The Catering
Some useful tips
After choosing the venue for the reception and deciding on the set up of the room or the outside, it is time to devote much of the remaining energy to choosing the catering company to hire for the banquet.
Often, it happens that a particular catering service is suggested (and sometimes imposed) by the place chosen for the reception.
Above all, if it has been decided to celebrate and receive in a wonderful estate or mansion (such as the one portrayed in the images published in prior issues) the margins of freedom of choice are very narrow: this happens because certain high-profile, classy places are the prerogative of some well-respected catering companies that can guarantee that the place be “treated” in the right way. It is not secondary that the owners of those magnificent estates wish to preserve their place and not be forced to do any restoration work the day after a reception.
In case of freedom of choice, it is essential to contact more providers to have a wider range of options. When these caterers are contacted, ask for an approximate quote, in order to start immediately excluding the services that you think are not for you.
The following recommendations can also be applied in the case of "imposed" catering.
1. Menu proposals
Ask your providers for menu proposals with the relative prices, perhaps even mentioning your ideas and your preferences: whether to go for a rich buffet or a lunch with two first courses and a second course, etc. Once the proposals arrive, you will have to go and test the chosen menu, so as to taste all the courses and establish the exact exit sequence.
2. What does the service include?
One of the key questions to ask the catering provider before choosing it is what the service includes. Some, for example, include (unlimited) drinks, wedding cake, dishes, printed menus, centerpieces, kitchen equipment and staff as part of their service. But many only provide the menu, so you need to dig deeper right away so you don't get any surprises.
3. Ask as many questions as possible
Don't be afraid to ask questions: you will need them to avoid unpleasant additional costs. Especially when it comes to drinks and wedding cake, I suggest you ask what types of drinks are included in the menu and if these are unlimited. A good average catering service usually includes water and wines, while sparkling wines for dessert and cake remain off the menu, the costs of which vary depending on brands and type of patisserie.
4. What about the cake?
The same goes for the wedding cake. Is it included in the menu price or does it have to be paid separately? Don't leave these questions unanswered, as desserts and cake can significantly affect the final cost of the menu. Ask what type of cake is included (usually the classic one or two floors), while those with more particular or larger shapes are purchased separately.
The catering service is one of the most important elements of a wedding: it will determine its true success, so you should be careful and have as many legitimate doubts as possible.
In the case of a foreign couple who gets married in Italy, for example, I would suggest choosing local dishes for the success of the banquet which, classically, will consist of an appetizer, a first course, two second courses (one of meat, one of fish) separated by a fruit sorbet, and sweet treats to wait for the cake to be cut.
The aperitif is not considered part of the menu and is generally served before sitting down at the table.
But I will return to this subject and go into the details of the real dishes and wines in combination.
Until next Sunday