Helpful Thoughts Before Hiring a Caterer
Oehme Oasis Wedding & Events vendor options for catering is OPEN, they just need to be a licensed & insured caterer. That means you have the freedom in choosing whatever caterer fits your personal vibe and budget, the food just needs to come from a licensed kitchen, by a licensed and insured caterer. (This is also to protect you as the couple)
Not all caterers include disposable dinnerware. There are so many options out there that couples may want, that many caterers just have the couple provide it. So make sure you ask.
We have done TONS of tests, and purchased countless samples of flatware. These plates (several options available) have BLOWN others out of the water for durability & more. https://a.co/d/5HruuB6 Keep in mind if it says 120 plates, that is 60 dinner/larger plates and 60 medium plates. For couples who require a pre-meal appetizer or who are having a late night snack, these middle plates are a great option.
These make for great sweet treat/dessert plates. https://a.co/d/cekfV2R Note: If you are having a sweet treat of any kind, you do need flatware.
Click this link for some amazing napkins https://a.co/d/5Vpwh9E
Some caterers offer linen and china packages, but it is not included in their base pricing. So again, if this is something you are interested in, make sure you ask specifically.
Most caterers do NOT provide cake plates and forks unless they are providing the dessert. Most CAN if you ask/pay additional for it.
The ‘Great Value’ clear silverware from Walmart has been the only silverware we have found to pass the quality test, time after time.
All food needs to arrive cooked & prepared. Our licensing doesn’t allow for cooking onsite as we have no kitchen, 3 section sink, running water, etc.
If you are getting your food from a location that doesn’t come onsite and serve their own food, you need to Contact Oehme Oasis right away for additional requirements.
Your caterer is in charge of bussing tables after dinner and cleaning up the area they used after use. Unless you have added “Table Bussing” to your wedding day package. *Typically the IN-House option is significantly less in cost than what a caterer would charge*-- JL Catering no longer even offers this service due to our option being more affordable. — In house is currently $200 and they also then remove tables & chairs for the dance floor.
Caterers do have various pricing models. Some have a delivery charge, some don’t. Some charge for staff time separately from food, some don’t. Some have setup or teardown fees, some don’t. ProTip: Ask for a mock FINAL BILL that would include all taxes, service charges, gratuities and fees before deciding on a caterer. We have had couples thinking they were getting food at about $15 a plate, but after all the additional charges and fees, it was more like $20+
Most caterers cannot legally provide you the leftovers. So don’t be upset or taken by surprise.
Plan on ONE tasting with a caterer. On rare occasions, couples want to go back for 2 or 3 tastings with a caterer. Because our personal preferred caterers are some of the small and more affordable caterers, that is really hard on them. Since we want to help keep their costs down for our couples over time, we encourage you to avoid this. Plan to go to one tasting and take your mom and dad to the first one. {Or whoever needs to taste the food too}
Food Trucks
Oehme Oasis Wedding & Events needs to grant you permission prior to booking a food truck.— This is because there are some specific requirements needed per the town & county.
Trucks will need to provide all heating/electrical needed due to past experiences of them popping breakers.
Remember to have a rain back-up plan/set-up. {Guests typically do not appreciate standing outside in poor weather waiting for their meal}
Whoever provides the event meal is in charge of bussing tables after dinner and cleaning up the area they used. Unless you have added “Table Bussing” to your wedding day package. *Typically the IN-House option is significantly less in cost than what a caterer would charge*
Food Trucks are required to follow the same specifications as any career/buffet setup. see above
Sweet Treats
Let’s Talk Treats!
If you get your desserts from a big box store like Sam’s Club or Walmart, you will not need to turn in their license and insurance information.
If your caterer/baker comes onsite we will need their insurance information.
At this time, WI licensing does not permit “home baked goods”— just as they are no longer allowed in most schools.
MINI cupcakes vs ‘normal’ cupcakes seem to go over very well! You may just want to purchase a few extra ;) Look into Day of Task Management for setting up & more.
We caution couples on getting any cake, cupcake, cookies with frosting, etc that are deep in color. Guests will see it and in our experience, steer clear. IE: Stay away from red, blues, greens, purples, etc. These turn your mouth, tongue and teeth color. The best options seem to be white or soft pale colors.
I stuck my finger in a cupcake and pulled it out like ‘Little Jack Horner’ and my entire finger was INSTANTLY dyed blue, as was my mouth and teeth. Let’s just say, they donated a lot of cupcakes the next day, and threw away even more!
PM Snack
Late Night Snacks have been a guest FAVORITE over the last several years at Oehme Oasis.
If you are interested in having a PM snack, make sure you add it to your “Optional Enhancement” page.
If you are having a ‘late night caterer’ come ONSITE, we will need their licensing and insurance, just like your other vendors.
Due to St. Croix County Licensing, all food, including a late night snack, needs to come from a licensed and insured kitchen. *If you have any idea, and are unsure of what it may need, send us a message and we will help*
A budget friendly options has been Dominos in New Richmond. It has been the main “GO TO” for late night snacks. We have never seen 20+ pizzas go as fast as they do, every time.
Fire Truck Pizza has also been onsite. Their information is in the VENDOR section in your private portal.
