Just Engaged? When to Book Your Caterer for a 2027 Wedding
Quick answer
Start looking at caterers 10 to 12 months before your date.
Plan to book about 6 to 8 months out, or sooner for summer Saturdays.
Pick your date and venue first. Your caterer needs both to hold your spot.
Engagement season runs from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day. About 40% of proposals happen in that window. December is the most popular month of the year to get engaged. If you're newly engaged and planning for 2027, here's where your caterer fits.
When should I book my caterer?
Start looking 10 to 12 months before your date. Plan to book about 6 to 8 months out, based on Zola's planning guide. The Knot suggests booking even earlier, 12 to 18 months out, if your venue doesn't include catering.
For a summer or early-fall Saturday in the Seattle area, aim for the early end. Those dates go first, for venues and caterers alike.
What order should I book things in?
Set your budget and rough guest count. Both shape every other choice, and catering is priced per guest.
Choose your date and venue. Your caterer needs both before confirming. Ask each venue if it requires caterers from an approved list.
Make a short list of two or three caterers. Look at menus, reviews and how quickly and clearly they reply. Our guide to choosing a wedding caterer in Seattle covers what to look for.
Book your caterer. A signed agreement and deposit hold your date.
Schedule your tasting. This usually happens a few months before the wedding, once the menu is taking shape. Why tastings matter
Confirm final details. Share your final headcount, dietary needs and day-of timeline. We need your final headcount 14 days before the wedding.
What should I ask before I sign?
Is my date open, and how long can you hold it?
What's included per person? Think staff, rentals, cake cutting and bar service.
Is there a gratuity or service charge, and how does it work?
How do you handle allergies and special diets?
Have you worked at our venue before?
Why is booking early easier?
Booking early does more than hold your date. It gives you time to plan the menu without pressure, and to taste and adjust. We lock your pricing 90 days before the event. If food costs shift before then, you'll have time to adjust the menu. Beef prices, for example, are expected to rise more than 9% in 2026.
It also means your caterer can help with choices you haven't made yet. Think service style, timing and how to make the most of your venue's layout.
How do I hold a 2027 date?
Twelve Baskets has catered Seattle-area weddings since 1976, with WeddingWire Couples' Choice honors across more than a decade. If you're newly engaged, the easiest first step is to see if your date is open.
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