How to Find the Perfect Caterer for Your Utah Wedding

It’s no secret that the Utah wedding catering industry is booming. The state experiences one of the highest rates of weddings in the United States and with the holidays right around the corner, hundreds (perhaps thousands?) of beaus will be popping that ultimate question. Whether you’ve got that rock on your finger, or hoping for one soon, choosing the perfect Utah wedding caterer will be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make through the course of your wedding planning. Here are five tips to help you make the right decision.

Ask for Recommendations
Being a Utah resident, chances are you have attended at least one (if not several) weddings in the past year. Or perhaps you have close friends and family members who have recently tied the knot. Ask around to find out which caterers they used; they are one of the best sources for reliable recommendations since they’ll be candid and truthful with you.

Ask Other Wedding Vendors
Whether your photographer or florist, ask your other wedding vendors if they have any recommendations for caterers. Most venues will likely have a list of perferred or approved caterers they work with as well. However, be aware that some wedding vendors have referral commissions, so they may be making some money of their recommendation. Be sure to ask if this is the case to ensure you’re getting a true, unbiased referra.

Scour the Web
Some of the best Utah wedding catering companies will have their own websites chock full of portfolio photos of weddings they have actually catered. Do your homework and spend some time perusing these sites; while you obviously won’t be able to taste the food, you can pinpoint the local caterers that create the ambiance and food presentation you’re seeking in your caterer.

Schedule Meetings
After you’ve compiled a list of potential caterers through your web search and recommendation inquiries, schedule a meeting with each one to see if they can meet your needs and fit within your budget. You should already have an approximate guest count and know what type of catering service you want, such as a cocktails, buffet style, a formal sit-down dinner and hors d’oeuvres.

Schedule a Tasting
Before you sign that dotted line, schedule a tasting with the few caterers who passed your initial meeting. You need to make sure the food is up to par and exactly what you want.