The 12-Month Wedding Catering Timeline Every Couple Should Steal

Booking a caterer is one of the first — and most consequential — decisions in wedding planning. The best kitchens book prime Saturdays 10 to 14 months out, which is why we recommend locking your date before you've even chosen linens.

At the 9-month mark, schedule your first tasting. Come hungry, bring two opinions maximum, and taste your menu the way guests will experience it: appetizer, entrée, dessert, in that order. This is also when dietary surveys should go out with your save-the-dates.

Six months out is when service style gets finalized. Plated dinners photograph beautifully and control costs per guest; stations keep energy high and cocktail hours long. Family style splits the difference — and it's the format couples tell us made their reception feel most like a dinner party.

The final 30 days are pure logistics: confirmed headcount at day 21, final dietary map at day 14, and a venue walkthrough with your event lead at day 7. When those three milestones land on time, service on the day runs itself.

Our couples get all of this managed inside the client portal — headcount updates, invoice milestones, and a shared timeline your planner can see. No spreadsheet ping-pong, no surprises at the final invoice.