Planning your Wedding Reception – FAQ

Weddings are a major part of what we do, so this week, we decided to feature a rather lengthy how-to wedding blog! For brides (and grooms) to be, this is a great start. The best way to make the process go along as smoothly as possible is to stay informed! Create a Pinterest, surf Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and even StumbleUpon to get great ideas and inspirations. Look for bride testimonials and check out local wedding blogs as a place to start finding your vendors.

And most importantly, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed! Take a minute to read through our interview with Director of Events, Dina Silnicky:

 

When is a good time to start planning for my wedding reception?

To make the process easier on you, it is best to start planning early.  Of course, we take inquiries from as far out as 2 years, to as close as 1 month before the big day.

 

What goes into planning my wedding? It’s all very stressful.

The first step is always finding a great venue.  There are so many different options out there, you will need to think about what you want.  Are you interested in a rustic outdoor wedding, or are you thinking more along the lines of a traditional, indoor wedding and reception?  Then, you also have to ask if the place you decide on is available when you want them! Of course, we have partner venues, where we have worked before and can highly recommend.  Feel free to take a look at our list on our Venues Page, or contact us for more detailed information.

Then, after you’ve found your venue and the perfect caterer, you must pick your food preferences,  note any allergies or dietary restrictions and determine how many guests will be attending.  After that, there are the finer details, such as color scheme, décor, bar services, and specialty items such as wedding cakes.

You will also need to think about a photographer/videographer, audio/visual services, lighting, floral arrangements, invitations, attire, tents, and transportation.

 

Wow. I can’t do all of that by myself. Can someone help me? Do you have partner vendors that come highly recommended?

It is a good idea to look into a wedding planner, to help keep you sane throughout the process.  There are many affordable, local event planners to look at, and it is definitely a worth-while investment.  Your wedding professional can help connect you with venues, caterers, florists, bands and DJs, and countless other vendors.

We are prepared to work with all personal event planners to make your day perfect, and if you are looking for a DIY wedding, our event managers can also work with you through every step, including contacting venues and connecting you with additional wedding service providers. We are here for you with over 100 shared years of experience among our specialists.

We have worked with local vendors in the area for over 25 years and we can provide great recommendations, or if you would like, we can deal with many of them directly so that you can relax and enjoy your wedding day.

 

What makes Catering by Seasons different from the competition?

In addition to offering excellent, one-on-one customer support, we offer grown to order, farm to table menus and other sustainable service options.  We can create high end formal events as well as relaxed casual affairs, and anything in between.  Our staff are focused on making your event perfect and safe for the environment, no matter your budget.

We are 100% wind powered on site at our events kitchen and we also have a quarter acre organic garden where we harvest our herbs and much of our vegetables throughout the summer months. We are dedicated to recycling and composting, and we are sure to bring those services to your event.

 

That sounds great! Tell me more about the food.  Do you have menus to help me get an idea of what I want, or can I do something completely new?

If you are looking for inspirations, you can check out our Sample Menus page, where you can browse seasonal favorites and traditional wedding menu options, or you can call us to start on a customized menu with your event manager and our Award-Winning Executive Chef, Kyle Vermeulen.

 

I have family members with dietary restrictions, what do you recommend?

There are so many allergies and dietary restrictions out there today, that it is impossible not to think about them! As a caterer, we feel it is our responsibility to provide solutions for any type of limitations. We offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free meal options, as well as meals to accommodate ethnic and religious practices.

If you have more specific concerns, or a variety of different restrictions in your close family and friends, call us to speak with a dedicated representative.  We will work out the best solution for your specific case.

 

I live with a very green lifestyle in mind. Can you cater to fit my needs with your farm to table services?

Yes, we recently launched our Seeds to Celebrations initiative, where we bring you a customized grown to order wedding reception featuring farm-fresh plates that have been organically and ethically grown by honest, local farmers.

We also offer some simpler green services, such as organic florists who are dedicated to using the best locally and ethically grown greenery, great eco-friendly venues, access to green registries, and many other sustainable options.

 

That sounds fantastic, but how does a farm to table dinner limit me in terms of my budget, my palette, and my wedding date?

Farm to table menus can be a lot more flexible than you may think, as long as you are willing to get creative. The optimal time to have a farm to table event is from July to late September, when you can harvest tomatoes, greens, fruits, and livestock from the summer growing season.  Adversely, the winter months are much harder to cater to, with low temperatures, snow and other inclement weather hindering the growth of pretty much anything on a farm, but there are still solutions for this! A wedding schedule for mid-February or March could feature a menu of local meats and cheeses, eggs, root vegetables, greens (grown outdoors through a mild winter or in a local greenhouse), fruit and vegetable preserves, and locally sourced dessert ingredients.

As far as your wedding budget, we would be happy to sit down with you and find a way to make it all work the way that you want it to.

 

What about the equipment and service staff? Do you provide high-quality services? Could I provide my own if I choose?

We are happy to provide equipment, including linens, china, glassware silverware, lighting, tables, chairs, and anything else you may need, as well as trained, reliable service staff.

If you would prefer to use your own equipment or staff, we would be happy to work with you to help manage everything.  Make sure to check with your venue to see if they offer tables, chairs, tents, a dance floor, and any other equipment you may need.

 

My friend owns a bakery, can I get my own cake or do I have to go through you?

Of course you can get your cake from another vendor! We are here to help, giving recommendations along the way, but if you have a particular service or vendor in mind, feel free to contact them directly!

 

How far are you willing to travel?

We are primarily located in the DC metropolitan area, doing regular business across Maryland, DC, and Virginia but we can make accommodations for almost any location depending on what you are looking for.

We’ve planned events as far north as Portland, Maine and as far south as Durham, North Carolina and we are prepared to go even further! If we are able to buy foods locally and prepare it on site, then there is no limit to where we will travel. To find out how exactly this factors into your budget, please contact one of our event specialists.

 

This is a great start. How do I find out more about Catering by Seasons?

Contact us any time at inquiry@cateringbyseasons.com or call us Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm at 301.477.3515.
You can also fill out the Inquiry Form on our website to give us a better understanding of your needs.

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