In last week's post, we provided you with ranges for catering contracts that we're seeing in the Baltimore/Harford County areas.  We listed $25-$120 per person being the average cost.  For a wedding of 130 guests, that range is from $3,250-$15,600, not including tax and gratuity.  Huge range, right?  Well, more often we see costs between $60 and $90 a person.  With that said, we often have couples on a budget who come to us and say, "I have a friend who got their caterer for $18 a person!  So, I don't understand why I'm getting quotes for $75 a person!"  And this is what we say to that couple....

"WHAT IS INCLUDED?"

For example, a bride may get a quote for $18 a person, but by the time you add the $30 per person for open bar, the $7 per person cake and $3500 room rental fee, you're not getting any more than a bride who is offered $70 a person for food, bar and rental fee included or $75 a person that includes the cake!

So, moral of the story- be sure to include the following when comparing catering proposals:

-Room/Venue Rental Fees

-Tax: both food and beverage!

-Gratuities

-Menu Choices: including quality of food, amount of courses/options, any upcharges for more than 1 option, number of hors d'oeuvres, dessert options

-Bar Options: limited or open, rail or premium

-Cake Cutting Fees

-Pouring/Corking Fees

-Travel Fees

-Service Fees: including bartenders, servers, carvers, shuckers, event managers etc.

-Cook Truck Fees

-Presentation of Food/Bar:  signature drink display, food and drink display and presentation options

-Decor:  including table linen options, charger plates, chair styles, napkins, tables, stemware, china, flatware, lighting, furniture and draping

-Type of Dinner: seated, buffet or stations?

-Level of Waitstaff:  uniform, professionalism, experience

-Bonus Options: overnight suite stay for bride/groom, valet parking, shuttle services, cake included, any music included, complimentary use of any technologies or extra spaces

-INSURANCE!!:  Be sure to inquire if you will need to purchase insurance and if your caterer has insurance.  Being liable is not worth a sub-par caterer for a cheap price.

-CONVENIENCE:  This is one that is highly undervalued.  You do not want to have to pick up your food from a local restaurant and hire wait staff.  You also may not want to have to worry about how much liquor to purchase.  Sometimes hiring someone to do it is worth your peace of mind and stress free experience.

And, most importantly, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CONTRACT! This contract is absolutely vital to the success of your wedding and is for your (and their!) protection.  Read over it carefully before you sign and make sure everything discussed is included.

1. Make an Entrance: The entrance is one of the most important elements of the wedding.  Have a team available to greet them by name, hand them a glass of champagne, and take their coat.  Roll out the red carpet treatment and offer aphoto opportunity before they enter the reception.
2. Lighting:  Lighting is single handedly the greatest way to transform a space.  Have your lighting designer wash the room in color and use additional uplights in another shade to add depth.  Use gobos (it’s kind of like a projection!) of design elements such as branches to create an enchanted forest feel or your monogram to mark the dance floor.
3. Different table shapes:  The traditional round table will no longer do.  Guests love the intimacy of long banquet tables with florals flooding down the center and the visual interest that a mix of square and round tables can bring.
4. Serve something other than champagne:  Make the Bride’s signature drink a bubbly concoction that can be used for toasting.  Call on a professional mixologist to help you come up with the perfect blend to accompany champagne.
5. Approach each room as a chapter in a story, with the reception being the finale:  Let each room surprise them.  Work with an event designer (ahem!) to help you come up with a cohesive design concept that will flow from room to room, wowing them over and over again.
6. Don’t overlook the food:  People love food.  They have an emotional connection to it.  Serve your guests warm butternut squash soup to mirror your love of fall or set up a sushi station if you love to travel.  
7. Think full transformation:  The modern wedding doesn’t stop at gorgeous centerpieces and great music.  Create a space with lighting, draping, furniture rentals, standing arrangements, a custom dance floor and specialty chairs.  
8. Ditch the linens:  No, but seriously....  choose farm tables for a rustic feel, mirrored tables for a glam feel or a glass top sitting on cylinder vases for a modern, sleek look.
9. Take decor to new heights:  Don’t forget the ceiling!  Whether you hang florals, crystal curtains, chandeliers or hundreds of votive candles, taking the decor to new heights adds a dimension that will certainly get your guests talking.  If you’re looking for a less expensive option, try colorful floor length fabric panels or satin ribbons.
10. An unforgettable exit: confetti canon.  Enough said.