where guests can help themselves without getting up. Great for a large, informal wedding because it saves space.
- Sit down-True restaurant style, its a traditional choice that has an elegant flair. A must for very crowded and elaborate occasions-plenty of elbow room!
- Russian service-Undeniably the most luxurious service, the waiters will hold the platters and allow you to fill up your plate, leaving the table clear of clutter. The best event for a style like this is large and upscale.
Space Requirements:
To have a stand up cocktail style occasion, 2.5 square feet per person provides ample room and also makes space for the bars and furniture.
As for sit down meals, if you have a 60”round table for ten guests you will need a 10’ square area.
Now that you have the basics it’s time to check the internet, magazines and of course, friends and family for caterers. Here are some steps:
- One of the best methods to finding your caterer can be word of mouth. By asking a friend or family member how their event was planned you can have all the details and the pro’s and con’s of a specific company. The web is also an excellent resource because it allows you to see photographs, prices, and an overview of each caterer for you to compare. After you’ve scanned the site, call them and ask any basic questions you might have (types of food, policies, services, etc.) Ask each to send you a menu and price list by mail or fax for you look over. During the call assess the personality of the caterer or receptionist that answers. They should be friendly and polite-remember, they represent the company.
- Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few, ask each if they provide taste tests for the food on the menu. Yep, you get free samples. This will ensure that it not only looks the way you want it but the taste is high quality.
- If there isn’t a gallery on the web, ask for photographs of previous weddings that they’ve done. Still not satisfied? Request to visit one of their weddings as they are setting it up and you’ll have a preview of their service. Not all caterers will allow this as it may interfere with the wedding but with the consent of the company and the bride you may have the opportunity, it’s worth a try.
- Check with the caterer to see if they have any references. Past clients will be able to let you know the reliability and quality of the company without bias.
But before you sign the dotted line, here are important things to remember:
Make sure that there is a legitimate catering license and contract and always read the fine print.
Discuss payment: when it’s due, total cost including hidden fees such as overtime, cake-cutting cost, corkage fee, taxes, gratuity, etc. What is covered? Decorations, dishes, tablecloths, cakes and the like are often included in the package- be sure you know ahead of time. Find out their policy on initial deposits, cancellation costs, and refunds.
Tradition trivia: The Wedding Breakfast
In the English tradition, the reception meal was called the “wedding breakfast” because the bride and groom would fast (not eat) until the post-wedding feast, and thus break-the-fast.
The Newest Trends:
Where’s the Cake?
Today there are growing numbers of couples who are replacing the iconic wedding cake with a decorative table of their favorite desserts for a fun spin on an old tradition. With Fondue fountains, fruit, cupcakes and more, dessert tables ensure there is something for everyone.
Bold Décor
Themes make even the most simplistic receptions exciting. With contrasting colors like pink and orange or black and white or even more conservative palettes like blue and tan, matching the décor to the food can make a strong statement and make your reception stand out.
Sample Menu’s-Get A Taste of What These Companies Are Dishing Out
For a complete list of Maryland caterers check out our Catering page
In Style Catering
http://instylecaterers.com/index.html
(301) 486-0300
Hors d’oeuvres
Butlered service-Choose 3
First Course
Martini Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp, Diced Mangoes, Jicama, Avocado
On A Bed Of Shredded Lettuce
Drizzled With Cilantro Lime Dressing
Served In Martini Glasses
Garnished With Homemade Tortilla Chips
Intermezzo
Guava Sorbet
Main Course
Seasoned & Grilled Duck Breast
Green Peppercorn Sauce
Cinnamon Spanish Potatoes
Asparagus With Maple Mustard Sauce
Dessert Course
Banana Rum Cake
And Grape Nut Ice Cream Napoleon
Drizzled With Warm Passion Fruit Sauce
Served Tableside
Blue Mountain Coffee
English And Herbal Teas
Demerara Sugar, Equal, Sweet And Low
Half And Half.
Corcoran Caterers
http://www.corcorancaterers.com/
(301) 588-9200
Seated Wedding Brunch:
Salad of Mesclun mix with avocado slices and orange slices dressed with a citrus vinaigrette with fresh blueberries
Raspberry muffins, cranberry orange scones and pumpkin pecan muffins
Wild Mushroom Roulade-Thin egg soufle stuffed with wild mushrooms
Potato Pancakes- mashed sweet potato with nutmeg and shredded white potato leeks
Baby zucchini with lemon pepper butter
Lemon poppy seed wedding cake filled with lemon and iced in butter cream
Freshly brewed coffee and English teas
Loch Lomand Bakery And Caterers
http://www.lochlomondbakeryandcaterers.com
(301) 422-6333
Dinner Buffet:
Chicken Kiev
Fresh Asparagus Rolls with Strips of Ham Served with Hollandaise Sauce
Chicken Shrimp Noodle Salad
Rice with Peas & Herbs
Croissants, Finger Rolls, Buttered & Sliced
Double-Heart Fresh Fruit Display
Complete Coffee Service