• AWH Editorial Team
• May 03, 2026
• Wedding Planning How-To

15 Questions to Ask Your Asian Wedding C...

Catering is one of the most personal and important decisions in any South Asian wedding. Your guests will remember the food long after they have forgotten the table centrepieces. A specialist South Asian wedding caterer who understands your regional cuisine, dietary requirements, and event format is invaluable.

But choosing a caterer requires more than tasting their biryani. You need to understand exactly what you are paying for, what happens if things go wrong, and whether their operations match the demands of your event. These 15 questions will protect you.

1. Can you provide documentation of your Halal certification?

If Halal catering is required, do not accept a verbal assurance. Ask for the name of the certifying body, the certificate reference, and when it was last renewed. A reputable Halal caterer will have no hesitation providing this. If they cannot produce documentation, look elsewhere.

2. Do you have experience catering events of this size and type?

A caterer who regularly serves 50-person corporate lunches is not the same as one who has catered 400-guest Pakistani weddings. Ask for specifics — how many South Asian weddings have they catered this year? Can they share references from similar events?

3. What is your minimum guest number?

Some caterers have minimum order sizes that may be above or below your guest count. Clarify this early to avoid wasting time on a caterer who cannot serve your specific number.

4. How is per-head pricing structured?

Understand exactly what the per-head price includes. Does it cover service staff, crockery and cutlery, linen, serving dishes, and clearing up? Or is it food only? A caterer who provides all of the above at a higher per-head rate may be better value than one offering food alone.

5. Can we arrange a paid tasting?

Any serious South Asian wedding caterer should offer a tasting session — typically paid, often deductible from the final invoice. Tasting the actual menu before committing is non-negotiable. If a caterer will not arrange a tasting, that is a red flag.

6. How do you accommodate dietary requirements?

South Asian wedding guest lists frequently include vegetarians, vegans, Jain guests, those with nut allergies, diabetics, and guests avoiding specific ingredients. Ask how dietary requirements are tracked, communicated to the kitchen, and served on the day. A structured process for this is a sign of professionalism.

7. What staff do you include?

How many service staff are included per head? Will they manage table service, replenish a buffet, or only set up and clear away? Understaffed catering at a 400-guest wedding is a disaster. Get the staffing ratio in writing.

8. What serving style do you recommend for our event?

Sit-down plated service, buffet, food stations, or sharing platters — each has implications for cost, flow, and guest experience. An experienced caterer will advise on the best format for your guest count, venue layout, and menu.

9. What time do you need access to the venue for setup?

Caterers typically need several hours of kitchen and venue access before guests arrive. Confirm what access time they need, whether this is included in your venue hire, and whether there are additional fees for early access.

10. Do you have public liability insurance and food hygiene certification?

Any professional caterer working at commercial events must hold public liability insurance and comply with food hygiene regulations. Ask for their food hygiene rating and public liability certificate. If they cannot produce these, do not proceed.

11. What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

What happens if you need to cancel or change your date? What proportion of the deposit do you lose? At what stage does the balance become non-refundable? Get this in writing — and consider wedding insurance that covers catering cancellations.

12. How do you handle changes to guest numbers?

Guest counts change — sometimes significantly. Ask what the final headcount deadline is, whether there is a minimum final notice period for changes, and what the per-head cost is for numbers above or below your initial estimate.

13. Will you be at the event personally?

For the person you meet during the sales and tasting process to hand the actual event over to a team you have never met is disconcerting. Ask whether the senior team member you have built a relationship with will be present on the day, or who specifically will be in charge.

14. Is a service charge included or additional?

Some caterers quote a base price and add a service charge of 10 to 15 percent at invoice stage. Confirm the total all-in price, including any service charges, surcharges for late-night service, or additional fees that are not in the initial quote.

15. Can you provide references from recent comparable events?

Ask for references from couples who have had a similar wedding — similar size, similar cuisine, similar format — catered by this team within the last 12 months. Speak to those couples directly before committing. A strong caterer will have happy clients willing to speak for them.

Frequently Asked Questions