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Newbie Catering Questions

VickyFlorVickyFlor member
10 Comments
in DC
Hello, Our potential venue allows us to bring in our own caterers.  This sounds good to us; I envision possibly saving some money and building a menu that reflects our preferences.  However, I don't know that much about local caterers.  *What can I expect to get quoted for a nice plated dinner for 200 guests?  Some of the other venues we visited had their own caterers and ranged in price from low $100s to $200.  We will have a sizable number of vegetarians, will that lower the price or not really?*How much flexibility would we really get in building a menu? *Any recs? Things to look out for?
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Re: Newbie Catering Questions

  • esthersandy12esthersandy12
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I dont know what your budget is but we're going with Basiknead in VA. They have been super so far and really worked with our budget for 170 ppl. So you'll have an idea, We're paying under $8000. for cocktail hour and dinner, bartendars (we're providing our own liquor..cheaper) they dont charge a corking fee. Also with all the premium lines and supplies needed. Ohh and it's buffet style but butlered cocktail hour. They were really good with out tailoring our menu too. Be wise and doo shop around. I got some crazy numbers when I first started looking. Ask the for detailed proposals because some will give you totals but it doesn't include utensils and such (which is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of - I guess we're supposed to eat with our fingers). Like I said be wise. Good luck and happy planning. oh by the way the tasting was great.
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  • VickyFlorVickyFlor member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Esthersandy12, This is great information!  We are definitely interested in the same elements: a cocktail hour, dinner and bartendars and trying to keep our budget under $100 per person.  Thanks for mentioning details to look for in proposals--I would have assumed utensils would be included!  One more question, how far in advance should one book a caterer?  We are at about 11 months out and have only started to do serious planning now. Thanks again Esther!
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  • RiverFarmBrideRiverFarmBride member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you have to provide tables,chairs,linenes,utensils those costs drive your price up. In my case, the food cost was not astronomically different between say steak and veggie. Not having heavy starters and sticking to cheese/fruit instead brought cost down a bit though.
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  • VickyFlorVickyFlor member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks RiverFarmBride!  Can I ask who you used?  I remember there was a post a while back of caterer recs, but I can't find it anymore. 
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  • esthersandy12esthersandy12
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You're welcome.  Well we're set for 9/11/2010 and we booked with Basiknead back in the end of September.
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