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Dallas, TX – When the time comes to choosing a wedding caterer, you can’t be too careful. You want the best professional help that you can get for your wedding, and this includes your wedding caterer. You need a caterer who can share your vision and still stay within your budget, and with whom you can work side by side in preparation and during your big day.

Here are some warnings signs that your wedding caterer might not be a good fit for your situation:

• The caterer agrees with everything you say, and claims she can do everything you want to do. A good caterer will tell you when your ideas are impossible, difficult or overly expensive. You don’t want someone to agree with you, you want someone who can turn your ideas into reality.

• The caterer doesn’t listen to your ideas at all. Instead, she answers your ideas with “I’m a professional,” rather than listening to them and considering them. You want to avoid a wedding caterer who sees your reception as just another portfolio piece.

• The caterer is vague or less than completely open when it comes to costs. If the caterer isn’t willing to answer whether he charges by the head or by the platter, it can be a problem. When a wedding caterer isn’t up front about costs, it’s possible he’s trying to hide certain fees that may not be included in your original calculations.

• The caterer is poor at communicating. She stops returning phone calls or emails once you’ve made your deposit, or it takes weeks to get back with you on a simple question. You need a caterer with whom you can communicate on a regular basis.

• The caterer doesn’t treat you like a customer. You’re paying the bill; you should get what you want. If the caterer belittles your ideas, is condescending or rude, don’t select that caterer.

• The caterer doesn’t provide you with references. A quality wedding caterer should be able to provide you with several names of former customers, as well as their contact information. If the caterer won’t provide them or is hesitant, it should be a warning flag.

• The caterer won’t provide a contract. A caterer who is not willing to put her promises in writing is to be avoided. If you don’t have a contract, you have no legal binding way to prove they will do the catering job. Make sure the contract includes the prices, date, venue and even the menu.

• The caterer won’t provide any samples of the dishes to be served at your wedding reception. While you can’t expect an entire meal to be served, your caterer should be able to provide you with samples of your main dishes.

If you don’t notice any of these warning signs before you’re in a contract, you need to try to make the best of it. Make sure the caterer follows the terms of the contract, and if things don’t go the way you want them to, make sure every potential bride you ever meet knows about your bad experience with that particular wedding caterer.