Catering & Beverages in Rochester

One of the most expensive parts of a Rochester reception is the cost of catering. Luckily, it is one of the best and most memorable parts of a wedding too. Generally, Rochester caterers will charge by person, so the more guests you have the more you should plan on spending. There are so many different types of meals you can have- this list will help you find the best one for your style and budget.

Breakfast, Brunch, or Tea- These are usually done for a morning or afternoon reception. Often they are the least expensive choice. These meals are especially good for spring or summer-time weddings, when receptions are typically more casual. All of these can be formal (sit-down), but they are usually served buffet style.

Lunch- This is a nice median between a brunch and a dinner. Also, it is typically in the middle for price and formality. If you are having an afternoon wedding and want it to be a little more formal than a brunch, you'd be better off with a lunch meal. This meal is great all year round and its middle-of-the-road attributes make it great for any style or budget.

Cocktails or Dessert Only- These are typically the simplest meals. Cocktails is mostly just drinks, and desserts only is exactly what it sounds like. These can be less expensive than the other meals, but sometimes the costs of drinks or fancy pastries can really add up. Plus you'll want to account for everyone wanting to try a little of everything. These options are great for short receptions, or receptions that are late at night (too late for a meal).

Dinner- This meal is by far the most popular of all the meals. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive, especially if you choose a formal sit-down dinner. Generally, if you are having a dinner, it will be for a semi-formal to formal reception. Even though the dinner meal can be served buffet style, dinner has always been considered the most formal meal. If you are having an evening reception that is going to be casual, try something like cocktails or a variation of a lunch meal.

When choosing a caterer you'll want to know what they specialize in, and it would be best if you could find someone that works well with whatever meal you choose. Some caterers will not have a very extensive brunch menu, and if that's what you want, you should try to find a different caterer that can work with your wants and needs. Once you decide on the type of meal you want, you'll have to choose the specific foods you'd like. It is usually best to choose foods that you love, but you should also consider your guests (ex: vegetarians, diabetics, etc.).

If you find a good caterer, they will actually let you sample their food, which may help you decide on what you want served. After you've made all your decisions, make sure you book the caterer for your reception and sign a contract with them. Remember to read all the fine print to weed out any excessive costs they might try to push on you. A couple weeks before the wedding you should call them to confirm the reception date, time, and location, as well as the menu you chose. Then call them again a couple days before the wedding for a last minute confirmation.
 

Weddings are notorious for their toasts. In fact, many Rochester couples are now buying commemorative champagne glasses etched with hearts, their names, or other designs. There are many different ways you can serve drinks at your reception.

First, and most expensive, you can have an open bar. This means that the bar will be available to guests for the whole duration of the reception. Generally, with an open bar, guests will be able to get any drink they would like (and how ever many), so it can become quite an expense. The second idea is to have a limited bar, which is much less expensive. This can be taken in two ways, you can either have a limited amount of time for guests to get drinks, or you can have a limited variety of drinks, or both. The third option is to have a cash bar, which makes the guests pay for any drinks they get. This is not recommended no matter how tight your budget is. The last idea is to not have alcoholic beverages at all. This will really decrease your reception costs and is a great option if you/your fiancé or your families do not drink.

For all of you couples who do choose to have alcoholic beverages, you may be confused about how much you actually need to get. Below are amounts for various drinks, based on an amount of 100 guests. If you are going to be serving many different drinks, you'll want to split these amounts accordingly.

Beer: 2 cases
Whiskey: 1-2 liters
Bourbon: 1-2 liters
Gin: 2 liters
Scotch: 3 liters
Light rum: 2 liters
Vodka: 6 liters
Tequila: 1 liter
Champagne: 1 1/2 cases
Red wine: 8 bottles
White wine: 1 1/2 cases
Dry vermouth: 2 bottles
Sweet vermouth: 2 bottles

You'll want all of the guests to at least have some kind of drink for the toasts. The most popular choice is champagne, with wine close behind. Some couples will choose to have the "bubbly" effect without the alcohol and simply use sparkling cider. If you are having a daytime or casual wedding, you may choose something a little more fun like cranberry juice or lemonade. Just make sure you take into account the style of the wedding as well as your own personal tastes when choosing drinks for your reception.