Let’s face it, hosting a large event can be intimidating – especially when you think about all the logistics you have to pull off to get you to the big day. To successfully execute a large event, the venue, equipment, vendors, and food all have to be organized, prepared, and ready to go. When you work with a local Roseville or Sacramento catering company, they can manage multiple levels of service and planning throughout your large event – and make it a huge success.
Understanding Large Event Catering
Larger events are absolutely in a league of their own when it comes to planning. In general, a large event is defined as having over 150 guests. When you’re in the beginning phases of an event this big, it’s especially important to understand all of the logistics required – before you start planning!
Right off the bat, you will always need more time to plan a larger event. Since the staffing, equipment, and venue considerations will need to be suited towards a larger event space and guest list, they will usually take slightly longer to plan and coordinate.
In addition, when you have over 150 people in attendance, you will need to take extra precautions with safety and health regulations. For example, you’ll need to make sure that the venue you chose can both fit the larger guest list and contain multiple access or exit points, and let’s not forget about parking!
Estimated Timeline for Large Events & Weddings
Every large event and the timeline required for it can be different based on the host’s needs and preferences. However, we’ve included a general timeline below that can help you think through your planning process as a whole.
- 9 Months Before: Send Save the Dates
- 6-7 Months Before: Book Venue for Rehearsal Dinner & Reception
- 4 Months Before: Complete Tasting with Caterer & Create Menu
- 2 Months Before: Send Invitations
- 1 Month Before: Create Seating Chart
- 1 Week Before: Final Headcount
- Day of Event: Wrap up Loose Ends & Enjoy the Day!
This timeline can shift depending on the event center you’re working with and how many services they can take on. When you work with a company experienced in large event catering, they’ll be able to help you create an event timeline and alert you to any event-day precautions you should take.
Finding the Perfect Sacramento Wedding Caterer
One of the most important types of large events is a wedding. From the engagement party to the wedding reception (and all the celebrations in between!), there can be a lot of planning to do. When you’re looking for Sacramento wedding caterers, it’s important to find wedding caterer services that can take on all the excitement that comes with planning your big day – and all the steps that get you there!
Working with a catering service that has experience catering Sacramento weddings of all sizes can help take some of the stress off of your shoulders. At Randy Peters, we offer private tastings sessions for you and your event planners, so that you can explore diverse cuisine options for your big day, and incorporate dishes that cater to dietary restrictions and preferences, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian meals.
When you work with a company that is experienced in catering food for weddings, you can always request to compare the pricing packages they have for your event size and the services that are incorporated into the big day. Want to have a plated meal? That’s great! Is a buffet or food station set-up more your style? No problem. At Randy Peters Catering, we work with our clients to get them the best meal for their budget, no matter the service style.
Going Above and Beyond
When you’re hosting a large event, it is even more crucial to find a catering company that can offer full-service catering. This way, they can handle all of the service and vendor coordination – and you get to enjoy the event!
From incorporating full bar services that make your event shine, to setting up the decor and rentals to suit your preferred theme and personality, a full service catering company can take care of almost everything for you. In addition, they can make sure that everyone that needs to be there – from servers, bartenders, bussers, chefs, and event managers – are present and ready to make your event a success.
At Randy Peters Catering, we can do all of these tasks and more. A few of our extra services include cake cutting, dessert stations, and making sure everyone has a late-night snack at the end of the night!
Work with Randy Peters for Your Next Large Event!
As one of the pre-eminent Sacramento catering companies, Randy Peters Catering, would love to explore helping you with your next large event catering opportunity. With our decades of experience, we can work together to make your event dreams a reality.
Give us a call at (916) 726-2339 or send us a message today to explore on and off premise catering with us. Want to be our friend? Follow us @rpeterscatering on Instagram and Facebook!
