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1. Don't Procrastinate
Begin your caterer search at the same time you're looking at venues (about 12 months before your wedding date). The two decisions really go together since many venues have their own catering team and may require you to use them. Even if that's not the case, they may still have a "preferred list" of vendors they work with exclusively. If you are allowed to bring in an outside caterer, you may be charged a little extra, so request a tasting with the in-house chef or any potential caterers from the preferred list before booking the venue. Also, review menu options with the chef, especially if you have particular dishes in mind—some menus can be difficult to execute, based on kitchen space or equipment. If you're set on using a specific caterer, make sure they're on the venue's list or that you budget for any extra fees if they're not. Just remember: There's a reason venues like to work with certain vendors.
Photo: Megan Sorel / The Knot