Catering

I think this depends on how badly you want your date. If you're attached to a specific date, I'd be sure to lock a venue in now. If you're open to a general time of the year but not requiring it be a certain date, I think you'll be ok. Also keep in mind though that a lot of weddings from last year and the beginning of this year are being rescheduled to next year so that could be more people looking at the venue.

Typically, it's best to find your venue first, then move on to booking your other vendors. Is there a specific reason why you can't do this? Is the venue you're looking for requiring you to use someone from their own list of preferred vendors?

Like Sarah said, if you aren't attached to a date or time of year, then you may be able to get away with this, but weddings are back on and I wouldn't suggest you take that route. Meaning postponed weddings are now being planned, cancelled weddings are also back on, and your venue and/or date might not be available by the time you pick a caterer. Also something to keep in mind is that a lot of vendors are raising their prices due to the pandemic affecting their businesses, so it may be even harder to find a caterer that meets 100% of your needs.

How badly do you want the venue? Secure that first ASAP before you look into catering because you have more options for affordable food than finding another venue you love because you passed it up.

Does the venue have a list of caterers you have to pick from, or can you hire anyone you want?


How much is your catering budget vs the quotes you've been getting? Is there a big discrepancy such that you'd postpone the wedding? Downsize? Basically - is there a chance you'd cancel with the venue if something with the catering doesn't work out?

Secure the venue first to have a definitive date! If you book the caterer, and then try to book a venue that makes you change your date, the caterer may not be available on that new date.

Honestly this will be very difficult to do because a caterer is going to need to know the date of the event, Without securing a venue first, you can't really give the caterer a date because your venue might have x date available when you first talk to them, but that date could very easily be booked by the time you find a caterer.

Venue first, always. Some have a preferred list that you must stick to, some are flexible. Also, you want your food to match your venue. You might not want BBQ at a fancy mansion wedding. 🤷🏽‍♀️