Here are some tips to think about if you are considering hiring an event catering service:

1. It is easier! The caterers will do all the work you just need to tell them how many guests and pick a menu. You probably want to plan on meeting with them about six times before the event to work out the kinks.

2. Hire them ahead of time. Many of the really good catering services might be booked a year in advance and certainly most of them will need a three to six month lead time in order to properly cater your event. Therefore, you'll need to start looking at catering services as soon as you know that you are going to need one. The further ahead you can book them the better your choices of caterers will be.

3. Sometimes bigger isn't better. Sometimes the biggest and most expensive event catering services aren't necessarily the best ones. A lot of the smaller ones may work harder as they are still building a reputation. Plus, sometimes the bigger ones use canned or packaged foods while the small ones will typically make everything from scratch.

- Don't like what you see on the menu? As the caterer if he can create a custom menu based on your tastes and budget.

- Keep in mind that most caterers charge per person so the cost of the meals will be directly related to how many guests he was invited to a wedding.

- Sometimes caterers charge a service charge. This largely depends on the style of serving. A buffet style might have less of the charge, but if someone is cutting the deal will be something extra. If it will be a sit down meal with waiters and waitresses that additional expense to cover their wages may be added.

- If there is a bar with alcohol and hourly fee for the bartender may be added.

- Can you believe there is a cake cutting fee? Yep this covers the expense of cutting and serving the cake.

- Typically wine or champagne is served for the toast and a lot of catering businesses will charge a pouring fee for this.