One of the largest expenses in your wedding budget is the catering of food. Be sure to choose your caterer carefully spend plenty of time talking about your budget and discussing different options. The style of your wedding can be buffet, food stations, sit down dinner or cocktail type reception. Here are some tips when hiring your caterer:

1. Be sure to ask about the dinnerware or china. Some caterers include all dinnerware so ask to see their dinnerware to be sure that the place settings will compliment your over theme. Now is the time to choose between china or plastic and paper disposables.
2. Decide if you are providing meals for your music, photographer, videographer and wedding planner. One suggestion may be for the caterer to set a side separate plates for them and serve your vendors out of site from your other wedding guests. Be sure to include them in your head count to the caterer, they may even charge you less for your vendor meals. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
3. It is likely that you may not even get a chance to eat and enjoy all the wonderful food at the reception. Ask your caterer to prepare a " food basket "for you that is a sampling of all the food at the reception.
4. Some caterers include decorations on their table displays. Be sure to ask if they include floral arrangements or decorations. You can include your florist to decorate their food tables. Be sure to coordinate both vendors to get the look you are searching for.
5. Today's wedding trends are beginning to include a menu board where the entree’s and selections are displayed elegantly on an easel or picture frame.
6. Always schedule a sampling of your caterers food selections. This is a great way to choose your selections and try their culinary skills. They may ideas of choices that you have not thought of.
7. Ask if the gratuity, setup, clean up and washing of dishes are included in the total price of your catering bill and be sure to ask if they provide you with any left overs.

A professional caterer provides you an incredible meal without the hassle of cooking, and clean up. Finding the right caterer will make your reception that much more enjoyable and a meal that everyone will remember.