Find out more about caterers and catering in South Carolina here.

·         Tastings let you try dishes prior to the actual event, spend time with the caterer, and discuss your likes and dislikes.

·         Tastings also let you see the presentation style, and discuss the little procedural details.

·         Tastings let you offer feedback—which the caterer values!

·         Tastings also let you judge the chemistry between you and the caterer.

Find out more about caterers and catering in South Carolina here.

Is Alcohol Allowed? This is 2 questions. First, it allowed on the site where you’re having your party? Second, does your caterer have a liquor license? If not, you (or the caterer) will have to find someone licensed to do the pouring.

Bartender Ratio: Tell your caterer the number of guests attending, and the caterer will tell you how many bartenders you need, and what that will cost. Usually, it’s one bartender for about 50 guests.

Type of Service: Open bar (expensive and potentially rowdy), Cash bar (much more manageable, but sometimes less fun), or Limited bar (maybe beer and wine are free, but charge for the harder stuff.) Here’s an instance where you need to know your crowd!

The whole alcohol decision process may seem intimidating, but a good caterer will be able to help guide you through it. Bottoms Up!

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Ice: You need it for all kinds of purposes, not just in drinks. Plan on 1lb per guest.

Glass with Class: One glass does not fit all. Wine glasses, martini glasses, highballs—each has its own purpose. Also, plan to have two glasses per guest.

Wine: if it’s a wine-only party, you need a bottle for two guests per 2-hour party. Have a mix of red, white, blush, etc.

Coffee: for the end of the party pick-me-up.

Bartender: for 15 or 20 bucks an hour, it’s worth it to free you up to spend time with your guests!

For more info about catering in SC, click here.

If you’re a committed vegetarian, you might have a hard time finding anything on the buffet besides salad. Maybe string beans, if you don’t mind picking out the pieces of bacon! If you’re just a vegetarian dabbler, this the time you usually fall off the wagon.

If you’re the host, you may want to think about the special needs of your vegetarian guests.

You can serve Middle Eastern foods like:

Hummus: spread made of chick peas (garbanzo beans) with onion or garlic

Tabouleh: cold salad dish made of chopped bulgur, mint and parsley

Baba ganoush: spread made of eggplant, onions and garlic

Or, you can serve Indian foods like:

Samosas: potato stuffed pastries

Pakora: battered vegetable fritters made of cauliflower, spinach or eggplant

There are plenty of buffet items available top satisfy vegetarian tastes, without scaring away the meat eaters on your guest list!

Tip #2: Whenever possible, obtain quotes from a minimum of three catering businesses. Oftentimes, catering businesses post their menu selections and pricing on their website. Take advantage of this option to price shop and determine a fair price.

Tip #3: Choosing a catering business based on the size of their advertisement in a phone directory does not necessarily mean they are the best. Sometimes working with a small catering business will yield the best deal. Oftentimes, the “little guys” provide higher quality food and service because they are striving to expand their business.

Tip #4: Always review each catering business portfolio. If they do not have a website, schedule a time to meet with them in person. Ask to see photographs of their previous catered events. Also request they provide you with food samples. Nothing is worse than having wretched-tasting food at your event, so always obtain food samples before signing a contract.

Tip #5: Obtain referrals and follow through on making phone calls. While it may feel awkward, the majority of people will not be offended if you simply state that XYZ Catering Business provided their name as a reference. If the catering business is hesitant or refuses to provide you with referrals; run away as fast as you can.

Tip #6: Request sample menus that fit your budget. After reviewing the menus, ask how the dishes you are interested in, are prepared. Do they contain trans fats, heavy oils, or large quantities of sugar? Do they offer vegetarian dishes? Do their offer healthy food choices? Can they accommodate special needs if necessary, such as vegan or diabetic dishes?

Tip #7: Caterers generally charge a set fee per person for food. Depending on the event and food served, this fee can range from $10 to $100 or more per person. There may also be additional costs for beverages; particularly if alcohol will be served. Caterers charge a rental fee for furniture, tents, dance floor, decorations, etc. There may be charges incurred for servers, bartenders, and clean-up crew. Before signing the contract, be certain to thoroughly review it and make certain all items are included, and all details are correct.

Tip #8: Arrange a time to visit the event venue with your caterer. Make certain the caterer has sufficient space to prepare and serve the food and beverages to your guests. Meet with the caterer on the day of the event to ensure the set-up is appropriately arranged and does not interfere with dining, serving, or entertainment areas.

Find the right catering company in South Carolina. 

Many events require working with an entire theme or color scheme. A catering company or specialist is expected to know how to prepare food and to make it attractive. As such, certain catering companies have moved toward a full-service business model commonly associated with event planners. They take charge of not only food preparation but also decorations, such as table settings and lighting. The trend is towards satisfying all the clients senses with food as a focal point. With the correct atmosphere, professional event caterers with experience can make an event special and memorable. Beautifully prepared food alone can appeal to the senses of taste, smell, and sight - perhaps even touch, but the decorations and ambiance can play a significant part in a successfully catered event.

Catering is often sold on a per-person basis, meaning that there is a flat price for each additional person. However, things like lighting and fire permits are not scaled with the guest count, so per-person pricing is not always appropriate. It is necessary to keep the cost of the food and supplies below a price margin in order to make a profit on the catering. As many others in the food service industry, caterers and their staff work long hours. It is not uncommon for them to work on holidays or 7 days a week during holiday event seasons.

Find a Caterer in South Carolina 

Budget - Let your caterer know your budget up front. Don’t assume that a buffet or food stations is less expensive than a sit down dinner. Remember, it depends more on what type of food you serve that determines the price.

Food Preparation - Does the caterer use all fresh food and produce? Will any of the food for the reception be previously frozen? Most of the “top notch” caterers do not use any frozen foods or anything that comes from a can!

Taste Testing - Ask if your caterer will do a “tasting”. This is where the bride and groom can go sample and taste some of the caterer’s dishes. Yum Yum…

Leftovers - Ask what is done with the leftover food. Particularly, if you are having a buffet or food stations there can be food leftover. Some brides choose to have the leftover food given to a homeless shelter or similar charity organization.