By Heather Jones, Wente Vineyards
Inspiring a couple for their wedding is one of those things that can be easier said than done. For photographers, they have beautiful images, while event planners and designers can put together a vision board of ideas. For caterers however, inspiration can be more difficult, unless the couple are foodies already. The good news? The catering industry has grown over the last few years, with new innovations, trends, and artistic creations abound. We’ve got a few of our favorite ideas to get your clients excited and inspired below.
Show Them Your Successes
When prospective clients walk in your door, the first thing they are going to want to see is what you’ve done in the past. What amazing products have you produced for previous clients? Do you have any press features of your events? This is a great way to get them excited for what the possibilities are, and instill confidence. You’ll need to be ready with photos of your best and most recent work. Don’t show them your favorite event from 5 years ago. No matter how good it was, it’s probably not on trend anymore and you will come off as outdated.
Show Them Trends
Not all vendors are interested in trends, but most couples are. Showing them what’s on the horizon in the food industry and what’s popular right now is an easy way to inspire any couple. They’ve likely been looking at some of the same trends already and will appreciate your knowledge and ability to make them a reality.
Give Them a Killer Tasting
The tasting is almost always the most beloved part of wedding planning for couples. Use their enthusiasm to your advantage by dazzling them with who you are. Do you have a brand new dish that you think is going to be a top seller next year? Have them be your guinea pig. Do you have new flatware, food stands, etc. that are right on trend? Clients are definitely going to want to see that. Share your ideas with them and how you can make their wedding the experience of a lifetime, and they won’t be able to say no.
With these tips in your back pocket, clients will walk out of your office feeling more inspired and more excited than ever.
Heather Jones is the Catering Sales Director for Wente Vineyards, a family-owned property that is home to a winery and vineyards, a golf course, restaurant, and a handful of unique facilities for hosting weddings and special events.
