Wedding catering checklist: what to check before signing (to avoid unpleasant surprises)
There are choices that are made at the whim. And others who trust each other.
Catering is in the second category.
Because beyond the menu, a wedding caterer carries a promise: a smooth pace, precise service, pampered guests... and a reception that takes place without tension. Most bad surprises don't come from a lack of talent. They are almost always the result of a lack of clarity. What was not framed, what was assumed, what was discovered too late.
This Wedding catering checklist is there for that. Help you to validate the essentials before making a commitment, to live your day peacefully, with a service that meets your requirements.
Before talking about prices: what DV Catereur needs to understand to frame your reception
A catering quote is not just a simple list of dishes. It is the translation of a real device: a location, a timing, a format, a team, equipment, and coordination with other service providers.
To build a coherent proposal, DV Traiteur needs a clear framework from the start.
1. The precise place of reception.
And especially its technical and logistical constraints. Access, non-existent kitchen or limited office, distances between spaces, imposed schedules, noise restrictions...
A place can be sublime and yet very demanding. It is normal. But it must be known, integrated and anticipated.
2. The number of guests (same estimate).
Distinguishing between adults and children, because it is not a simple detail. This information determines the sizing of the service, the volumes, the service and the overall experience.
3. The wedding format.
Long cocktail, seated dinner, no entrance, workshops, food stations...
These choices are not only aesthetic; they determine the pace of the evening, the organization of the service, the composition of the staff, and the equipment required.
DV Traiteur will also require detailed timing of the day and evening, even if it is a fast-paced plot. Because a menu can be excellent, but if it is not designed for the real flow of your wedding, the experience loses fluidity.
It is also important to clarify your expectations in terms of service: table service, buffet, or a mix of both. Again, this choice has a direct impact on the experience lived by your guests.
Finally, DV Traiteur needs to know the desired level of service (classic, premium, high-end), food restrictions (allergies, special diets), as well as the service providers already involved (wedding planner, DJ, venue). A successful marriage is played out in alignment. The clearer the ecosystem is, the easier the coordination will be.
You will also be asked for the budget so that we can offer you a coherent and realistic offer. The idea is not to reduce your marriage to an envelope, but to avoid building a proposal that does not correspond to your framework, your priorities or even your vision.
What can ruin a service (and create unpleasant surprises on the big day)
It is not always the kitchen that is lacking. Very often, these are the fuzzy areas... What was understood differently, what was not anticipated, or what was discovered too late.
Here are the most frequent causes of “unpleasant surprises” on the side of customers, places or service providers:
- A lack of clarity on what is actually included in the quote (furniture, glassware, staff, hours, overtime).
- Attractive menus on paper but poorly adapted to the real timing of the event or to the number of guests.
- A lack of knowledge of the constraints of the place (access, non-existent kitchen, distances, imposed schedules, noise restrictions).
- Insufficient volumes, especially on the cocktail, causing a feeling of lack for the guests.
- Poor foresight of what will happen (too long time between highlights, lack of weather plan B).
- Insufficient coordination between service providers, which can generate delays or tensions on the big day.
The good news is that all of this can be anticipated and planned, as long as you frame your reception in advance, in a precise and realistic manner.
Wedding catering checklist : what you need to validate before making a commitment
Before you commit, the objective is simple. Remove blur areas.
- The precise location is confirmed, with its technical and logistical constraints (access, kitchen/office, distances, restrictions, schedules).
- The number of guests is limited (adults and children).
- The format of the wedding is defined (long cocktail, seated dinner, workshops, food stations...).
- The detailed timing of the day and the evening is set. (even scalable).
- Your service expectations are clear (table service, buffet, mix).
- The level of service is aligned (classic, premium, high-end).
- Dietary constraints are identified (allergies, diets).
- The service providers already involved are known (wedding planner, DJ, venue).
- A weather plan B exists if part of the reception takes place outside.
- Coordination between providers is clarified (who controls the timing, who validates the adjustments).
- Tasting validates the menu and its consistency with the actual process.
- Validation milestones are set (adjustments, deadlines, documents to be provided).
- The target budget to build a coherent and realistic proposal.
Tasting, milestones, coordination, that's the DV Traiteur method to secure your reception
A tasting is not just about “tasting” a dish. It is used to confirm an intention, adjust a format and ensure that the menu is consistent with your real timing, your number of guests and the energy you want to give to your evening. Then come the milestones: what must be validated, when, and with what elements (room plan, final timing, dietary constraints, schedule). This framework avoids late adjustments, which are often a source of stress and compromise.
Finally, coordination with the venue, the DJ and/or the wedding planner often makes the difference between a simply “beautiful” reception and a truly smooth and unforgettable reception. In practice, we ensure that everyone moves forward with the same process, the same guidelines and the same priorities, so that the service remains in control even when the evening evolves.
To conclude, a exceptional reception is built in clarity
The tailor-made cannot be improvised, it must be prepared rigorously. Taking the time to decide on the place, format, timing, service and coordination is what allows you to avoid any grey areas... and enjoy your wedding to the full, with an elegant, smooth and well-organised reception.
If you want to talk to DV Traiteur, the ideal is to share from the first message: the date, the place, an estimate of the number of guests (adults/children), the format envisaged and an even approximate schedule.
This allows our team to confirm feasibility and accurately guide you to a tailor-made proposal, consistent with your reception and your level of requirement.
