Couples spend an average of $70 per person on wedding catering. That's according to results of a WeddingWire survey of over 27,000 couples married in 2019. From appetizers to entrees to dessert, the catering bill can add up fast, so make sure you get your money's worth by hiring the right wedding caterer.

"Find a caterer who specializes in weddings and events," says Meg Walker, CEO and executive chef of Made by Meg catering, reminding couples that not everyone who caters is a caterer. "Catered events require a level of production that is highly specialized."

She explains you'll need a catering professional who does events like yours often and does them well. After all, depending on the size of your guest list, they could be preparing hundreds of hot meals and could have to deal with specialty rentals, staff in a brand-new location and more.

"Long waits for dinner, trash and plates piling up and inexperienced staff are all factors that can ruin a very important day," she cautions. "Don't risk it!"

*Vibe Check

This your event, so make sure the food and drink are 100% what you want.

"Couples should think about the overall vibe for the night before they think about the caterer who can execute for them," says award-winning chef David Kirschner, who owns luxury private dining company dineDK.

Consider, for example, if that vibe is casual or formal. Do you envision dancing all night or guests being seated during some of the celebration?

"Cultivating the right buzz and knowing the ideal feel for the night can help answer a lot of questions about how the catering, menu, and overall service should go," he says. "For example, passing food around in waves in a small plates/canape format throughout the night or having stations with small bites available for guests to access would be ideal to keep people from lingering at their tables too long. If a more formal feel is desired, then a proper cocktail hour followed by a multi-course chef's tasting menu would be a better fit."

Kirschner notes that once the couple knows the reception vibe and food style they want, they should only speak with caterers who can make their vision happen. When meeting with those prospective caterers, look at sample menus and ask if you can be a wallflower at one of their events to see the service and how the catering is presented.

Request the name of the chef who will be leading your event, learn about them and ask how the menu will come together. Kirschner advises challenging the caterer to make personalized little touches for you, such as a signature drink or foods you enjoyed on a special vacation.

Most of all, don't be shy: Ask for what you want. "If you don't see the ideal dishes on their menu and they aren't willing to create something unique for you, it's time to look for a different caterer," he says.

Finally, he adds that couples have a busy wedding day and often don't eat enough or at all. That's why he suggests the caterer pack up a "proper meal" for the newlyweds to eat at the end of the night, even if it's a to-go box to bring back to the hotel.

*Catering Musts

Walker says there are a few things couples must do before booking the caterer. First, check out the caterer's website and social media to make sure their food style and presentation matches your expectations. Next, do a tasting and get a feel for the flavors as well as the professionals you'll be working with.

Before you hire a caterer, make sure you've booked your venue, since some don't allow outside catering. Plus, caterers have different staffing needs at different venues. That means you might need to budget for extra staffing, especially if the kitchen is far from where the food will be served.

Once you've done all of these things and want to book the caterer, put down a deposit to lock in your event date. "This ensures your wedding is reserved for service in their kitchen and at your event," Walker says. "Often clients assume a caterer has infinite space on the books -- not true -- so a deposit is your reservation."

The timeline to book a wedding caterer is often nine months to a year or longer before the big day. Great wedding vendors book up fast, so as soon as you know you've found the right caterer, make that deposit.