How to Write a Thank-You Note to Your Wedding Caterer
Weddings are filled with big moments that you'll remember: the outfit reveal, the kiss at the altar, your introduction into the reception, the first dance and so on. But you know what memory definitely sticks with your guests? The food. That's why sending a thank-you note to your wedding caterer is a must.
Feeding your guests is one of your most important duties as a wedding host and your caterer makes it all happen. Maybe their dinner choices felt restaurant-worthy. Or perhaps they saved you by letting you know just how many cocktail hour apps you'd need to feed your group. Need some inspiration to help thank your wedding professionals? We've rounded up ideas, tips and tricks to help you craft the perfect thank-you card for your wedding caterer.
- Wedding Caterer Thank-You Note Etiquette
- Wedding Caterer Thank-You Note Prompts
- Sample Wedding Caterer Thank-You Notes
Wedding Caterer Thank-You Note Etiquette
Our first tip is to just get started. After your big day, sending your wedding thank-you notes to your vendors and guests can feel daunting, but it's not something you want to procrastinate on. While traditional thank-you note etiquette says you have up to a year to get your thank-you cards sent, we think the best practice is sending your letters within three months. It'll not only be a large weight off your shoulders but will also ensure your notes feel sincere and not too late—and that your caterer will remember you and your big day more vividly.
In a pinch? Thank-you notes to your wedding vendors can be sent via email if you're okay with forgoing a classic snail-mail letter. You and your partner can decide what works best for you. But no matter how you send the note, make sure it comes across as heartfelt. Include the caterer's name in your greeting, add personal memories or experiences from working with your caterer and sign it from the both of you.
You may also consider adding a public review for your caterer in addition to the personal thank-you. While the thank-you note is your chance to express your and your partner's personal gratitude, the public review is an opportunity to let other couples know of your great experience and drum up more business for your caterer.
Wedding Caterer Thank-You Note Prompts
With so many thank-you notes to write, it can feel difficult to get started and you may experience writer's block figuring out what to say. We've compiled some ideas and prompts to help get the creative juices flowing so that you can make your thank-you note to your wedding caterer as heartfelt and personal as possible.
- Mention the course that made everyone clean their plates.
- Thank them for accommodating any dietary requests or allergies.
- What made you want to hire them as a caterer? Think back to what excited you about their services.
- Did you notice any of their employees going above and beyond? Give them a shout-out!
- Highlight any compliments you received on the food from your guests at the reception or post-wedding.
- Mention how much fun you and your partner had at your tasting.
- Did they guide you on the best way to stick to your budget while still giving your guests top-tier food?
- Did you have any unique requests for the food, such as creating a donut wall or serving one of your family's most treasured dishes? Thank them for going above and beyond.
- Share gratitude for how well they communicated with you throughout the planning process.
- Let them know you can't wait to recommend them to your family and friends.
- Did your caterer also provide the drinks for your wedding? Thank them for the amazing cocktails or expert wine pairing!
Sample Wedding Caterer Thank-You Notes
Feeling inspired? Below, you'll find some examples of how to bring these prompts to life in a beautiful thank-you message for wedding catering, from the perfect greeting to how to sign off. These can be used as general templates to guide what to write or you can lift this language verbatim and add in your own personal details for a one-of-a-kind, grateful thank-you letter.
Example 1
Dear [Caterer's Name],
We wanted to say thank you for providing the amazing food at our wedding! We seriously loved every bite. Having vegan options at our wedding was important to us and you not only came through, but you gave us some of the best vegan food we've ever had. Even our Uncle Tim, a devout carnivore, had amazing things to say about your vegan dishes.
We especially wanted to give kudos to our server, Mike. He went above and beyond to make sure all our food and drink needs were met, bringing us seconds at our seats and checking in often. Your employees truly did an amazing job and you should feel proud of the team you've built!
Again, thank you so much for your services. We can't wait to recommend you to all our family and friends for their future events!
All the best,
[Couple's Names]
Example 2
Dear [Caterer's Name],
Thank you so much for the amazing food at our wedding. It was so delicious! When we walked into the reception and saw the jaw-dropping donut wall you built, we knew the food would be good, but you blew us away with every bite. We particularly enjoyed the salmon. It was perfectly done.
From start to finish, working with you was such a fun and easy process. The transparency you provided on prices helped us budget for all aspects of our wedding, and we appreciated all of your fast replies to our many questions. We also had so much fun trying all of your yummy samples at our tasting. After the tasting, we hyped up the food to all our guests and they all agreed you exceeded their expectations.
We can't express our gratitude enough. We appreciate you and wish you all the best!
Many thanks,
[Couple's Names]
Example 3
Dear [Caterer's Name],
We wanted to thank you for serving such an incredible meal at our wedding. It was phenomenal! From the tasting to the final course, you truly went above and beyond to make our day unforgettable.
Our guests are still raving about the food weeks later—our aunt Barbara even said the mushroom risotto was the best she's ever had. We're particularly grateful for how accommodating you were when we requested signature cocktails be served at the bar. Not only were both drinks delicious, but the [insert specific ingredients] perfectly represented where we got engaged. Your whole team's professionalism and dedication made everything run smoothly, allowing us to be fully present in the moment and enjoy our special day without any stress.
Thank you again for being such an important part of our wedding. We wish you every success!
Take care,
[Couple's Names]
Additional reporting by Shyla Watson