Meet the Wedding superstars – Dawn from Claret Catering

As a wedding Photographer I get to go to a lot of weddings. I love good food at a wedding, it’s important the couple choose wisely and great food is a good starting point for your wedding. There’s none better than Dawn to sort this out for you, so having sampled her food (and drinks) I can honestly recommend her 110%. So I was delighted to hear more about her having seen how well she treats her couples (and also other wedding suppliers).

Tell me a little bit about yourself, what made you start?

I started claret catering in 2010 just at the time of the world financial crash when companies all around me were closing and going out of business ! I had worked for many years in good quality hotels in Dorset and was confident that I could offer an excellent customer service as well as great food to wedding couples within realistic budgets.
Offering on the day co-ordination sets Claret Catering apart from other catering companys and our brides and grooms choose us because from their first meeting with us they know that they are in safe and experienced hands and that every little detail will be taken care of and they can relax and enjoy their special day without any additional stresses that weddings can bring.

Every couple and their family are unique and it is my job to show that in the food that they choose. There are no standard menus to have to choose from and no hidden extras to be faced with – that’s not Clarets way. If there is a special dish that is a family favourite we will work it into the menu.
We work with a couples theme and have no issues in making sure that their day is about them. So if they are not smoked salmon canape people – why not have mini burgers instead.

What is your favourite memory of catering at a wedding?

Our most unusual request was for a full English Fry up as the wedding breakfast and that’s awesome !
Every couple is welcomed to by the claret team with a free personalised consultation at a time that suits them – whether its evenings or weekends, we pride ourselves on our flexibility to work around our clients busy lives and take the time to get to know them.
We are very much on the wedding planning journey together and give as much support as we can along the way, encouraging any questions or queries – not just about the food but anything else wedding related. Then of course, the person that you met on day one is there with you on your wedding day – making sure that everything that has been asked for happens and any little issues can be swiftly dealt with before anyone notices.

How long have you been doing your thing?

With our years of experience we have seen it all – from badly behaved relatives and small babies who need to be rocked to sleep to collapsing cakes and dresses that need emergency adjustments. Nothing is too much trouble. Relatives are dealt with, babies are rocked, cakes are rebuilt and brides are fitted back into their dresses in time for the photos !

What is the advantage of hiring a professional (you)?

To give that complete package, Claret also bring with them all the crockery, cutlery, glassware and table cloths, as well as making sure that there are ovens and fridges in the right place too. This is another worry taken away and often overlooked in the excitement of planning.
Our mobile bar comes with us. It is free of any set up or hire charges and there is no minimum spend or deposit needed. A full range of branded spirits are available as well as local ales and cider on tap. Any special requests for drinks to be stocked can be made again at no extra charge.
We are a popular choice within the Dorset wedding industry and more and more wedding professionals are calling upon us to cater for their own family wedding. This for us is the ultimate compliment, as if someone in the industry trusts chooses you for their own family over any other caterer and bar supplier in the area it says a lot for who the Claret team are and the job that they do.
Secret food passion – egg custard tarts.

What do you do for fun?

Best wedding song to get me on the floor – Walking on sunshine – Katrina and the waves

Dawns contact details are:

www.claretcatering.co.uk
events@claretcatering.co.uk

Call her on 0788 414 6376

You can also find her on facebook, twitter and instagram.