The In’s and Out’s of Catering

The In’s and Out’s of Catering

Good food and drink are obviously critical components of a successful event, and there is an incredibly wide range of options available to you.  Selecting your caterer is an endeavor that you should start right away as it can take some time.  Caterers typically will also handle the bar, since they typically have liquor licenses and this is a requirement of our liability insurance.  Catering prices will obviously vary depending on your menu selections (from taco trucks up to filet mignon).  Likewise, the bar can vary, for example it can offer wine and beer only, or include a few signature drinks like a Mojito or Cosmo, or offer a full open bar with budget liquor, or go all the way up to high-end wines, champagne and top-shelf liquor.  With catering and bar you are only limited by your imagination, and of course, your budget.  Also note that some caterers also offer dessert, and this can be a very convenient alternative to hiring a separate dessert vendor.  

At Rancho del Diablo Dormido we welcome you to bring in any outside caterer you desire; however we can also strongly recommend a few of our favorites that we have worked with over the years.  The caterers we recommend do not give us kick-backs, rather our recommendations are solely based on the fact that they have proven themselves to ‘knock it out of the park’, wedding after wedding, year after year.  They know our site, know our protocols and all make truly spectacular food.  We have several to recommend, each with different strengths and price points, so our advice is to call them all and see which one ‘clicks’ with you.  If you choose an outside caterer, make sure that they have the appropriate license and insurance for their services and staff, and be sure to let us know who they are so we can coordinate with them.

An important note that will save you some $: All caterers will need to rent certain items for their kitchen and they will charge you for these items; however, our lighting rental guy can get some of those items for less money than the caterer can get them for.  This will save you money (and every penny counts, right?).  Be sure to let your caterer know that you will rent the following items directly from Rancho del Diablo Dormido and instruct your caterer to deduct these items from their own rental order when preparing your bid:

-Trellis to separate the restrooms from the kitchen (a health code requirement)

-Power distribution box and 50 amp cable (this is required to power the kitchen appliances that the caterer will use)

-Pole lighting to illuminate the outdoor kitchen area

-Shade structure for the kitchen staff

-Heat lamps (if your wedding will be during a cold season)

-Fire pits for ambiance around the dance floor, tall rustic wood cocktail tables for people to stand beside

Contact us for more details and recommendations!

-RdDD

Wedding Tips: The Importance of a Day-Of-Coordinator

Wedding Tips: The Importance of a Day-Of-Coordinator

Perhaps the #1 item we recommend to our clients is a ‘day-of-coordinator’ (or DC).  

The DC’s job is less comprehensive (and less costly) than a full blown wedding planner, 

but when combined with the services, referrals and advice provided by Rancho del Diablo Dormido, it has been our experience that a DC is more than sufficient to execute a fabulous wedding, while providing you with significant cost savings.

A DC will meet with you in person several times before the wedding, and will communicate with you regularly via phone and email.  She will go over a checklist of items you should consider, help you  procure and manage vendors, act as a liaison between you and the site, and perform a multitude of other tasks to manage the details of your big day.  Your wedding and its planning should be fun for the bride and groom -not a complicated, stressful chore.  A good DC will take much of the weight off your shoulders, and will be there on your rehearsal and wedding day, directing traffic to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch so you can relax and enjoy your wedding.  In our opinion a good DC is a very wise investment in your sanity.  If you choose to forego a DC, at the very least you should assign the role to a close friend or family member who is good at organizing and multitasking –just be warned that they will be very busy throughout your celebration. If you need a recommendation for a top-notch DC, just let us know and we’ll put you in touch with our favorites.

-RdDD