Once you’ve reserved your venue, the next step is to select a caterer for your wedding reception. A seasoned wedding catering company can handle these two critical elements as well as any other situations that may arise. Here, we’ve identified six tips for selecting the perfect caterer for your wedding reception.

1. Ask for references
Talk to you your friends and family and ask for references and listen carefully to what they say. Ask things like, Did you get everything you ordered? Did the caterer add a little something extra that made things even better? How did the room look when you first entered it? Was the food good and was there enough for everyone? As with most service-centered needs, word-of-mouth referrals are often the best ways to find resources.

2. Check the reputation
You can often find vendor reviews on wedding Websites. Been there/done that brides can be a great help for find services. However, always look at the scope of the reviews instead of focusing on one bad recommendation.

3. Review the contract carefully
Some wedding catering companies charge separate fees for activities such as cutting and serving wedding cake. Read all fine print and ask for clarification before signing the contract. This will help you avoid getting stuck with a bill later for items that weren’t clearly stated in the agreement.

4. Ask about the staff
A good caterer has an experienced well trained staff and that means they are well paid. They may cost a little more but the great service is definitely worth it.

5. Taste the food at real events, if possible
Some wedding catering companies offer tastings of one quality of food but serve a much lower quality at the event.

6. Trust your instincts
Also, make sure you feel a real connection with the staff members responsible for your event and feel comfortable asking questions.

Roberta Pearson is owner of Emerald Event Center and Create A Cake Catering.