Now that things are slowly coming together, it's time to start compiling the catering for your French destination wedding. Before you set your heart on macarons or any other delectable dish, you should find a caterer in France to pull off an unforgettable reception.

But what should you know about French wedding caterers to help you make the best decision? If you've gone to the trouble of organizing a destination wedding in France, you surely want your guests to have the most memorable dining experience. With this guide, you will be able to identify some of the characteristics that your caterer should have.

Essential Considerations When Choosing Your Wedding Caterer in France

• Culinary Style: When choosing the caterer, you should first discover the culinary style you want at your destination union. Therefore, discuss with your partner whether you will go for an entirely international cuisine for a broader approach. Have a traditional French menu to salute your guests with diversity and richness. Perhaps you can try a fusion of both and discover a new delicacy. You can select anything from affordable wedding food to haute cuisine.
• Tasting Sessions: Despite the impressive resume, it’s essential to ensure that the chef responsible for your event offers some specialty dishes. Also, this is a great time for you and your partner to taste the food beforehand. Moreover, it is a great chance to see the presentation, meet the catering team, and see how everything fits in.
• Dietary Requirements: Keep in mind that when choosing a reception menu, you need to accommodate the specific dietary needs of everyone who will be attending. The local caterers have to provide from allergy-sensitive menus to gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian alternatives.
• Service Style: When planning your destination wedding, you should consider the service you'll be using. This will greatly depend on your choice of venue, the wedding theme, and guest preferences. Discuss the different service options with your caterer, including a buffet, a sit-down dinner, and family-style shared plates.
• Budget: Wedding catering prices can vary widely, depending on what you wish to have on the menu for your destination wedding in France. It's wise to sit with your catering company and openly discuss your options. Local caterers offer a wide range of food depending on the number of guests and the ingredients.
• Experience and References: Since you are organizing a wedding in France, it is recommended to choose local caterers with extensive experience. If you know someone who celebrated their new beginnings in France, it's useful to ask for references from vendors, including catering. If not, then look through client reviews and check their experience.
• Vendor Coordination: Considering all vendors are connected and depend on each other, opt for those with excellent communication skills. Wedding caterers will be in touch with venue staff, especially if they are not an in-house caterer. So, when interviewing potential candidates, ensure they are comfortable coordinating with the venue staff.
• Licenses and Insurance: Food safety should be a priority for your special day destination menu. Therefore, confirm with your caterer that they have all the necessary licenses for food safety. The cuisine should be affordable wedding food but also safe-to-eat. At the same time, check their licenses for alcohol services and whether they have the appropriate insurance.

Planning Your Wedding Catering: Steps to Follow

• Start Early: It's always very important to start early on with your planning process, especially if you are planning a French destination wedding. As soon as you book your venue and know the details, it's an excellent time to start researching and contacting potential wedding caterers. As with every other vendor, the good caterer will be booked well in advance, so always start early to get the one you really want.
• Menu Customization: We all have our vision of what we want our big day to look like, so it’s the case with the menu. Discuss with your chosen caterer the possibility of customizing your menu to reflect your tastes as a couple and impress your guests. You can play around with the idea of including elements that will tell the story of your relationship. On the other hand, you can incorporate moments to point out your favorite travel memories.
• Consider Local Ingredients: It's always wise to choose vendors locally. Why? Because they know everything there is about organizing receptions in France. Additionally, France has local and seasonal ingredients, so why not take full advantage of them? French cuisine is the most famous, so you will surely impress your guests by giving them a taste of it. Moreover, using local ingredients will enhance the flavor and add a touch of French terroir to your celebration.