On this week's episode of 52 Till I Do, we’re joined by a very special guest, Duce Raymond from Sweet Baby Ray’s, and True Cuisine to discuss all things wedding day catering. From your inquiry to making the most of your tasting, customizing your menu and accommodating dietary restrictions, we’re here with some insider secrets to making your wedding meal a memorable one.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering offers exactly what you'd expect- smoked meats, homemade sides, and comfort food classics. But it’s also a full-service catering company. Their team and event staff have all of their own vehicles and equipment, and are masters when it comes to catered barbeque. True Cuisine, on the other hand, leans into traditional wedding catering. They specialize in more classic service options like plated dinners and buffets, with more traditional wedding food options. The great news is, since they are the same company, you can mix and match your menu items to be exactly what you’re looking for!
When it comes to booking your caterer, the earlier the better! We recommend about 12 months in advance, because after about a year, venues and caterers alike, start to fill up very quickly! The first step in booking your caterer is having a thorough conversation with your partner to clarify exactly what you two are looking for. Do you want plated service, stations, family style or a buffet? What type of cuisine are you wanting? What is your total budget? This step is incredibly important to ensure that you, your partner, and the catering team are all on the same page.
As you are considering different catering options, be sure to ask your venue manager for recommendations or required vendors. Ask questions such as how many times this caterer has worked at the venue and how the experience has been. When hiring a caterer who is familiar with the venue, they know what to expect! The staff knows the layout, timing and flow of the space, which makes a much better experience for you and your guest. So while it isn't necessary that your caterer has worked at your venue before, it can make things so much smoother for everyone because they have that experience.
Once you’ve discussed these details and narrowed down a few options, it’s tasting time. This is where you, your partner, sometimes your VIPS or even planner (thank you for the invite) get to sample dishes and start creating your ideal menu. The tasting is a great time to try a variety of dishes, ask questions and speak about your preferences. Our best advice, don’t bring your entire family to the tasting! What Uncle Bob thinks about the food and menu doesn’t matter. This day is 100% about you and your partner, so prioritize your thoughts and opinions above all else.
During and after the tasting, you’ll work together with the catering team to begin crafting your ideal menu. This can help the caterer get you a more accurate proposal for your review.
If your venue has in-house catering, or you already have a caterer locked down, you can save your tasting until closer to your big day to craft your menu. Some venues also have set tasting dates throughout the year that you may need to be aware of.
One of the biggest misconceptions we see are couples not understanding the cost of catering. Lots of us assume that we can find quality catering for around $40 a person. But that's just not realistic! If you're looking for high quality food with great service, the actual cost is going to be closer to $80-$120 per person. A lot of couples aren't aware of this number when they begin their planning process because they tend to overlook those hidden costs like staffing, setup, and service fees.
Couples also often find themselves confused or uncertain around food and beverage minimums. This is a required minimal spend set by a venue or catering team, and it can only be met by adding on food or beverage items. Upgraded linens, decor or place settings are all additional fees outside of the food and beverage minimum, as are staffing fees, taxes, service fees etc. When in doubt, ask your team to explain it to you or reach out to your coordinator for help!
Whether it’s gluten-free, nut-free, or dairy-free, there’s almost always someone at an event with some sort of dietary restrictions. The easiest way to handle this is to be upfront with your caterer and create customized meals for just those guests. You don’t need to change the entire menu just because a couple of guests are gluten free! Just have your caterer provide separate meals for them.
If you want to include a special family recipe (like one of great-grandma's famous dishes) you can work with your caterer to have it on your menu! However, just keep in mind it might not be exactly the same. The chef may not have great-grandma’s special pot or her magic touch, but this is still an amazing way to customize your meal, and make your day even more special!
Catering plays such a big role in how your wedding day is experienced, it’s timing, flow, hospitality, and yes, really good food all working together. Our biggest takeaway from this conversation with Duce is that the best wedding meals happen when couples stay involved, ask thoughtful questions, and use tastings as a planning tool, not just a menu preview. When you’re intentional about your choices, clear about your priorities, and mindful of your guests’ needs, your catering team can truly shine.
For more tips and tricks, tune into the full episode of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Have more catering related questions? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning! Be sure to get in contact with the team at Sweet Baby Ray’s and True Cuisine too!
Photo Credit to JNA Visuals
Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.
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