How Far in Advance Should You Hire Event Catering?
When you have a significant event such as a private gala, corporate party, or wedding, you must make many decisions before the big day. One of the most important is hiring a catering company, but should you hire them in the months-long process?
Food is one of the most important aspects of any event. First, of course, you need a reputable company with a fantastic product, but they can be hard to find, especially on short notice. So we created this guide to help you know when to hire event catering for your event.
Don’t get stuck with a last-minute choice that doesn’t provide the service and product you need.
Event Catering Depends on Event Size
Catering isn’t just about making the food. The catering service must come up with the food, make the food, serve the food, etc. In addition, the catering company needs to make sure they have the correct number of equipment such as warmers, etc.
As a rule, major events of several hundred people require at least six weeks of advance notice, but preferably more. Smaller events such as 50 or less require only a few weeks. They have plenty of time to get everything they need.
This is especially true for corporate catering that can range from a few employees to an entire company.
Holiday Catering
Holiday catering for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays is huge for catering companies. It’s a short period, and they may serve several parties in a single day, but the dates go fast.
If you want catering services for your holiday event, book it as soon as you can. It’s not unheard of for people to book months in advance. A catering company can only handle a set number of holiday parties, so either book them early or are flexible on the date.
If the date isn’t available for your Christmas party, then try moving it ahead a week.
Hiring a Caterer for a Wedding
Weddings are magical events that people remember for the rest of their lives. It’s the culmination of six months to a year of planning. Your first decisions are choosing a date, choosing a wedding venue, and choosing a reception venue.
Once you have these, your next step should be hiring the caterer. Much like holidays, certain dates are competitive. If you have a specific caterer in mind, contact them as soon as possible to book the date.
If the wedding caterer you want isn’t available, you need to change the date or find a different caterer. Wedding catering is a significant decision.
Instead of having your heart set on one place, visit several and see what they have available.
Choose the Caterer for You
Event catering takes time and planning to be successful, so it’s essential to know when to hire a caterer. This guide provides you with a rough outline of the best times, but always remember that the more time, the better.
If you want to learn more about event catering and planning, please contact our experts today.