Events, Etc - Catering and Design Blog

How do you know which event catering company is right for you? By asking questions! Here are some critical ones to start off with:

1. "What credentials do you have?" How long has the event planning company served Bay Area clients? Can they show you verifiable testimonials and references? Have they established solid relationships with reputable vendors?

2. "What all do you do -- and what don't you do?" If you're hiring "just a caterer," don't be surprised if you don't get lighting, music and all the other design elements that make an event an immersive experience, as we mention in "Elements of Event Design." Also, be aware that certain necessary details may not come with the service. For instance, does your event planner handle invitations, or will you be left holding that particular bag?

3. "What can I realistically expect on my budget?" Unless money is no object, you need to ask your event planner how much bang you'll get for your buck. How stringent is the company at following the maximum numbers you set? Do you need to include some wiggle room based on your event planner's recommendations? Will your event planner fight to get you the best deals from vendors?

4. "How much involvement can I expect to have?" If you want to be involved in the planning and execution of your event, ask whether there's room for you in the mix. If you'd rather hand the entire process over the event planner, then make sure the company is ready, willing and able to handle that load.

The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to get exactly what you want. We welcome your inquiries, because we want your event to exceed all expectations. So ask our San Francisco event catering company -- we have the answers!

Charles Dickens unknowingly described a typical large-scale wedding event when he wrote: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...." Even the most joyous union can wreck its participants' nerves, turning brides into Bridezillas and parents into trauma victims. That's why, if you're planning an extravagant wedding, you should turn to an experienced Bay Area wedding catering service and event designer.

Event design also plays a huge role in most wedding events. People generally expect a wedding to carry a certain solemnity and formality, and yet within those parameters you can have a huge degree of variation. Perhaps you want a "theme" wedding to complement the couple's special interests, careers or lifestyles. Multicultural or international weddings in particular may require a delicate juggling act between two or more sets of religious, culinary or aesthetic traditions. A skilled, experienced wedding catering service such as Events Etc...'s event design services can celebrate that diversity in exciting ways through the expert selection of music, decor and other traditional details.

Of course flowers are a prominent feature of any wedding's planning and design, and our expertise in providing the perfect floral arrangements for each part of the celebration will delight guests and wedding party alike. (See examples in our online image gallery.)

A poorly prepared menu and inconsistent service can leave a bad taste in your wedding guests' mouths in more ways than one. You want that exuberant glow and feeling of good will to carry over to the reception, and our chef's thoughtful, beautiful, delicious creations will keep that sparkle in everyone's eye. Take a look at one of our sample menus and you'll see why we are such a popular option among Northern California wedding caterers.

Planning a big wedding? Contact our Bay Area wedding catering service!