How to Choose a Wedding Caterer in Denver: 10 Questions to Ask

To choose a wedding caterer in Denver, start with your venue's catering rules, then compare caterers on the all-in price per guest, who actually cooks on the day, how they staff your service style and how they handle allergies. Ask every caterer the same questions in writing, so the quotes can be compared line by line.

This is the short list we would want a couple to bring to any Denver caterer, including us.

Start with the venue's rules

The venue decides who can cook there, so settle that before you collect quotes.

• Exclusive caterer. Some Denver venues use only their own kitchen or one contracted caterer. If so, your choice is made, and the questions below become questions for that caterer.
• Preferred list. Others keep a short list of approved caterers. Ask whether an outside caterer can be added, and what it takes.
• Outside caterers welcome. Private homes, ranches, tented backyards and many rental properties let you bring anyone who meets the venue's insurance and kitchen rules.

Ask the venue three more things: whether there is a kitchen or only a prep area, when the caterer can load in, and what time everything has to be out. Our guide to outside catering explains how those rules usually work.

Compare the all-in number, not the menu price

Two quotes that both say $120 a person can end up far apart. Many caterers add a service charge of 18 to 25%, then rentals, a cake-cutting fee, vendor meals and a plating fee. Ask every caterer for one all-in number per guest, before tax and gratuity, that includes staff, rentals, setup and cleanup.

With MileHighCook, weddings start at $100 a guest for buffet and family style, and plated dinners start at about $150, all-inclusive, with no service charge added after the proposal. Our wedding catering cost guide has the math by guest count.

10 questions to ask a Denver wedding caterer

• Is the price all-inclusive? Get the list of what is not included, in writing.
• Who cooks on the day? Ask whether a chef is on site cooking, or whether food is made earlier and reheated.
• How many staff will work my wedding? Plated service needs more servers than a buffet. Ask for the number, not "fully staffed."
• What do you need from the venue's kitchen? If there is no kitchen, ask what they bring and how much power and space it needs.
• How do you handle allergies? Ask how allergy plates are marked, who serves them and how cross-contact is avoided.
• How does the tasting work? Ask whether there is a fee, how many people can come and whether it is credited if you book.
• Who runs the bar? Ask who serves alcohol and whether they carry liquor liability insurance.
• Can you send a certificate of insurance? Most venues require one that names the venue.
• What are the deposit, payment and change terms? Ask what happens if the guest count drops or the date moves.
• Who is my contact on the day? Ask for the name of the person running the kitchen and the timeline.

If two caterers answer all ten clearly, you are comparing the right things.

Red flags

• A quote with no written menu, or a menu with no price per guest.
• A low headline price with "plus service charge" in the fine print.
• No clear answer on who cooks or how many servers will come.
• Pressure to sign before you have seen the full number.
• Allergy questions answered with "we can do a plain plate."

Things that are specific to Denver weddings

Summer weather. Afternoon storms roll in fast in June through August. If any part of the meal is outdoors, ask the caterer what happens to cocktail hour and the buffet line if it rains, and where the cooking happens under a tent.

Mountain venues. Many Denver couples marry an hour or two into the mountains. Ask how the caterer handles travel time for staff, keeping food cold on the drive, and cooking at a higher altitude, where water boils at a lower temperature and baking behaves differently.

Multi-day weddings. A welcome dinner, the wedding and a Sunday brunch are common. Ask whether the caterer can cover all three and price them together. Our note on rehearsal dinners and welcome parties covers the extra events.

Planning ahead. Summer Saturdays usually need a caterer 9 to 12 months out. Fridays, Sundays and November through April dates have more room.

Picking a service style

Buffet and family style cost the least and feel relaxed. Stations add movement and variety. Plated dinners feel the most formal and need the most staff. The right one depends on the venue, the guest count and how long you want dinner to take. Our comparison of buffet, stations and plated service goes through each.

If you are planning a Denver or Colorado mountain wedding, send us your date, guest count and venue. We will check the venue's catering rules and come back with a menu and a written, all-in price within 24 hours. More on how we cater weddings is on our Denver wedding catering page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best wedding caterer in Denver?

Start with your venue's catering rules, since many Denver venues use an exclusive or preferred list. Then ask each allowed caterer for an all-in price per guest, who cooks on the day, how many staff will work, how allergies are handled and what insurance they carry, and compare the answers in writing.

What questions should I ask a wedding caterer?

Ask whether the price is all-inclusive, who cooks on site, how many staff will work, what they need from the venue kitchen, how allergies are handled, how the tasting works, who runs the bar, whether they can provide a certificate of insurance, the deposit and change terms, and who your contact is on the day.

How much does wedding catering cost in Denver?

Full-service wedding catering with MileHighCook starts at $100 a guest for buffet and family style, and about $150 for plated dinners, all-inclusive of food, staff, setup and cleanup. Compare caterers on the all-in number, since many add an 18 to 25% service charge and rentals after the menu price.

Can I bring an outside caterer to my Denver wedding venue?

It depends on the venue. Some Denver venues use only their own caterer, some keep a preferred list, and private homes, ranches and many rentals allow any caterer who meets their insurance and kitchen rules. Ask the venue before you collect quotes.

How far in advance should I book a wedding caterer in Denver?

Book the venue first, then the caterer. Summer Saturdays usually need a caterer 9 to 12 months ahead. Fridays, Sundays and dates from November through April have more room and can often be planned a few months out.