So last week Ron and I met with two potential caterers for the wedding reception. We had no idea what we were getting into. Who would have thought there was so much that went into a simple, sit-down dinner for 75 people?

• Do you want buffet or plated?
• If you want plated, do you want to give your guests choices? If so, then that adds a whole new layer to the RSVP’s and seating arrangements.
• Will there be small children who will need a kids meal?
• What if we choose a kids meal and the child preferred the main dish or vice versa?
• Are there any dietary conditions to be addressed for any of the guests? Food allergies, vegetarians, diabetics, etc.
• What type of water do you want? I’m sorry? Water is water, or so we thought. Apparently there is a new fad going around about Cucumber water.
• What flavor of iced tea do you want? Mango, Green, Black, Sweet…I could go on.
• Do you want a bar? Beer and Wine or Full Liquor?
• Do you need a dance floor? Since when does food coincide with a dance floor? Is there a clean up crew that comes along to clean up from kids who just ate and then start spinning on the dance floor to the Cha-Cha Slide?
• What color linens?
• What plate style?

So you are catching my drift here, right? Ron and I were in way over our heads! We must have looked like deer caught in headlights. They were seeing dollars signs in their eyes, thinking “Boy, we got them now!”

We listened, took notes, asked lots of questions and politely told them we needed to soak it all in and weigh our options and we’d be in touch soon.

Now, the best thing about the process of choosing a caterer is the tasting parties! You can’t make an informed decision on something as important as food without sampling some of their goods. Apparently, what these companies do, is periodically throw a tasting party. They bring in tons of food for all their potential clients to sample and they also bring in other vendors to also get your business (like a mini wedding show).

So on Sunday afternoon, Ron and I attended our first tasting party. It was held at a local art museum. We walked in and it was like we entered a cocktail party. There was a DJ, buffets set up around the room and high top tables placed throughout the room. We didn’t waste any time! We jumped right in and grabbed a plate. (Did I mention that I didn’t have lunch so I would be able to eat plenty?). There were some high points and some low points. We tasted our first (and possibly last) glass of cucumber water. It was ok. We ate and ate. I mean, it’s only fair that you try everything. We didn’t want to miss out on something that could possibly make it on our menu. It was so fun, even just to look at other couples in the same predicament we are in. We met one bride in which this was her 5th tasting for the same caterer. She is getting married in May and wants to make sure she tries as many dishes in order to make the right decision. Now that is my type of girl! We left eventually, pleasantly full and happy.

There was another tasting party on Tuesday, but unfortunately work issues got in the way and we did not make it. Hopefully there will be another soon.

As you can see, these wedding plans are much more involved than we expected, but we are having a blast doing them together. I am so lucky and excited that Ron is insistent on having an active role in the planning. I hear of so many men that just prefer to let it all get done and they just show up. Maybe that works for those couples, but Ron is my partner in every way and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Anyhow, I will keep you all posted on the latest adventures as they come. In the meantime, we are contemplating going to other caterers just to see if they have tasting parties. There are always potential events we may need food for…..