Your Yorkshire Wedding - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 38)

Our experts solve your wedding dilemmas HOT TOPIC FOOD FOR THOUGHT What should we consider when looking at caterers? The wedding feast plays an important part in the day and you want it to be memorable. Here are our top tips for getting it right: ❤ Budget . A good caterer will work to your budget, whether modest or blowout, but you do need to know a figure before you discuss menu options. Simply divide your budget by the number of guests so you have a price per head to discuss with prospective suppliers. ❤ Format. Consider your preferred style and timetable for the day. Are you planning a seated meal or a buffet? Will you have two courses or three? Or something quirky like a hog roast? ❤ Quotes. It’s a good idea to get quotes from three different companies. Make sure you have them in writing or by email, not just over the phone. ❤ Experience. Assuming you’ve already decided where you’re tying the knot, make sure your chosen provider is familiar with it. Find out if they’ve worked there before and if they know how to get the best from the setting. ❤ Reviews. Your venue or friends may have recommendations for a caterer. You can also check online for testimonials and feedback. Consider the firm’s credentials and the experience of the chef(s). ❤ Licences and certificates. Check the company has the appropriate legal requirements such as Food Hygiene from the Food Standards Agency and a licence to sell alcohol. ❤ Staff. When comparing quotes, find out how many staff the company is planning to provide. The higher the number, the better looked after your loved ones will be. Ask how many are employees and how many are drafted in for events. Remember, a professional team that works together all the time is likely to be slicker. ❤ Sampling. Good caterers will give you the opportunity to try selected dishes to help you make your choice. ❤ Instinct. If you find a firm to be responsive, friendly, willing to help and keen to make suggestions, then it’s likely their passion and service will shine through on the day. David Swade | Blue Pepper Catering bluepeppercatering.co.uk CAUGHT ON FILM A friend has recommend that we have a videographer, but we haven’t budgeted for one. Should we cut back on other things to book one? It’s often years of hard work, stress and planning that go into make your dream wedding a reality. A video is the perfect way to memorialise every aspect of it. It allows you to remember the little things that you might otherwise forget, capture your family and friends in those heart- warming moments and record the speeches and vows that bring you to tears. It might not be as costly as you think. A free consultation to discuss your needs can cut out any unwanted details that might bump up the price. This will allow you to re-live your day as often as you’d like, but without the worry of losing out on other important aspects. Lots of my customers say they didn’t want to regret not having a video. Make sure you’re confident in your decision – whether that’s to book or not. Videography is often an afterthought that ends with the newlyweds saying, “I’m so glad we did it!”. Mathew Horne | Mathew Horne Videography hornevideography.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 95