What to Know Before Hiring a Restaurant to Cater Your Wedding
Phoenix Wedding Planning Series: Catering Edition
One of our favorite trends over the last few years has been couples choosing to support local restaurants instead of traditional wedding caterers.
Maybe it’s the taco shop you visit every Friday night, like The Beach House in Central Phoenix.
The Italian restaurant where you had your first date, such as L’Amore Italian.
The family-owned barbecue restaurant that reminds you of home, like Eric’s Family Barbecue.
We absolutely love the idea.
But here’s something many couples don’t realize:
Making incredible food and catering a wedding are two very different things.
Restaurants specialize in food.
Wedding caterers specialize in logistics.
Sometimes those overlap beautifully. Sometimes they don’t.
Before signing a contract with a restaurant that doesn’t regularly cater weddings, here are some questions we recommend asking:
Have You Catered Weddings Before?
Not every event is a wedding.
Corporate lunches and birthday parties look very different than serving 150 wedding guests on a carefully timed reception schedule.
Ask:
- How many weddings have you catered?
- Do you have references?
- Can I see photos?
Who Is Serving The Food?
This sounds obvious…until wedding day.
Ask:
- Will the restaurant provide servers?
- Will your guests serve themselves?
- Who keeps buffet stations stocked?
- Who clears plates?
- Who refills drinks?
Knowing who is responsible for each task eliminates surprises later.
What Equipment Is Included?
Many restaurants prepare amazing food…but don’t own catering equipment.
Ask if they provide:
- Chafing dishes
- Sterno
- Serving utensils
- Buffet tables
- Serving platters
- Disposable or china dinnerware
- Flatware
- Cups
If not, you’ll need to rent them separately.
How Will Food Stay Hot (Or Cold)?
Arizona heat is no joke.
Food safety should always be part of the conversation.
Ask:
- How is food transported?
- How is it kept warm?
- What happens if dinner runs behind schedule?
- How long can food safely remain on the buffet?
Do You Carry Insurance?
Many Phoenix venues require vendors to provide proof of insurance.
If your restaurant has never catered weddings before, confirm they meet your venue’s requirements.
Who Is My Day-Of Contact?
When dinner is fifteen minutes away…
Who do you call?
Having one designated point of contact makes the day significantly less stressful.
Cleanup Matters Too
One question couples often forget:
Who cleans everything up?
Does the restaurant remove:
- Trash?
- Leftover food?
- Serving equipment?
- Buffet tables?
Or does your venue expect someone else to handle it?
We Love Creative Catering
We’re huge supporters of local restaurants.
Some of our favorite weddings have featured tacos, barbecue, Mediterranean food, pizza, and family recipes from local restaurants.
The key is simply making sure everyone understands the logistics before wedding day.
Great food deserves a great plan.
Coming Next…
Even after you’ve chosen your caterer, there are still costs many couples don’t see coming.
In our next article, we’ll cover the hidden catering expenses that surprise couples and how to budget for them before they become unexpected additions to your invoice. Contact us today with any questions or services you may be interested in.
