Your Complete Wedding Catering Checklist for Planning a Sydney Wedding
Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but with the right wedding checklist, it doesn’t have to be. Did you know that Sydney couples spend an average of 15 months planning their big day? That’s a lot of time to make decisions — and mistakes.
What if there were a simple way to ensure your wedding catering runs smoothly? Whether you dream of bespoke wedding menus or interactive food stations, this wedding checklist will help you stay on track.
Want a more compact checklist? Download our free wedding catering checklist with 28 questions to quickly filter out premier Sydney wedding caterers. Write “wedding checklist.” in this form.
Wedding checklist
Plan & Define (8-12 Months Before)
#1 Decide on the type of reception
Will it be a casual cocktail party, an elegant sit-down dinner, or share plates for a communal dining experience? Each style has its own charm and its own season.
If the client has a clear vision for their wedding, we can easily provide quotes and plans for their wedding goals. If our client does not have a clear vision, then we are able to provide recommendations and ideas for their wedding day.
#2 Define your food and beverage budget:
Take into account the guest count, menu type, and whether you’ll include bar services.
#3 Attend introductory tastings with caterers:
Narrow down your options by experiencing their offerings firsthand. That said, finding the right caterer can be complicated. It’s important to ask the right questions to stay on top of your game.
At Boardwalk Catering, once you’ve explored our menus and what we can offer for your wedding catering, we’ll invite you and your fiancé in for a complimentary wedding tasting at our commercial kitchen in Artarmon. This no-obligation tasting is so that we can get to know you better and understand your wedding vision. It also lets you meet our team and taste our food. The goal of this tasting is to demonstrate to you our level of quality, portion sizes, attention to detail and to build a relationship.
Once we have met you and your fiancé, discussed what you would like for your wedding and understood your vision, we provide a detailed quotation to suit.
If you’re not sure about what questions to ask, we’ve compiled a list of 28 essential questions to filter out the best wedding caterers in Sydney. Text “wedding checklist.”
#4 Choose a catering company:
Look for one that aligns with your style and offers flexibility for customisation. Once that is done, you need to secure them. The best ones fly – and they fly fast especially during wedding seasons. How do you do that?
You…
#5 Pay a deposit:
Secure your wedding caterer early to lock in your date.
After you’ve had a look at the quote, we can tailor it further to suit your needs. We can go back and forth an unlimited number of times (we want to get it right for you).
Pro Tip: Now once your caterer is secured, they’ll sit down with you to discuss your needs, budget, and style. So, it’s important to know what to expect beforehand.
Here’s a complete guide to a hassle-free wedding catering experience. We recommend bookmarking it so you can refer back to it anytime you have questions.
Research & Choose (6 Months Before)
#1 Plan the wedding menu with your caterer:
High-end Sydney wedding caterers are all about food. Granted, there’s the gown, the suits, the style, the photographs, the lighting, the flowers, and the amazing hairstyles, but at the end of the day, it’s the happy bellies that make for happy weddings.
- Entrées or canapés: Consider unique options like smoked salmon blinis or vegan bruschetta.
- Dinner: Decide between mains such as herb-crusted lamb or vegan eggplant parmigiana. Please see our menus and prices.
- Desserts: Think beyond cake—mini pavlovas or tiramisu cups could be a hit.
- Late-night eats: Sliders or mini tacos keep the energy going.
- Beverages: Include options for wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
#2 Select rentals for table settings:
Plates, linens, and glassware should match your theme. Consider gold accents for a luxe vibe or rustic wooden chargers for a boho aesthetic.
Contact Boardwalk Catering today for a premium wedding catering experience. Email [email protected] or call 0434 917 069.
Finalise & Delegate (1 Month Before)
#1 Record menu selections as RSVPs come in:
Tip: Use a spreadsheet to track allergies and dietary restrictions.
#2 Finalise the seating chart:
Ensure guests with specific needs are seated accordingly.
#3 Discuss presentation details with the caterer:
Will food be plated, or served buffet-style? Clarify timing and logistics.
Two Weeks Before
We’re finally here, everything is in place. Here are the last, but just as important, details:
#1 Provide final guest count:
Include wedding vendors, like photographers, who’ll need meals.
#2 Supply place cards and table numbers to the catering manager:
Make sure they’re legible and match your decor.
#3 Confirm all schedules:
Share your day-of timeline with the wedding catering team to ensure seamless service.
The big day
We execute your wedding vision in a relaxed way but with attention to detail and care. Our meticulous planning ensures that we don’t bother you too much on the day and guarantees everything runs like clockwork. We obviously look after the food, but can also assist with beverages, staffing, theming and can also recommend our network of florists, DJ, band, styling and even complete wedding planning. All we want is for your day to be the best it can be! Not a small ask, but we ensure everything at our end is perfect so you don’t have to worry.
The Boardwalk Catering difference
There you have it! Hopefully this wedding checklist has provided you with an idea of what to expect. But it’s vital to remember that planning a Sydney wedding is easier when you partner with a trusted caterer.
Here are five reasons why Boardwalk Catering stands out:
- Gold Licence Accredited: Our gold licence guarantees premium quality and food safety standards, so you can rest assured your guests are in good hands.
- Attention to Detail: From custom menus to flawless execution, we go through each step of your wedding checklist handling every aspect of your wedding catering with precision.
- Professionalism: Our team combines expertise with a personal touch to make your day truly memorable.
- Liquor Licence: Whether it’s champagne toasts or a full bar, we’ve got you covered.
- Exclusive Venue Partnerships: We collaborate with Sydney’s top venues to bring your dream wedding to life.
So, what do some of Sydney’s happiest couples say about our wedding catering?
Well, we love getting feedback from weddings, often we are lucky enough to receive handwritten notes and even flowers. Here are a few reviews which we have received recently from our lovely brides and grooms.
“Amazing!!!! Cannot recommend this team highly enough. They did food stations at my wedding and everyone LOVED it. From the start Alli was very quick to respond, easy to work with, accommodating and very well priced. The food was delicious, the presentation was on point and the service was phenomenal. Many people even mistook Alli for the wedding coordinator because she was so organised and professional. They even gave us left overs for the next day. If we ever need catering again we will use them! Thank you Alli and Tim” – Georgie
“From the initial stages of planning to the big day, communications were fantastic. Alli (of Boardwalk Catering) was friendly, professional and quite accommodating to our needs. My husband and I love our food so we needed a caterer who can deliver delicious food at our wedding and they delivered! You’ve done an amazing job. Thank you again Tim and Alli.” – Erita
“John and your team are AMAZING. I was so so so impressed. I really thought that I would have to do a lot on the night but John was so on the ball and the rest of the team were so professional that there was hardly anything for me to do except enjoy the night. Perfect. You have been a dream to work with from day one and Becca and Jack told me that your husband is not only a fantastic chef but a lovely guy. I am Boardwalk Catering’s No 1 fan. I can’t believe how luck we have been to work with you. I feel like having a big party just so I can use you again.” – Veronica
Got more questions? Send us an email at [email protected] or call us on 0434 917 069. Our team is looking forward to it.
Wedding checklist questions, answered.
- How far in advance should I book a wedding caterer in Sydney?
We recommend booking 8-12 months in advance to secure your preferred date and menu. - Can Boardwalk Catering accommodate dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. We can customise menus to suit all dietary requirements, from gluten-free to vegan options. Download our free guide and claim your free wedding checklist for an amazing Sydney wedding ceremony. - What is included in your wedding catering packages?
Our packages include everything from bespoke menus to table settings, beverages, and staff. Please contact us for more information. - Do you offer tasting sessions?
Yes, we offer introductory tastings to help you finalise your wedding menu. - Can you help with beverages and bar service?
Yes, we are fully licensed and can provide a range of beverage options for your event.
Photo by Milad K Studio
Parting Thoughts
Planning a wedding in Sydney can be daunting, but with the right caterer and a comprehensive wedding checklist, it’s achievable and, surprisingly enough, enjoyable.
At Boardwalk Catering, we’re committed to making your wedding day as seamless as it is special. Ready to get started?
Download our free wedding checklist with 28 questions to filter out premier Sydney wedding caterers! Write “wedding checklist.”
For bespoke menus and premium catering, contact us today: [email protected] | 0434 917 069
