To make the task of selecting a caterer for your big day a little less overwhelming, we talked with bling bling dumpling, a Los Angeles-based catering company, to grab their expert advice!
Read more to learn the right time to book, common mistakes couples make, and essential questions to ask your potential caterer.
D&D: Hi Pei-Yen, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. To start off, tell us a little about yourself!
Pei-Yen: Hi! Thank you, I appreciate you reaching out to chat. I've had a really varied background in terms of experience and have done everything from working in television production to bookbinding. But I've always loved cooking. Despite all these other jobs and careers, it's been my main passion consistently throughout my life.
D&D: How did you get started with bling?
Pei-Yen: It all started from a trip we took to Taiwan and wanted to bring the experience and creativity to Los Angeles as something special from the beginning, but at first, we tested the waters a bit by selling boxed lunches. So, once a week, we would sell our dumplings to co-workers. It took off fairly quickly after that. From there, we started doing a lot of music festivals, such as Coachella, Life is Beautiful, and Bottle Rock. We were constantly on the move. Within the last several years, bling has focused a lot more on our catering services and more specialized events.
D&D: What is the inspiration behind bling?
Pei-Yen: Well, in addition to our mutual love and appreciation for food, We were inspired by handmade street food from our home city, Taipei, Taiwan. Remixing these traditional Taiwanese comfort foods and reinventing them in new and exciting ways motivates us to continue creating in the kitchen.
D&D: Shifting gears a bit, what are some of the most important things for couples to keep in mind when choosing a caterer?
Pei-Yen: Not all caterers offer the same type of services, or menu styles for that matter. So, it's good for couples to have an idea of what they want for their wedding day before starting their caterer search. Determining the type of dinner service they would like, food style and cuisine type, and budget are great jumping-off points for reaching out to caterers initially.
D&D: How far in advance should couples try to book a caterer?
Pei-Yen: Honestly, the sooner the better. Once a client selects their date and books their venue, it's always good to start focusing on catering. Couples should give themselves time to properly vet what they're looking for, compare quotes, and really gain an understanding of what their potential caterer can offer.
Food is such an essential part of their day. Booking early not only ensures availability for the catering company they want. It also allows for more time for caterers to get to know the client and start focusing on a curated menu.
D&D: What are some common mistakes you see couples making?
Pei-Yen: One of the top mistakes I see is couples looking at pricing alone. We caterers all have our own way of organizing proposals. Some of these proposals are all-inclusive (plates, flatware, service staff, etc.), while others may be the cost of food only without any of the added extras. When searching for a caterer, be sure to compare the actual breakdown and not just the final pricing.
Another common mistake is giving their guests either too many choices or focusing too much on what guests may want. Couples can sometimes get caught up in peer pressure or etiquette and end up with a menu that is different from what they ultimately wanted. Pick what you love and stick to it!
D&D: What are some questions couples should be asking their potential caterers?
Pei-Yen: Do you have a set menu, or can you customize menu selections? What is included in your pricing? Do you provide rentals? Is there an extra cost for setup and breakdown? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions? And lastly, I'm adding this here for my planner friends, haha, do you have insurance?
D&D: Ha! Thank you for that last bit. Any final words of wisdom for couples currently in the planning stage?
Pei-Yen: We vendors understand how stressful it can be for couples planning their wedding. Hire vendors you've properly vetted so you can put your full faith in them and ask for their professional advice. You've hired us because we're the experts, and we'll gladly give you our input when you need it!
D&D: Lastly, for anyone considering bling bling dumpling as their caterer, where can they sample your delicious bites?
Pei-Yen: We're always active with festivals and pop-ups all over California. We update our whereabouts regularly on Instagram for anyone wanting to find us there. We also offer delivery and takeout through Grub Hub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash. You can book directly through our website, blingblingdumpling.com.
D&D: Wonderful; well, thank you for your time!
Pei-Yen: Thank you!