Bay Area Wedding Catering
Done Right - Since 2012

We are equipped for everything from intimate elopements to grand celebrations of 1,000 guests. We request a minimum guest count at the time of booking, with your final guaranteed count due 14 days before the big day.

Most couples book 6–12 months in advance, especially for peak season dates (May–October). Popular weekends fill quickly. If your date is within 3 months, reach out anyway — we'll be honest about availability and may be able to accommodate last-minute bookings depending on our schedule.

To ensure exceptional hospitality, we follow these staffing standards: Plated Dinner — 1 server per 10–12 guests. Buffet/Stations — 1 server per 25 guests. Bar Service — 1 bartender per 75 guests for beer/wine, or 1 per 50 for a full bar with signature cocktails.

Bay Area parties are hard to stop! We charge for staff by the hour with a five-hour minimum. If your celebration runs longer than planned, we simply bill the additional hours based on the actual time worked by our crew.

Absolutely. Inclusivity is a standard, not an upgrade. Whether you need vegan, gluten-free, or specific allergen-friendly meals (nut-free, dairy-free, and more), our chefs prepare these with the same care as the rest of the menu — scratch-made on-site with full control over every ingredient.

Yes — and we're fully insured for both food and alcohol service (Liquor Liability $1M/$2M through Hartford). We can provide professional bartenders, mixers, and ice. You're welcome to provide your own alcohol to save on costs, or we can coordinate a full-service bar package. We'll discuss during your consultation.

This is our specialty. With our mobile equipment, we can turn a Santa Cruz mountain clearing, a Silicon Valley rooftop, or a historic park (like History Park, where we served 230 guests) into a fully functioning kitchen. If there's a surface to work on, we can build a kitchen there.

Whether it's San Francisco fog or a sudden San Jose heatwave, we coordinate with you and your venue in advance to ensure we have the right kitchen tenting or cooling in place — keeping food at perfect temperature regardless of conditions.

Yes. We are a full-service caterer. We can manage the sourcing, delivery, and setup of everything from standard linens to specialty crystal, serving equipment, and more. Everything will be clearly itemized in your quote.

Unlike a tip, the service charge covers the "unseen" labor — site visits, administrative coordination, packing, dishwashing, and the logistical heavy lifting that makes your event seamless. It's clearly outlined in every proposal.

Gratuity is not included in our proposals. While it is never expected, it is always appreciated by our hardworking service team if you feel they exceeded your expectations.

Yes — minimums vary based on the day of the week and the season. This ensures we can dedicate our full resources and staff to giving your wedding the attention it deserves. We'll confirm your minimum during your initial consultation.

Yes. Handheld Catering carries comprehensive Hartford business insurance including General Liability ($1M/$2M), Auto ($1M), Umbrella ($4M), Workers' Compensation ($1M), and Liquor Liability ($1M/$2M). We hold an active Santa Clara County Health Permit and HACCP Food Safety Certification. Certificate of insurance available upon request. View all credentials →