In 2020, there were 5.3 marriages per 1,000 residents in Texas. This is a slight increase in the marriage rates from the previous years, and the numbers may continue to go up as we bounce back from the pandemic. With all the lockdowns and travel restrictions in the last two years getting in the way of most wedding plans, it’s no surprise that more people are tying the knot and heavily planning for their weddings now.

Aside from invitations and guest lists, one aspect of wedding planning you shouldn’t overlook is hiring the perfect caterer for one of the most memorable days of your life. Below, we’ll go through the five things you should keep in mind during your caterer search:

This one should go without saying. Agreeing on a menu tasting before finalizing any contracts with your caterer is important, as you narrow down further food options to ensure your expectations will be met for your special night. While you want your food to look fantastic and appetizing on the night itself, you’ll want to make sure the taste meets its appearance — and a menu tasting is the only way to determine that, regardless of the catering style you ultimately go with. Here at Tim The Girl, we offer menu tastings for up to 4 guests, so you can make sure you get valuable input from family or friends as well.

Next, you’ll want to figure out what catering style you need for your wedding meal. Doing so will help you narrow down your list of caterers, as some can offer any dinner style while others are focused on specific types. Keep in mind the five dinner styles to see what fits best with your wedding and theme: plated sit-down, family-style, buffet-style, self-serve stations, and cocktail-style dinners; the reception style you choose will affect not only your menu for the night, but the cost factor of the event as well. Choosing the catering style for your special night also ties into the design and layout of your wedding venue. Not all venues can accommodate for buffet-style dinners, and other venues may be a better fit for cocktail-style dinners. Figuring out the right balance between your preferred catering style and the venue will ensure everything runs smoothly, so don’t hesitate to ask your catering candidates for their input.

A catering company is only as good as its staff. Hiring a caterer that offers the best service will make sure nothing goes south on your night. This applies for the staff behind the scenes too. In particular, the catering staff should be led by a competent operations manager, who will handle the business side of the event, such as ensuring you stay on budget. A competent operations manager will make sure your wedding night catering is a success and that no guests leave hungry or unsatisfied. On top of great service, these professionals take care of the little details too. Things that help the catering staff fit your wedding theme, such as the way they are dressed or even the number of servers at the event (based on your catering style of choice) can help transform the event into a more immersive experience for you and your guests.