How to get the best wedding caterer in Singapore

Credit: iStock

The key to finding the best wedding caterer  in Singapore is to have an idea first of what you want for your special day. Sounds simple enough, right? It should be if you know how to get the best party planner in town.

Know what you want before meeting with the caterers

A good caterer is one that can meet, or even better, exceed your standards and expectations. So create a list of your standards and expectations, even it’s just a hastily-written list that is written on a piece of table napkin.

Before you can determine who is the right party caterer for your wedding, both of you as a couple should first discuss your food preferences and if you are planning to have a food theme or not.

This must be clear in your minds prior to setting up a meeting with your shortlisted candidates of  party caterers. What you want and how you envision your wedding reception to be like will guide you in knowing if a particular caterer has the experience and the capability to deliver the goods on your special day.

Deciding on having a particular food theme (i.e. French cuisine, Indian, Asian fusion, Chinese, Japanese, international fusion, etc.) can greatly help in planning the food menu and your overall party décor.

A short list of wedding caterers for food tasting

Wedding Banquet Menu. Photo Credit: azerato via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Ask your shortlisted candidates of food caterers to provide you with their full course menu offering of whatever food theme you’ve chosen for your wedding and then set up a schedule for food tasting.

If you’re still undecided on any particular food menu theme, try to narrow it down to two choices (i.e. Italian and Chinese) and ask your caterer to offer you options for both themes. Or ask your caterer if they can plan for both.

At this point, you’d likely determine if the caterer has not only the experience and expertise to handle your requests, but also if it has the flexibility to meet your needs as a customer.

Be open-minded to other options

Food tasting. Photo Credit: jdtornow via Flickr (Creative Commons)

While it is important that you know what kind of food menu you want on your wedding day, try to be open-minded also in whatever recommendations and suggestions your caterer may have. They are the experts, after all.

Another way to plan your wedding menu it is to put down on a list your so-called Must-Have in the Menu. This list contains your favourite or requested dishes that you want. And from there, ask your caterer for suggestions on how they can develop or integrate it into a full course menu.

Ask foroptions within your budget range

It would be quite impossible to operate within a set budget cost you have in mind if you’re unsure of the total number of guests you are inviting.  Once you have the total headcount, your caterer must come up with a good estimate of the amount of food and beverages that you need.

Keep in mind that the food catering service takes a huge chunk of your budget. But a good wedding caterer should be able to offer you various food menu package suggestions and options on appetizers, entrees, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages that are within your budget range.

It doesn’t hurt to let your short list of candidates know that you are scouting or are also considering other wedding caterers in Singapore. It is also one way to get competitive price quotes.

Get the right party / table décor

   
Photo Credit: iStock

After you’ve selected your food theme, ask your prospective wedding caterers to set up a mock table setting during your scheduled your food tasting meeting. The venue decorations and table décor, including the linens, centrepieces, chair dressing, and etc., must go well with your overall wedding theme.

In the end, bear in mind that selecting the best caterer for your wedding is also knowing what you want: from the wedding theme, number of guests, to budget allocations.

Looking for wedding caterers? Check our list of caterers in Singapore only on Business Directory!