Planning tool
Event Catering Checklist Generator
Choose your event type and date for a tailored catering plan. Check off tasks from booking to cleanup, then print your checklist or save it as a PDF.
Planner note
Use this event catering checklist generator before requesting quotes so your numbers and assumptions are easier to compare.
Choose a date to put calendar dates in each stage heading. Leave it blank to use a relative timeline.
Your catering plan
Wedding checklist
Coordinate the meal with your ceremony, speeches and reception. Start booking earlier for popular dates or venues.
These are suggested planning dates. Follow your caterer’s booking, payment and final-count deadlines if they come earlier. If a milestone has already passed, tackle its unfinished tasks first.
0 of 18 tasks complete
Use + Add item in any section to customize your checklist. Added items and progress are kept while this page is open, separately for each event type. Print or save as PDF to keep a copy.
8 weeks before or earlier1. Set the plan
4 weeks before2. Book and organize
2 weeks before3. Refine the details
1 week before4. Confirm the handoff
Event day5. Host and serve
Day after6. Wrap up
Make the checklist part of the event handoff
Give each task a person and a deadline
A checklist is easier to use when every task has an owner. Decide who confirms the final guest count, sends the dietary notes and checks the delivery entrance. If a venue coordinator or colleague is helping, share the list early enough for them to identify anything missing.
Before your Ottawa event, review the outstanding items against the caterer's proposal. A task marked complete should mean the arrangement is confirmed, not simply that someone sent a question. Keep the final version with the supplier contact details.
- Update the list when the venue or meal schedule changes.
- Add rental returns and cleanup after the meal.
- Print or save the plan for the person receiving the catering team.