Food is one of the most important elements in a wedding reception, in my opinion. While your menu doesn't have to rival that of a five-star restaurant, it should still taste good and be served hot and on time. Choosing a caterer that can fit your budget as well as meet your culinary desires can be a challenging, yet fun, part of your wedding planning process. When meeting with caterers, or while interviewing venues that have an in-house chef, be sure to take notes on their answers to the questions below:

Can they accommodate special dietary needs?
These days most chefs and caterers should be able to provide a vegetarian or vegan option to guests who may require one (and it should go beyond serving only a salad), or a gluten-free meal to guests with special dietary needs.

What are their plus/plus rates and does the service charge include gratuity?
When you receive a quote for food and beverage it will normally say something like $125++ per person.  The plus/plus means plus tax, plus service charge.  So if the service charge is 22% and tax is 8%, you are adding an extra 30% to your bill that you need to budget for.  Also, some companies include the gratuity in the service charge and some don't.  If they don't, you're looking at another 20% on top of the 30% on top of the base menu price.

What resources do they need on site?
Some caterers prepare all their food offsite and just need a staging area with power sources, some arrive with a traveling kitchen, and others prefer a full kitchen to prepare all of the food on site.  Ask your caterer what they will need from the venue so that you can make sure they are accommodated.  When it comes to preparing a hot meal for 100 or more guests, it is best to have no surprises as far as sparse power outlets and other necessary food prep needs on the day of your wedding.

What is their staff to guest ratio?
This will vary based on whether you are doing food stations, a buffet, or a plated meal, but make sure that your caterer plans to provide an adequate number of servers to meet your guests needs.  One server per eight reception tables is going to ensure the food arrives cold and late and leave guests hungry and grouchy.

Do they have the appropriate food handling licenses and such for your state?
The wedding industry is largely unregulated, however the food and beverage industry is one of the exceptions.  There are specific federal and local laws set that food service providers have to follow, so make sure that your caterer has all their paperwork on file and up to date.

{Photo by Melissa Jill, wedding menu created by Michael's Catering}