No one wants their guests to leave their wedding with a bad impression. When it comes to weddings, food and decorations are a major concern. It doesn't start at just the cake. And it doesn't end with the finger foods. Colors, little details and a personal touch are key to making a wedding just right.

Catering
From all accounts it's very important to hire a reputable caterer. Karol Coles, owner of Bart's Catering, said this includes looking for an established caterer: One who has a health-inspected kitchen and isn't just cooking out of their home. Doing this will ensure safe food and a caterer that can be counted on to arrive and deliver the desired food.

Most caterers will sit down and discuss what type of food would be best for a wedding. Caterers will also know how to decide how much food will be needed. Coles uses a formula to determine the number.

While discussing the food and atmosphere with the caterer, it's also important to discuss cost. "Be really clear about what you expect and what you want," Coles said. Some caterers may have hidden costs, such as paper products or delivery charges. It's also suggested to talk with them about whether or not they will provide servers for the event.

As for the food itself, that also depends on the bride- and groom-to-be. There are tastes and trends that may be in at the time, or the caterer may only offer a set menu. Other places will work with you and even use recipes that you choose.

Coles said that one fairly recent trend she's seen is people changing the traditional wedding breakfast or luncheon to an evening sometime before the wedding. Because the wedding day is so busy, this allows for a more relaxed atmosphere to spend with close family and friends.

Book in Advance
June is fast approaching, and already caterers are being booked for their services. As with all wedding providers, doing it ahead of time, or as soon as the date is picked, will relieve a lot of hassle and headache. Advanced booking also includes whoever you will use for decorating.

John Hawker, owner of Orem Floral and Northhampton House, offers a variety of styles to choose from. This includes flowers and backdrops, arches and fountains. Like a caterer, Hawker sits down with the bride and discusses what she wants. Some brides know exactly what they want while others may browse examples of what's been done before. Hawker said he wants people to do what they want, but to do it so it works.

A finality to a reception is the cake. Annie Shepherd, of Wedding Cakes by Shepherd's Cake and Candy, offers 12 different flavors and about 15 different fillings for cakes. Prices can range anywhere from $115 to $3500. But really, the sky's the limit on a cake, Shepherd said.

Shepherd also recommends going to a reputable location. Consulting with a cake maker will help a bride to find the perfect type of cake. Shepherd's offers at least 250 different designs and can work with what a bride wants.

Reprinted with permission. This article originally ran in The Daily Herald March 21, 2000.