But not all catering conversations start with the right questions. It’s easy to get caught up in menu excitement before you’ve covered the logistics that actually determine whether your event runs smoothly. Here are the questions to ask your caterer before you sign anything.

About the Menu

Can we customize the menu, or are we choosing from a fixed selection? 

This tells you a lot about how a catering company works. At Catering St. Louis Events, our packages are designed to offer exceptional variety with built-in efficiency — which means real value for your budget. But we’re also experts at customization. Whether you want to recreate your grandmother’s family recipe or build an entirely new concept from scratch, like a French countryside menu, our culinary team knows how to make it happen. Your menu is built for you, not the other way around.

How do you handle dietary restrictions and food allergies? 

We’re happy to work with clients to accommodate food allergies and special dietary needs, and we take care to ensure those guests never feel singled out. We regularly prepare gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options. If you or any of your guests have specific needs, just let us know during the planning process and we’ll make sure they’re taken care of.

Can we do a tasting before we finalize the menu? 

For wedding receptions, we include a tasting as part of the planning process. This gives couples the opportunity to experience the food and presentation firsthand before the big day, so there are no surprises and no second-guessing. Tastings are specific to wedding bookings and are a great opportunity to fine-tune your menu selections together with our team.

How far in advance does the menu need to be finalized? 

Your menu can be refined and adjusted at any point during the pre-planning process — we’re flexible and want you to feel confident in your selections. Final guest counts are required 10 business days before the event. After that point, changes can still be made, but a fee applies to late adjustments. This helps us ensure we have everything in place to deliver the event you envisioned.

About Service

What service styles do you offer, and what do you recommend for our event? 

Seated dinners, buffet, family-style, buffet cocktail dinner, passed appetizers — each creates a different experience for your guests and requires different staffing and timing. A good caterer will have a genuine recommendation based on your guest count, venue layout and the tone of your event, not just whatever is easiest for them to execute.

What can you tell me about your service team?
This is a great question to ask any caterer, and one we’re proud to answer. At Catering St. Louis Events, our service staff brings 46 years of collective experience delivering exceptional hospitality across every type of event. Every team member goes through extensive training before stepping foot at one of our events — because we believe the service experience is just as important as the food. When you book with us, you’re not just getting a culinary team. You’re getting a full service staff that knows how to take care of your guests.

How do you handle the timing of food service during the event?
For weddings especially, this matters enormously. The flow between cocktail hour, dinner service and any late-night food offerings needs to be coordinated with your DJ, photographer and other vendors. Ask how the catering team communicates and coordinates with the rest of your vendor team on the day of the event.

What happens if something goes wrong on the day of the event?
This is a question most people don’t think to ask their caterer before they book, but it’s one of the most important. Every experienced catering team has protocols for handling the unexpected — a late delivery, a last-minute guest count change, a kitchen equipment issue. How they answer this question tells you a lot about how experienced and prepared they are.

About the Venue Relationship

Are you the exclusive caterer for this venue, or can I bring in an outside caterer?
If you’re considering a venue where Catering St. Louis Events is the exclusive caterer, you’re working with a team that knows the space inside and out. That familiarity with the kitchen, the layout, the flow of service and the quirks of the space is a real advantage on your event day.

Have you worked at this venue before?
At Catering St. Louis Events, we work exclusively within our own event spaces and the venues where we hold exclusive contracts. That means when you book with us, you’re working with a team that has deep, long-standing experience with every space we operate in — the kitchen layout, the flow of service, the logistics of load-in and breakdown. We’re not on every preferred vendor list in the city because we’ve chosen to be true experts in the venues we know best. That focus is a real advantage for your event.

What is included in the venue rental versus what comes from the catering package?
Our packages are designed to include everything you need for your event — tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware, bar glasses, setup and breakdown are all part of what we bring to the table (literally). That means no scrambling to figure out who’s responsible for what, and no surprise gaps on event day. And when you want to add something special, our packages can be built upon to make your event exactly what you have in mind.

About the Details

How do you handle bar service?
Ask specifically about who provides the bar staff, how they manage responsible service, what the options are for signature cocktails or specialty beverages, and whether they work with your timeline for last call and service end time.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Nobody plans for this, but it’s worth understanding before you sign. Ask about what happens in the event of extreme weather, a venue closure or a family emergency, and what flexibility exists in the contract.

Who will be our primary point of contact, and will they be on-site the day of the event?
This is a practical but important question. Knowing exactly who is managing your event — and that they’ll be present — gives you peace of mind and a clear line of communication if anything needs to be adjusted in real time.

One Final Thought

The best catering conversations feel less like an interview and more like a collaboration. When you ask these questions, pay attention to how they’re answered — with confidence, with specificity, with genuine interest in your event. That’s the sign of a team that will show up for you when it matters most.

At Catering St. Louis Events, we welcome every one of these questions. Our Event Coordinators put their whole heart into every celebration, and we believe the planning process should feel as good as the event itself.

Ready to start the conversation? Reach out to our team — we’d love to hear about your event.

Reach Out to Catering St. Louis Events

Your event is just that: your event. It can be anything you come up with that everyone will enjoy. Make it fun, make it yours — and make sure to contact Catering St. Louis Events for all of your event needs.

The post Questions to Ask Your Caterer Before You Book appeared first on Catering St. Louis Events.

The good news: if you’re thinking about your fall fundraiser now, in the spring, you’re exactly where you should be.

Here’s a practical guide to help you start making decisions, and progress, right now.

Start With the Experience You Want to Create

Before you lock in a venue or finalize a guest list, it’s worth stepping back and asking a simple question: what do you want your guests to feel when they leave?

The most successful fundraisers are well-organized and, possibly more importantly, well-designed. Guests who feel genuinely welcomed, well-fed and connected to your mission are far more likely to give generously and come back next year. That guest experience starts with the decisions you make right now, months before the event.

Think about the tone you want to set. A formal seated gala communicates prestige and signals that your organization takes its work seriously and honors its donors accordingly. A cocktail-style reception with food stations is more social and relaxed, encouraging guests to move around, connect with one another and engage with your organization in a more informal setting. Neither is better than the other, but the choice shapes everything that follows: venue, menu, flow, staffing and the overall feel of the night.

Choose a Format That Serves Your Goals

Your event format should match both your fundraising goals and your donor base. A few things worth thinking through:

Seated dinner or gala format works well when your organization wants to create a sense of occasion, honor specific donors or award recipients, or build a program around a keynote speaker or live auction. Guests are settled in one place, which makes it easier to direct their attention and guide them through the evening’s program.

Cocktail-style reception creates more energy and movement. Food stations and passed appetizers keep guests engaged and make it easier for your team and board members to circulate and have meaningful conversations with donors. This format can also accommodate a wider range of guest counts more flexibly than a plated dinner.

Hybrid format — a cocktail reception followed by a seated program or dinner has become more common and gives you the best of both. Guests mingle and arrive at their own pace, then the evening transitions into something more focused when it’s time for your program, remarks or live auction.

Think Carefully About the Menu

At a fundraiser, the food and beverage experience communicates the quality and care your organization brings to everything it does. A thoughtfully executed menu, presented with genuine hospitality, tells donors that their support is being stewarded well.

Seasonal menus have a natural advantage at fall and winter fundraisers. Rich, warming flavors like roasted vegetables, braised proteins, and hearty grains feel appropriate to the season and tend to land well with a broad range of guests. A well-curated bar program, with a signature cocktail tied to your organization or cause, adds a personal touch that guests notice and remember.

Dietary considerations also matter, and working with a catering team that can thoughtfully accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-aware guests — without making those guests feel like an afterthought — is a sign of a well-run event. At Catering St. Louis Events, our chefs build customized menus for each event and are experienced in designing menus that work for diverse groups without sacrificing quality or cohesion.

Choose a Venue That Does the Work for You

Your venue sets the tone before a single guest is served. For fall and winter fundraisers in St. Louis, a few of our venues are particularly well-suited.

The Bayer Event Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the most versatile fundraising venues in the city. It accommodates large groups comfortably — more than 350 guests for a cocktail-style event — and the surrounding garden setting adds a natural elegance that’s hard to replicate. It’s fully equipped with AV capabilities for presentations, videos and live programs.

La Verona at the Marketplace brings dramatic, high-impact architecture to your event. Its industrial-ballroom character creates an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and dynamic, making it a strong fit for organizations that want their event to feel current and memorable rather than predictable.

Forest Park Visitor Center is one of St. Louis’ most beloved landmarks. For organizations with deep St. Louis roots or a mission connected to the city and its community, hosting your event in Forest Park carries a meaning that guests feel before they even walk through the door.

The Spink Pavilion at the Missouri Botanical Garden is a beautiful option for organizations that want a more garden-inspired setting, with indoor and outdoor space that transitions gracefully as the evening unfolds.

Build Your Timeline Now

Here’s a practical framework for where your planning should be by the time fall arrives:

April – May: Secure your venue and date. Confirm your catering partner. Begin shaping your event format and program.

June – July: Finalize your guest list and invitation strategy. Begin menu planning conversations with your caterer. Confirm AV, entertainment and any auction logistics.

August – September: Send invitations. Finalize the menu. Confirm all vendor details and run through your event-night timeline.

October and beyond: Execute with confidence, knowing the hard decisions are behind you.

The organizations that make the most of their fall fundraisers are the ones that gave themselves enough time to be intentional. Starting now puts you in that position.

Let’s Start the Conversation

At Catering St. Louis Events, we’ve spent more than 45 years helping St. Louis organizations create fundraising events that connect, inspire and deliver results. From venue selection to customized menus to full-service event coordination, our team is here to make your fall fundraiser the best one yet.

Ready to get started? Reach out to Catering St. Louis Events and let’s talk through what’s possible for your organization this fall.

The post Why Spring Is the Right Time to Start Planning Your Fall Fundraiser appeared first on Catering St. Louis Events.

Molly + Adam

“We were in awe of the Bayer Event Center on our wedding day and loved having the Missouri Botanical Garden…as. Backdrop for our photos and cocktail hour.”

The Bayer Event Center is a unique, modern fixture right in the middle of the Missouri Botanical Garden—we can’t imagine a more perfect blend of aesthetics for your big day! Molly and Adam’s florals, combined with the colors they chose for their ceremony and reception tied in so beautifully with their location.

Morgan + Wes

Morgan and Wes’s best wedding advice? “Identify the two to three things that are most important to you and spend extravagantly on them; for us, it was the venue, a live band, and a plated dinner.” We were so honored to play such a big part in your perfect day—one of our favorite things we are able to do for our couples is provide them with both the venue and menu of their dreams. Our event planners and chefs work together with each couple to craft the perfect venue to fit their vibe and budget.

Kelsey + Matt

One of the hardest parts of your wedding day is slowing down and really taking everything in. Kelsey and Matt made sure to take in every special moment they could, even during their ceremony! This was new, even to us: they did a ceremony pause “to take in the moment when everything felt like it was going by so fast.” What a great way to soak in your wedding day! We were thankful to be a part of their intimate ceremony at La Verona.

Being featured in St. Louis Bride Magazine is always an honor, but even more, we are just always so grateful for the couples we are able to work with. We work with every couple, from beginning to end, to ensure everything is planned just the way they want it (and to make sure they are able to relax on their wedding day!). 

Reach out to our team to learn more about planning your wedding

The post Catering St. Louis Events Brides Featured in St. Louis Bride Magazine appeared first on Catering St. Louis Events.

The day began with an inspiring talk from Jennifer Jewell of Cultivating Place: Natural History & the Human Impulse to Garden. Her words set the tone for the afternoon, highlighting the importance of gardening and the beauty it brings to our lives. As guests mingled in the beautifully decorated Bayer Event Center, they enjoyed exquisite garden décor created by Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop, accompanied by delightful drinks from 1220 Spirits and Hermannhof Winery.

We extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to the event committee, Members’ Board, the St. Louis Herb Society, and event emcee Kristen Cornett from KMOV, who all played vital roles in making this event a success. A special thank you goes to our ticket buyers, silent auction bidders, and generous sponsors, including the Ann and Douglas Brown Family Foundation. Their support helped establish FLOURISH to honor the legacy of the late June Hutson, a horticulture legend and beloved Garden staff member.

Mark your calendars—FLOURISH 2025 promises to be even more spectacular! Stay tuned for details, and we look forward to celebrating with you next year.

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Catering St. Louis Events makes planning a weekday corporate event both easy and memorable for your entire team. Our corporate event planning expertise was recently showcased during a Cinco de Mayo employee appreciation event for Danna McKitrick, PC. 

For this particular event, our team curated a delightful Mexican-themed menu to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The offerings included classic favorites like tacos, enchiladas, fresh guacamole, churros and tres leches cake, all prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Our team had a great time carefully crafting each dish for this celebration.

This employee appreciation event started with our Cinco de Mayo fiesta and ended with the team going to Game Show Battle Rooms, which helped inspire the names of each dish. We creatively integrated game show phrases and other elements into the dining experience, which added an element of fun to lunch and helped build excitement for the second half of the event.

Booking a weekday corporate event with Catering St. Louis Events guarantees a well-rounded experience for you and your team, tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Our team is dedicated to delivering top-notch service, high-quality food and unique activities that leave a lasting impression on you and your team. Whether it’s a themed event like this Cinco de Mayo celebration, or any other occasion, we ensure your event is executed flawlessly from start to finish. Trust our team to turn your corporate event into a memorable occasion for you and your team.

Reach out today to schedule your next corporate event. We have many corporate packages and options to choose from that are sure to fit your needs!

(photos are from Catering STL FB)

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Host your corporate holiday party at the Garden Glow for an unforgettable end-of-year celebration that goes beyond the ordinary dinner and drinks. Imagine an evening where your team gets exclusive access to a cozy fire pit, complete with all the fixings for s’mores and hot cocoa to warm the chilly winter air. This unique setting not only offers a fun and informal way to interact but also fosters camaraderie and team spirit as you toast marshmallows under the starry night sky. Full access to the Garden Glow means your team can stroll through the shimmering paths together, enjoying the dazzling light displays that transform the garden into a winter wonderland.

This magical experience provides a perfect backdrop for team building and celebrating the year’s achievements. Walking through the illuminated gardens offers a chance to reflect on the year’s successes while setting a positive tone for the year ahead. The informal setting encourages open conversations and shared moments, strengthening team bonds. Whether it’s laughing over a craft cocktail or capturing group photos against the glow of twinkling lights, the Garden Glow event is an ideal way to give your team a memorable and joyous holiday celebration that they will talk about for years to come.

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