Masters of Reception
August 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Robert and Jerry Frungillo aren’t just wedding caterers—they're magic-makers for many (sometimes up to 20 a weekend) New Jersey couples. After 35 years in the business, the brothers have served everyone from Frank Sinatra to Sting. Beginning tomorrow night, the dynamic duo will share their love of catering, family and food on their new show, Masters of Reception. In anticipation of their debut, we asked the Frungillos to share some of their top wedding catering tips.
One word: research! Before your first meeting with a potential caterer, do some legwork. Have an idea of how much you want to spend, what you'd like on the menu and the overall ambience you want to achieve at your wedding. A little Internet research could keep you from wasting time meeting with a caterer who charges $300 a person, when you can only afford $100. Also, it is crucial know the what type of reception venue you want before your first meeting with a caterer.
Accounting 101 Don’t even think about hopping in the car without a spreadsheet of what you can afford, what you can’t afford and where all that money is coming from. “You really want to stay on budget because a month before when all your money is due, if you went 5% over, where’s that money coming from?” says Robert.
Ask questions! Some salespeople choose to be less detailed than others, so steer clear of any surprises by asking a lot of questions upfront. Some catering companies have perks like valet parking, but others could charge you an extra $1,000 for the service without you knowing. Bringing your own cake? Many places have a cake-cutting fee that could cost anywhere from $5 to $10 a slice. If your state allows you to bring wine to your banquet hall, be prepared to possibly pay a $10 to $20 corkage fee per bottle. But the real hidden cost? The service fee, which could run anywhere from 6-30%. Some caterers include it in the quoted price, but be forewarned, it’s almost never optional.
Who says you have to book caterers at least a year in advance? “Everything’s changed now,” says Robert. “We’ve catered weddings on two months notice and a two and a half year notice, so I don’t think there’s a set amount of time.” With more couples getting married in their late 20s, couples are tying the knot within 6 to 8 months of their engagement. There may be fewer dates available at your favorite banquet hall or less bands to choose from closer to the big day, but when you plan a wedding on short notice you could save money and spend less time being stressed.
Be sure to check out the Frungillo brothers tomorrow night at 10 p.m. EST on TLC's Masters of Reception!
Click here for more expert advice from the Frungillo brothers!
—Chrissy Mahlmeister
