How important are wedding catering companies?

Food can infuse life and personality into a wedding. A tasty hors d’oeuvre can spark a smile, an unexpected dish can elicit an “Oh my gosh!” and, of course, the drinks will allow the conversation to flow. Getting married in New York? You’re in luck. Zola has tons of top-notch catering companies in NYC, all pre-screened to save you time.

How can we find the right wedding caterer in NYC for us?

The hardest part about choosing your wedding catering company is having to look through all their tantalizing food pictures and resist the urge to eat your screen. Thankfully, that’s why many caterers offer free tastings before the wedding. Being able to taste the catering menu before your special event allows you to get a better idea of what will be served at your wedding. At the free tasting, you’ll be able to learn about the company’s different chicken, fish, steak, catering options.

To help you narrow down your catering options, search Zola’s community of pre-screened caterers in NYC by:

• Meal Types – There are many ways to bring the kitchen to the guests. You can serve the food buffet style, have full-service plated meals delivered to each table setting, or set up food stations through the venue. Whichever you prefer, there’s a catering service that offers it.
• Event Types – Do you need catering for just the wedding reception? Do you want drinks offered during the ceremony itself? Whatever your event, you can have it catered.
• Beverage Services Offered – Drinks can be served directly to guests through bartending services, or if it’s more your style, guests can pour their own drinks at beverage stations. If you’re serving somewhere that doesn’t have a liquor license, ensure that your wedding caterer provides one!
• Availability – Wedding catering in New York City is always in high demand. If you’re worried about finding the perfect wedding caterer only to discover they’re already booked, enter your ideal date into Zola’s free tool to see only caterers that are available for your wedding.

What else should we consider when looking for a NYC caterer?

When looking through all the diverse wedding catering NYC has to offer, remember that food and drinks are only half of the equation. Service is the other half. A few things to keep in mind:

• Packages – Oftentimes caterers will charge extra for waiting service, cleanup, and other small services. Be sure to ask them what is not included in their packages.
• Open Bar – An open bar can be exciting for guests, but it can also dramatically increase the price of the catering service. Go for this option if you believe your family and friends will enjoy it!
• Last-Minute Changes – There’s always going to be a last-minute diet change or some mistakenly filled out meal form. Talk with your caterer about what options are available for any last-minute changes so you aren’t thrown off.

How can Zola help us plan our NYC wedding?

Enjoy a stress-free search for NYC wedding caterers at Zola. We have outstanding vendors for every couple and wedding style, all pre-screened for you so you can browse with peace of mind. Plus, all vendors at Zola are proven to deliver outstanding wedding experiences and pledge to have your best interests at heart. So no matter which NYC caterer you choose, you’ll be in great hands.

Just dipping your toes in planning? We have tons of Expert Advice on all-things wedding, plus free tools that simplify every step for you. From your guest list to wedding website, registry, save the dates and invites, and more, we make it easy to plan your whole wedding at Zola.