cakes & catering

“The first thing that a bride should do is select her location,” says Heidi Vail, founder and CEO of Heidi’s Events & Catering in Tempe. She explained that the choice of venue determines the amount of set-up time needed and other factors that play into the cost of catering. Also, keep in mind that some venues require you to use their in-house catering staff.

Next, consider your budget.  “Ultimately, think about what it is that you want and figure out what it’s going to cost,” she explains. “If it’s $50 a person and you have $5,000, then you can invite 100 people.” She adds that if it’s more important for you to have a larger number of guests, then you may want to make your reception a bit more casual.

Also, make sure your seating arrangement fits the format of your reception, whether it’s a formal sit down dinner or cocktails with passed hors d’oeuvres and grazing stations. “If the location you choose provides seating for a meal, then you should serve a meal,” Heidi notes. “A 60″ round table that seats 8 or 10 does not say ‘cocktails and hors d’oeuvres’ to me.” For a cocktail reception, she recommends using a combination of cocktail tables and lounge seating that encourages guests to mingle. ”No more than a third of your guests should sit at tables,” she adds.

Heidi also offered some advice on table decor. “I like the combination of mixing rounds and squares. If you have more than five tables, your centerpieces should be different. Every single table could have a different centerpiece on it. Don’t think ‘sea of sameness.’ Mix it up.”

Some caterers go above and beyond the serving of food. Heidi’s banquet captains also manage the timeline of the reception and act as the liaison between all of the outside vendors. “We place the guest favors on the table, we put the gifts in your car at the end of the night. We do all of those pieces,” she explains. “We’re not just a restaurant that’s going to show up with food. We’re there from the beginning to the end.”

Remember that as a “wedding veteran,” your caterer has probably seen and done it all, so they’re in a great position to offer plenty of helpful advice. All you have to do is ask!