There is a big difference between a feast and a celebration…I think so? But then again, both requires FOOD!Here were I’ve been so much concern in our wedding. Not that I’ll pig out in my own wedding. Weddings are not complete without these part…especially to the Filipino Culture.
I’m a Batangeño(one provincial group in the Philippines). We are known to be very easy to get with. Which makes us easy to befriend and hang with…thus it equates easy to be friend + nice company = large circle of group/friends! In Batangas, whenever a one’s going to get married be ready because you’re gonna track-down to the deepest relatives you know. Other than, your wedding is going to be swarmed and I mean SWARMED by many people. Relatives of both couples, friends, office mates and former classmates. These are just the general category. Just like Facebook, these class is going to be in a network-like frenzy, somebody’s already shaken your hand greeting you best wishes and you’ll end up asking, “Sino un?(Who’s that)” and one will answer, “Si __ bestfriend ni __ na kapitbahay ___ na malapit sa bahay namin noon sa dati work?(He’s/Shes ___, the best friend of ___, our neighbor in our old house in my former work!)” What? You can’t even imagine who or how were they connected to any of the couples.
My fiancée and I just recently finished counting our possible guests. That includes our possible entourage, close relatives and friends who we have good feeling they’ll be there. We had a small fight in counting the guests since we need to avoid gate crashers and unrelated guest. I’m not a stingy guy over my fiancée choices but we made a deal that after the wedding we need something to start over with. We need to have a good start especially with our finances.
Currently, we are now at the point of scouting for potential caterers. We do have a handful catering companies but we need to test the food first. For now, I’ll be just leaving some tips in getting caterers for your wedding:
Tips for contracting Wedding Caterers
1.) Know your budget – Be realistic, if you don’t…be prepared to cash out more! Well if you do belong to a well-off family, why not spend more than P 300,000 ($6,726.46, conversion rate of US Dollar as of April 2010).
2.) List your guest – Here, you should be able to see the potential number of people you’ll be inviting. This includes the whole entourage, family and friends. If you intend to have like an open house party…again you’ll go back to step 1 and be ready to shell out more and more …coz the for you the party won’t stop till you drop!= )
3.) Have enough buffer – When you reach the potential number of visitors, it doesn’t end there! A budget needs an allowance or else…on the day of your wedding, the wedding coordinator maybe whispering by your side or somebody saying “over the expected head count.” It’s good if you have money in your pocket but what if you don’t. Try to give some allowance in the number of person 10 to 20% of the total count could be safe.
4.) Consult others – It never harms us to ask something to those who had gotten ahead of us. The problems they have encountered, in short both good and bad sides of the story. Take down notes if you don’t have that good memory!Also ask for referrals, who knows you can even get discounts or a better treatment.
5.) Scout for caterers – It’s good to go around the metro for the best caterers in town within your budget. Try to coordinate with them if they have functions in were you could see their set-ups, facilities and service. Don’t stick to one caterer unless both of you have agreed to get them already.
6.) Maintain a good relationship with the caterer – this may sound weird. Although they are paid, it is not only nice to treat them with the rightful attitude. With it, they will serve you well and they will entertain suggestions and comments from you to serve you better during the reception. All way keep in mind, they are the one’s cooking and serving…they may get a little bit creepy with your food…if you know what I mean! = P
For now, these are the things I keep in mind before we head on to one of our potential caterers. Hope that we’ll be satisfied coz we’ll be changing the budget if we’ll be looking for new ones.
In the future, I’ll be posting a list of caterers we have seen during the Wedding Expo at the PICC last March 2010. This may add help to you!
“It is better to have a meal that is cooked filled with love, rather than serve a feast that has doubts and unsound soul.”
