Catering is one of the most expensive, and important, elements of your wedding day. Choosing the right caterer who is within your budget and meets your needs can be tricky, but don't let it overwhelm you. Follow these ten tips and hopefully selecting the right caterer and making sure you get the right service to suit your wedding will be made a little bit easier.

1. The type of wedding reception you host makes a big difference in the kind of caterer you need. For a formal, three-course, sit-down meal, a high-end caterer with extensive knowledge and an excellent list of referrers is your best option. This type of caterer usually has a long history and therefore understands the ins and outs of a formal wedding.

2. If any of the caterers you are planning on using for your wedding has a shop or premises, go and try out some of their food so you can sample their culinary skills and make sure they are a good standard for your big day.

3. Before you decide on which caterer you intend to use shop around for a few no obligation quotes. Remember to ask each caterer the same questions each time, that way you will get a fair comparison of their respective fees.

4. When you are putting together a checklist of what you need, make sure you include the following information. The date of the wedding, the location and time of the wedding reception, the proposed number of guests, your budget and any particular dietary requirements and the number of guests with them.

5. For your quote do not forget some of these important questions. Will the total cost of the catering include VAT? Do you have to provide your own alcohol and if not is there a drinks package on offer? If you provide your own alcohol will you be required to pay a corkage fee? When will the full balance need to be paid? When will the caterer need to know the final number of guests?

6. A business contract is always necessary in any business transactions and catering is no exception. The contract can be written and signed by you, the contractor and a witness (if possible your fiancé or friend) and should include even the smallest of details to ensure there are no misunderstanding as to what is expected by both yourself and the caterer. Assume you will need to put down a deposit.

7. Much like selecting the menu options, you will need to factor in what kinds of drinks everyone would like to drink. The easiest way to take care of this is to offer a full service bar. In this way, guests can have mixed drinks of all varieties or they can stick to wine and beer.

Many weddings will provide a certain amount of wine and beer and any other drinks on top of this can be paid for at the bar. Please bear in mind that your guests will have spent money on their outfits and transport to be at your wedding so it will be a fine compromise between keeping within your budget and not expecting them to spend more money at the bar.

8. On top of all your other drink based requirements don’t forget the champagne! Toasts are just not toasts without a little glass (or two) of champagne. Its common sense to make sure that the new couple and their wedding party have the very finest in champagne (as determined by the budget), while the rest of the guests have another variety. In many reception halls or catering services, the champagne for the wedding party is provided.

9. As most people tend to have their wedding during the summer months where it is often quite hot, you may want to consider getting a quote for a three course buffet meal as well as a three course hot meal. There is a considerable difference in the cost, so if your wedding is on a tight budget the buffet may be an option worth considering.

10. Always inquire about the cancellation policy. Read the fine lines in any contract as there may be stiff penalties involved if you need to change the date of your event. Another suggestion is to put some thought into a backup plan. Although it's rare and highly unlikely a wedding caterer or catering company would leave you high and dry, stranger things have happened.

Hopefully these top tips will help you to find the perfect caterer for your wedding, with the best food, the best service and at the best price.