When Should You Order Catering In Orlando, FL?
At JJ’s Fresh, our goal is to provide customers with the best, most reliable, and most personalized catering services here in Orlando, FL. Since we first opened our doors, we have dedicated ourselves to delivering superb food and personalized attention to each one of our customers. It is our mission to help make their events both exceptional and memorable.
One question that we frequently get asked is,
How far in advance should I order catering for my event?
We thought it might be helpful to provide you with some guidelines in that regard.
We hope that our guidelines will relieve a bit of stress that you might have about your upcoming event, as you’ll be assured that we will have more than enough time to consult with you and go through the details to make your event one to remember.
Let’s look at a few examples of events you might order catering for here in Orlando, FL, and discuss when you should make your order.
Common Catering Events
Catering for Weddings
If you are planning to order catering for a large wedding and reception, we recommend giving us a call at least a few months to a year in advance.
Why?
Well, your wedding would likely be one of the most important days of your life. As Orlando’s premier fresh food catering company, we want to make sure that our services are available on your given date.
We also want to make sure that we have enough time to deliver all of the catering services that you require.
Even if you’re planning on having a smaller wedding and reception, it is still a good idea to get in touch at least six months ahead of time.
Corporate Events
One of the main things to consider when gauging how far in advance you should get in touch with us for a corporate event is the number of attendees you expect to have at the event.
If you’re ordering catering for a large event, we recommend ordering at least one to two months in advance. On the other hand, if you only need catering for something like a corporate luncheon with less than 15 attendees, we only require around a week or so to provide you with the necessary catering services.
Catering for Holidays
As you might expect, catering orders often ramp up during the holidays, especially during the big ones like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. If you’re looking for a catering company that can provide catering services during these holidays, it is recommended that you order at least one month in advance to make sure you can get everything you require.
Remember, catering companies can only handle a limited number of holiday parties, so you either have to book them far in advance or be flexible on the date.
On the other hand, if you don’t require full catering services and only want to pick the food up, a week’s notice will do.
Small Parties
If you’re ordering catering for a small party, such as a family birthday, graduation party, or baby shower, that you are planning on hosting in your own home or at a small venue, we recommend getting in contact with us at least one week in advance.
Other Things To Consider
Event Size
Catering is much more than just making food.
A catering company must come up with a menu, cook the food, serve the food, set up tableware and equipment, and take care of guests.
As a golden rule, if you’re hosting a major event with more than 100 people, most catering companies require at least six weeks of advance notice, and preferably more. If you only plan on having a smaller event with 50 people or less, a few weeks is usually enough.
We recommend getting in contact with caterers as soon as you begin planning events to make sure they have plenty of time to get you everything you need.
Type of Catering
The catering style you require is another crucial factor to consider, as it relates to the size of the space and the general room capacity.
Clients will often choose buffet-style catering for more casual events. It can be an excellent style of catering for civic and charitable organization dinners with mid-sized groups.
For birthday parties, anniversary parties, and small wedding parties, family-style service can do the trick. Of course, this depends on the number of guests you plan on having.
Lastly, there is formal table service. This style of catering is often reserved for more elegant events, such as weddings, speaker meetings, or business groups. There is a lot of customization and care that goes into the style of catering, and it often takes more time to develop a menu and design.
How Much Does Catering In Orlando, FL, Cost?
Catering costs depend on a number of factors, including the number of attendees and the size of your event. The staff here at JJ’s Fresh is committed to providing clients with high-quality menus at affordable prices. We also believe in using fresh ingredients, so you can always expect a meal that feels just as good after you’ve eaten it as while you’re eating it!
Finding the Best Caterer In Orlando, FL
Knowing when to hire a caterer is essential.
A successful event requires time and planning. We hope we were able to drive that home with this small guide. Remember, the more time that you can give a catering company, the better.
Most event planners prefer to book caterers at least six weeks in advance of events so that they are able to accommodate any changes in guest numbers or special menu requests in a timely manner.
If you want to learn more about JJ’s Fresh event catering and planning, get in touch with us here today.
