Question re: caterers

CTJenny

Hi all,
I'm new to the boards and recently engaged. I'm going to explore the option of renting a space and getting a caterer bc I don't want to do a traditional sitting down or buffet style dinner. I want the wedding to be more of a cocktail party. The location will most likely be between New Haven and Stamford.  I have no clue how much caterers cost and/or who is good. I've heard it can be more expensive than having a wedding at a traditional hall bc you have to bring everything in.  Just looking for some feedback from brides who are or have had their wedding and have used a caterer.  Thanks so much.

akulaji

We chose a venue where we had to bring in all our vendors and a caterer. We got married at the Lounsbury House.  Yes, we possibly could have saved money going to a one stop shop, but we wanted a different a style to our wedding.  Our caterer was Ciao! Catering out of Danbury.  They were amazing.  We also used them for our rehearsal dinner and had a cocktail style set up for that evening.  Amazing amazing amazing.  I highly recommend them.  They can definitely work within a budget that is less expensive than what we did.  They'll do anything from a cocktail reception to a full sit down dinner.  If you'd like more info on how we did everything and pricing, PM me your email address and I'll email you.

Oh, and honestly, it wasn't a big deal for us to bring everything in.  Tom Devine at Ciao! is amazing and really ran the show for us.  We didn't have to worry about a thing.

calindi

We're doing it at the Branford House in Groton, CT.  I love, love, LOVE our space!  It all depends on how you budget, but it's well within our budget and we get everything we want.

Branford House costs $4000 to rent for the whole day, tables & chairs included (though we're renting nicer chairs) and you can do a ceremony there for no additional cost if you'd like (we are). 

Our caterer is Emily's Catering, and they're one of my most favorite vendors.  Rick is amazingly organized and feels like having a wedding planner - he just takes care of every single detail.  Their quality of ingredients, creative and unique menus, service, and flexibility far outshined any other caterers we looked at.  Their price was lower, too, which was shocking to me as I expected them to be more expensive.  Per head, with linens & plates, staffing & stocking the bar (non-alcoholic - we're bringing our own liquor) & service & a very complex stations menu with an absolutely incredible array of dishes (ingredients include duck, foie gras, lobster, sea bass, filet mignon, lamb chops, etc.), it's $110/head.  We're budgeting another $10/person for beer/wine. 

That could be a lot cheaper if we were doing a cocktail style meal - they're giving us 8 passed appetizers and a huge 'Mediterranean grazing table' for our cocktail hour, so I'm sure some people won't even be hungry after that! So I'm sure you could beef up the 'cocktail hour' appetizers and have an amazing reception.

I have a long list of questions that I used for looking at venues which didn't include a caterer - things you have to consider is whether the caterer will have to bring in their own portable kitchen, rules & regulations for who you can hire (some have select vendors you have to pick from, which in my experience can be more expensive because you don't have the bargaining power - you HAVE to use one of their chosen vendors), and other considerations.  If you'd like the list of questions, just PM me your email and I'll send it over.