13 questions you might not think to ask your wedding caterer

You'll ask about price and availability without being told to. These thirteen questions matter just as much, and couples often forget to ask them.

1. Have you worked at our venue before? Caterers usually have a harder time at unfamiliar venues than photographers or florists, because they need to assess kitchen space, power and work surfaces before the day. If they haven't worked at your venue, make sure they'll do a site visit, and ask what extra costs that might bring. If they have, even better, they'll already know the venue's quirks.

2. What's actually included in the price? Quotes vary hugely in what they cover. Check for VAT, service charge, gratuity, staff costs, cake cutting, bar staff, drinks, table linen, crockery hire, and kitchen equipment if the venue doesn't provide it. None of this needs to be included, but you need to know either way.

3. Will you set the tables? If your caterer supplies the crockery and glassware, they'll usually lay the tables too. If not, that job falls to you or whoever you delegate it to, and it takes longer than you'd think for a big guest list. We're always happy to help with this, whether or not we're supplying the tableware.

4. Where do your ingredients come from? If locally sourced, seasonal or organic produce matters to you, ask directly. Jeeves works with Grasmere Farm for our meat, and we're happy to talk through where everything else comes from.

5. How much can the menu flex? If a family recipe or a dish that means something to you matters, ask early whether that's possible. Some caterers stick rigidly to their set menu; others will happily work it in.

6. How long will service take? A good caterer can estimate timings based on your service style and guest count. If they quote three hours for dinner in a four-hour reception, that's a problem worth raising before the day, not during it.

7. Can we arrange a tasting? If you haven't eaten their food at another event, a tasting is worth having. Some caterers include it, others charge or limit how many you get, so ask what's on offer rather than assuming.

8. When will you arrive to set up? Ask for their typical arrival window. If they're not serving your drinks reception, their arrival time is based on their own service start, not yours, and that can clash with your ceremony if you're not careful.

9. Can you cater for children, vendors and specific needs? Most caterers handle this well once they know in advance. Children's meals and vendor meals are usually cheaper too, especially once you factor in drinks.

10. Can we adjust numbers after we've confirmed? Final numbers are typically due one to two weeks before the wedding. Ask what happens to changes after that cut-off, cancellations happen and you'll want to know the policy.

11. What happens to leftover food? Some caterers will box up leftovers for you, others won't. If this matters, ask early and check whether you need to supply containers.

12. How should we handle gratuities? Ask what's typical, and whether you can give one gratuity to be split across the team rather than working out who gets what.

13. What will your staff wear? Make sure it fits the tone of your day. Black tie needs black tie, and a relaxed garden wedding doesn't need white gloves.

To find out more please contact us using on the website or by emailing us at info@jeevescatering.com