It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t left you…without a dope blog to step to…step to…step to….step to. Ok, I may have just showed my age…please tell me you guys know that song…..crickets? Ok. Google it and get back to me.
Anywho, I haven’t talked to you guys since May 16th! Nobody called or wrote or even sent me some pigeon messengers..but I missed you wedding obsessors! I’m bizack and with a great blog topic suggested by Krystina!
Caterer or Big Momma?
What a great question to come back with…Should you hire a caterer or let “momma ‘nem” cook for your wedding? If you are not familiar with the term: Momma ‘Nem then let me first break it down for you. Momma ‘Nem includes your momma, your cousin, your auntie and anybody else in your family can be included in the ‘Nem; ‘Nem does not discriminate.
Ok, back to the real question here. Let me tell you why you need to hire a caterer. I don’t care what your budget is.
- First of all, can your family cook? I mean, throw down? I mean won’t have soggy banana pudding and their collard greens come out right 100% of the time? 100% of the time. I repeat 100% of the time. 100% of the time? I can’t stress this enough. Caterers are PROFESSIONALS! They have gone to school for culinary arts and that degree states that their dishes will turn out delicious 100% of the time!
- What happens if it doesn’t come out 100% of the time? Well, my friend…you can hold the caterer accountable for their mistakes. Meaning if they screw up, you can request some type of reimbursement or request a substitute dish. If Auntie Janie makes the driest macaroni and cheese in the world, what are you going to do to old Auntie Janie? Nothing. You’ll just have the driest macaroni known to man and you and Auntie Janie will be talked about for the rest of your life. K? Ok.
Also, I need to put this out there for the world: DO NOT…I repeat DO NOT have the hotel where your reception is held cater your wedding. “I mean the macaroni’s soggy, the peas are mushed and the chicken tastes like wood.” You do know that song, right? Again…showing my age. I digress.
Hotel food is terrible…don’t even let that option come across your mind. To avoid this disaster waiting to happen make sure you choose a venue (whether it is a hotel, reception hall, country club or whatever) that allows outside catering. This way you can bring in the caterer of your choice.
How do you choose a caterer?
- Do your homework! That means read reviews and conduct tastings. If the caterer won’t provide a tasting, you probably should not choose that caterer. Your caterer should be wiling and open to prove to you that they are the best choice.
How much does a caterer cost?
- On average you should be spending about 20% of your total wedding budget on your reception. Your reception costs typically include: Beverages/Bartenders, Cake Cutting Fee, Catering/Food/Beverages, Dance Floor, Linen, Reception Location and Rental Items. Now what you really spend on this is up to you; you can include some, all, or none of these items.
- Next, a decent cater should cost from $85 per person. So if you are looking at a 100 person wedding, your catering cost should be around $8,500.
- Now don’t cringe yet at that number. That $8,500 should include the following things for you: food and drink service and cake cutting.
Now, I know you’re saying you don’t want to spend that much on just food for your wedding. But here’s where I come in. When planning your wedding budget, you need to determine which things are most important to you, whether it is the dress, the venue, the food, etc. But that’s another blog for another day.
For now, know that your reception costs should be 20% of your budget and don’t let momma ‘nem cater your wedding. Unless of course it’s Momma ‘Nem Catering and Co. Ok?
Later, Wedding Obsessors.
