Wedding Planning Wedding Catering and Menu Planning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an 'open bar' at a wedding reception?
- A bar without a physical counter, set up outdoors
- A bar where guests pay for their own drinks
- A bar where all drinks are included in the wedding's catering cost (Correct answer)
- A bar that is only open during cocktail hour
Correct answer: A bar where all drinks are included in the wedding's catering cost
An open bar means all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are paid for by the couple or their families, so guests drink at no personal cost.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a 'catering tasting' before finalizing the wedding menu?
- To allow the caterer to check for guest allergies
- To let the couple sample and approve menu options before committing to the contract (Correct answer)
- To train the catering staff on the couple's dietary preferences
- To photograph food for the wedding website
Correct answer: To let the couple sample and approve menu options before committing to the contract
A catering tasting gives the couple an opportunity to sample proposed dishes, make adjustments, and finalize the menu before signing the catering contract.
Question 3: How far in advance should couples typically book their wedding caterer?
- 1–2 weeks before the wedding
- At least 9–12 months in advance for peak wedding dates (Correct answer)
- No more than 3 months ahead to lock in current pricing
- Only after the venue contract is signed, regardless of timing
Correct answer: At least 9–12 months in advance for peak wedding dates
Popular caterers book up quickly, especially for peak wedding season weekends, so securing a caterer 9–12 months in advance is strongly recommended.
Question 4: What is a 'signature cocktail' at a wedding reception?
- A drink legally named after the couple at the state level
- A custom drink created specifically for the couple that reflects their personality or story (Correct answer)
- The most expensive cocktail on the bar menu
- A non-alcoholic drink served exclusively to the wedding party
Correct answer: A custom drink created specifically for the couple that reflects their personality or story
A signature cocktail is a custom-named drink designed for the couple's wedding, often incorporating their favorite flavors or referencing their story as a personal touch.
Question 5: What is a 'cake cutting fee' at a wedding venue?
- A tip paid to the person cutting the wedding cake
- A charge by the venue or caterer to slice and serve the wedding cake to guests (Correct answer)
- A fee for renting a cake-cutting knife and server set
- A penalty for ordering a cake taller than venue height restrictions
Correct answer: A charge by the venue or caterer to slice and serve the wedding cake to guests
Many venues charge a per-slice cake cutting fee when couples bring in an outside cake, covering the labor of slicing, plating, and serving the cake to guests.
Question 6: What is the recommended ratio of waitstaff to guests for a plated wedding dinner?
- 1 server per 5 guests
- 1 server per 10 guests
- 1 server per 25–30 guests (Correct answer)
- 1 server per 50 guests
Correct answer: 1 server per 25–30 guests
Industry standard for plated wedding service is approximately one server per 25–30 guests to ensure timely, attentive meal delivery.
Wedding Planning Wedding Catering and Menu Planning 2
What is an 'open bar' at a wedding reception?