When you first start out planning a wedding, nothing might seem as daunting as the task of selecting a caterer, style of service and menu. After all, you could range anywhere from “do not care, wedding food is wedding food” to “I want to pick a bespoke caterer that understands my wants and needs and will curate a delectable menu accordingly”. Either way, you’re probably going to do receive at least 1 or 2 catering proposals and will probably get to do a tasting.

While this is an incredibly fun and insightful experience, it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect, so here is how we as planners recommend our clients to prepare!

Who attends?

Most tastings include only the couple or the couple plus 2 more (typically one set of parents). Unlike your bachelor/bachelorette party, this is NOT the time to invite all of your friends. In fact, the less the better. You can become overwhelmed by everyones “helpful” opinions and easily end up with items on your menu that you aren’t even a fan of on YOUR wedding day. If both sets of parents or your bestest friend just have to attend, be prepared to pay an additional fee for each guest that attends.

What Do I Get to Try?

Depending upon the menu you have selected, you will be trying a selection of hors d’oeuvres, typically a couple more than you will serve at your cocktail hour so that you have options to pick from and narrow down. For your first and second course, some times caterers will provide you 1-2 options of each (2 salads, 2 chicken options, 2 beef, 2 fish etc. including 1 vegetarian option) this of course varies depending upon your menu. Some caterers also will provide chef-recommended vegetable and starch sides paired automatically or you will get to select which pairings you make with each protein. If you are getting desserts and/or wedding cake from your caterer, you will oftentimes try these as well!

What Will I Not Get to Try?

Typically, things like stationery cheese/charcuterie boards, veggie/fruit displays, and bread baskets are not sampled at a tasting since the understanding is that everyone knows what a carrot and a dinner roll taste like. However, most caterers do offer customization on some of these things so if you want a particular type of cheese, extra strawberries or no grapes, let your caterer know and they can usually modify your menu.

When it comes to beer, wine, and cocktails, most caterers do not offer full bars at their tasting locations. However, occasionally a caterer will offer you a seasonal cocktail or your signature cocktail to try. Some caterers also will offer white and red wine and a beer option during the coursed portion for you to try their in-house options (this is of course if you are using their bar). Not all caterers offer this however, so if it is something that is important to you, make sure you ask in advance! Coffee and tea is also not typically sampled at a tasting.

Where Does the Tasting Occur?

Typically a tasting will occur at the caterers kitchen which may not be close to you or your venue so make sure you plan accordingly! These locations are oftentimes off the beaten path, in industrial complexes or unassuming commercial spaces so make sure your ask your catering representative if there are any specific directions or things to avoid/look for on your route!

When Does the Tasting Happen?

If you are selecting from a few off-site caterers that work at your venue, the sooner the better so you can get them booked! If you are about a year out from your date, this also helps with seasonality on items like fresh or locally grown produce. Since you’ll be trying things the same time of year your wedding is occurring you’ll be trying things in season which can sometimes help with selection.

If you are working with on-site catering that your venue provides, your venue rep will usually tell you when their scheduled tastings take place, some times these are not done until 4-6 months from your wedding date.

Most caterers do not do tastings on Mondays or Fridays because of events and most tastings will not start earlier than 9am or conclude past 5pm. Make sure you schedule your tasting on a day when you have availability to be fully present, a day off is ideal but if you have to squeeze it in during a long lunch break, just make sure you have some coffee waiting for you back at work so you don’t slip into a food coma!

Why Should I Schedule a Tasting?

Obviously if you are selecting from multiple caterers, trying their food is really the only way you will be able to tell which ones food, presentation and philosophy you like the most. If your venue provides the catering, it is still beneficial for you to try the food and make selections from the different options. Not all mini sliders are made equally so it’s important to make sure you love those items.

1. Come Hungry!

This may seem like a no-brainer but I mean it! If you tasting isn’t until 2pm you might be tempted to have an early lunch but keep in mind you will probably be trying several different items. Most caterers will offer you the chance to try several options, even additional ones that you may not select on your menu, just in case you want to switch it up and pick something different. As a planner who has attended many a tasting, I also recommend wearing your stretchiest, most comfortable outfit!

2. Be Prepared to Try Many Things

Most traditional American-style catering menus will include approximately 3-5 hors d’oeuvres, bread baskets on the table and either 2-3 courses of either plated, family style, buffet or station styled food. Occasionally if you are also getting dessert and/or cake you will also have the opportunity to try these as well but you will have to make sure you ask in advance. The way that each caterer presents these items varies from each company but one thing is for sure: you’ll be trying a LOT of food. Usually your planner and caterer will take notes for you but we always recommend our clients take detailed notes on flavor preferences, heat levels, salt levels, favorites and least favorites. Your planner usually will also take photos for you to review later when it comes time to make a decision but don’t hesitate to take photos as well! Sometimes things can blur together and you may not remember the names of some of the items you have tried

3. Be Honest About your Preferences

This is one of those things that we tell clients the most often, do not afraid to be HONEST!! The point of the tasting is to ensure you love everything that is going to be served at the wedding. If something is too salty or spicy, too bulky or too light or the flavor profile just doesn’t suit you, the time to be honest is at the tasting. Trust us, the chefs do not take offense and the caterers goal is to make sure they nail it so you are excited about your menu. They can’t fix it if they don’t know so always tell your sales rep and/or planner what you like/don’t like.

4. Try To Cull Ruthlessly (and to your taste)

Just like your guest list, culling the menu down is one of the hardest parts of the tasting! More often than not, you’ll love most of the things you try and it will be hard to narrow it down. We always recommend number your hors d’oeuvre selections or starring your favorites. For example, if you sample 6-7 different hors d’oeuvres but have to select 4 total, if you star 5, you’ll only have to cut 1 more to get to the magic number.

Secondly, remember that this is your wedding!!! The thing we hear most often at tastings is “well what do other people do?” and “I love this but I’m not sure if my guests will.” The thing about *ahem* your wedding menu is that if you love something, chances are most of your wedding guests will love it for the same reasons! Don’t be afraid to be a little bold, especially when it comes to fun flavor profiles, you don’t want guests to go home afterwards saying “yeah the wedding was great except the food was kind of plain.” Sure, there are some general rules to stick to such as – try to select in-season things when possible, hot soup on a summer day might deter some guests from shaking it on the dance floor for a while and if you pick every item at spice level *muy caliente* you may find your cocktail hour becomes an episode of the show “hot ones”. However, if you love menu items, don’t be afraid of serving a fish taco and a samosa passed together at cocktail hour, guests will enjoy the variety just as much as you did at the tasting!

5. Ask Questions!

If your planner is attending your tasting with you, they will ask many questions for you but a handful that might be of interest to you:

• Will we have a dedicated butler?
• Will your or someone else be on site at our wedding?
• Is this the way the food will be prepared on our wedding day?
• Do you have any favorite menu items or items your company is known for?
• How many bartenders will we have at cocktail hour? At dinner?
• Do you offer tray-passed drinks at the start of cocktail hour to cut down on the bar line?
• Do you offer in-house rentals or work with a rental company, if so which one?
• How late can we make adjustments to the menu?

While the world of wedding catering is vast, this should get you started and help you navigate your very first official wedding catering tasting! Bon Appétit!

All photos from Lia and Kyles delectable and delicious wedding day by Krysta Norman Photo. Catering by Purple Onion Catering Co.