After all, whether you have 30 guests or 300, finding a caterer who knows how to please a variety of palates is the key to a successful night.

Andy Bott, co-founder of Merri-Makers Caterers in Edison (732-225-0009; merrimakers.com), says the number-one thing to look for when selecting a caterer is experience. “Brides should select someone who is a good match with their personality,” he says. “It’s often a long relationship, so you’ll want it to be like a partnership.” In order to “wow” your guests, you’ll also want to hire someone who is on the cutting edge.

So, what’s hot right now? “Brides today are very savvy,” Bott adds. “They know exactly what they want and are not afraid to break away from tradition. Their wedding is the ideal time to celebrate who they are.” He believes caterers should embrace the challenge of creating exceptional celebrations. “Most brides want their wedding to be a little different. A new trend popping up is serving comfort food with a twist. We do appetizers like grilled cheese made with tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese or an entrée of exotic lobster macaroni and cheese. For dessert, cupcakes and ice-cream cakes are making a big comeback,” he says.

Linda Walton, a caterer located in Sea Bright (732-530-6358), stresses the importance of finding out whether the food is prepared by the caterer or if it is purchased from another source. “Preparing the food on site has become a dying art,” she says, “and the quality of the food sometimes reflects that.”

As for what catering services typically cost, it all comes down to the level of complexity and what your needs are. There’s the cost of food, and then there’s everything else-—the tent, tables, chairs, linens, plates, utensils, glasses, etc. “My procedure is to develop a proposal that is separated into the different areas that will be provided,” says Walton. “There are many ways to cut costs; the important thing is to do it in an area that will not impact the overall success of the event.” Walton’s prices range from $28 to $100 per head for food. And at the Merri-Makers onsite locations, prices start at $90 per head, jumping to $125 for off-site catering.