Before You Sign: 10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer

Why These Questions Matter

After the venue and the dress, catering is one of the largest line items in most UK wedding budgets — frequently £40 to £100 per head once everything is accounted for. Yet many couples sign contracts based on a single tasting and a beautiful brochure, only to discover later that staffing, crockery hire and travel were never included.

A good caterer will welcome scrutiny. These ten questions will help you separate the truly transparent from the merely polished.

1. Is the Tasting Session Included, and How Many Guests May Attend?

Some caterers include a complimentary tasting for two; others charge £50–£150, deductible from your final bill. Clarify whether additional family members can join and at what cost. A tasting should mirror your actual wedding menu — not a generic showcase.

2. What Is Your Staffing Ratio?

For a seated wedding breakfast, industry best practice is one waiter per 10–12 guests, plus dedicated kitchen and bar staff. Understaffed weddings mean slow courses and empty glasses. Get the number in writing.

3. Are Dietary Requirements Accommodated at No Extra Charge?

Vegan, coeliac, nut allergies, halal — a quality caterer handles all of these within the standard per-head price, not as premium add-ons. Ask how allergies are managed on the day, including separate preparation areas.

4. What Exactly Does the Per-Head Price Include?

This is the single most important question. Does the quote cover crockery, cutlery, glassware and linen? Kitchen hire? Cake cutting and serving fees? A £55 quote that excludes everything can end up costing more than an £75 all-inclusive one.

5. Do You Have Public Liability Insurance and a Food Hygiene Rating?

Any reputable caterer carries public liability insurance (typically £5 million minimum) and holds a Food Standards Agency hygiene rating of 5. Don't be shy about asking for documentation — legitimate operators expect it.

6. What Are Your Travel and Access Requirements?

Marquee weddings in the Cotswolds or a barn venue in Yorkshire may require the caterer to bring a full mobile kitchen. Ask whether kitchen hire, generator costs or travel charges apply, and whether they've worked your venue before.

7. How Do You Handle Service Timings and Supplier Meals?

Confirm how long the wedding breakfast will take (allow two to two-and-a-half hours for three courses) and whether caterers provide meals for your photographer, band or planner — usually at a reduced rate of around 50%.

8. What Is Your Cancellation and Deposit Policy?

Typical UK terms involve a booking deposit of 25–50%, with balance payments due 4–8 weeks before the wedding. Understand what happens if your numbers change: most caterers allow a final guest count reduction of around 10% up to a set deadline.

9. Can We See Recent Reviews or Speak to a Previous Couple?

A confident caterer will happily connect you with past clients or point you to verified reviews. Look specifically for comments about the wedding day itself — timing, staff professionalism and how problems were handled.

10. What Is Your Contingency Plan?

What if a member of the kitchen team falls ill? If the marquee floods? If the hog roast fails? You're not expecting perfection — you're checking that there's a plan. Experienced caterers carry spare staffing arrangements and backup menus as a matter of course.

A Final Word of Reassurance

Planning a wedding can feel like an endless series of small negotiations, and catering shouldn't be one of them. The right caterer answers these questions readily, puts everything in a clear written quote, and leaves you feeling looked after rather than processed.

Ask the questions now, and you'll spend your wedding day doing exactly what you should be doing — enjoying every course, with no surprises on the plate or the invoice.