Whether it be an intimate garden reception for 30 or a formal sit down dinner for 500, this will likely be the largest party you’ll ever host. When selecting your caterer, don’t just look at the price per head. Review the various menu selections and don’t be afraid to substitute between them. Many caterers provide menus as a guideline and will then personalize them to suit your preferences.

It helps to know what, precisely, you require from a caterer, and what the dictates of your budget are. Consider the style of reception you want - whether it's buffet, food stations, a sit-down dinner or a cocktail reception, and the types of food you'd like.

Also consider the dietary requirements of your guests. If choosing a sit down dinner, be aware of any vegetarian requirements or specific health related restrictions. With so much attention drawn these days to dietary control, the choice of a buffet allows you to satisfy almost everyone’s palate.

Schedule a food tasting, which is usually complimentary, to sample the caterer's food, and bring a few friends or family along to get other opinions. At the tasting, note not only how the food tastes, but also how it's presented. Look at photographs of the caterer's table displays, and find out if their buffets or food stations include any decorations, such as floral arrangements.

An important question to ask your caterer is if they will coordinate all of the service staff and party rentals. They may recommend a specific party rental supplier, which can eliminate the task of cleaning everything up the day after, when everyone in the family may be recuperating from the previous evening’s celebrations.