What to Ask a Sunshine Coast Wedding Caterer
If you’re planning a Sunshine Coast wedding and food is high on your priority list, you’re in the right place. Choosing the right wedding caterer can make or break the feel of your day, not just in how the food tastes, but in how smoothly everything flows and how your guests feel.
This guide is designed to help engaged couples understand what to ask a Sunshine Coast wedding caterer before booking. From food style and dietary requirements to timing, logistics and communication, these are the questions that truly matter and are often overlooked.
I’ve pulled this advice together from years of photographing weddings across the Sunshine Coast and from a recent conversation with Jilly Wallace from Good 2 Eat Catering, one of the region’s most experienced and well-loved wedding caterers. We covered all of this in Episode 14 of my Pop The Question podcast, and I’ve expanded on it here so you can use this post as a practical planning resource, even if you’ve never listened to the podcast.
Quick Guide: What to Ask a Sunshine Coast Wedding Caterer
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick snapshot of what this guide covers for couples planning a Sunshine Coast wedding:
How to choose the right style of wedding catering for your venue and guest list
What to ask about stand-up canapés vs sit-down or shared feasting meals
Important venue logistics couples often forget to discuss with caterers
How experienced caterers manage dietary requirements safely and smoothly
Why timing, communication and a clear point person matter on the wedding day
What’s included in catering packages and what to never assume
This guide is written for couples planning weddings on the Sunshine Coast, especially backyard weddings, farm weddings, marquee weddings and non all-inclusive venues.
Meet Jilly from Good 2 Eat Catering
Good 2 Eat Catering is run by Jilly and her husband Simon, an incredibly talented chef with years of experience working with some of Australia’s best culinary minds. After running a restaurant and realising their true passion was events, they made the move into full-scale catering, with one big difference.
Everything is cooked fresh on site.
No food sitting in hot boxes. No soggy edges. No overcooked meals. Just beautifully prepared food, made where your wedding is happening, so it arrives at your guests exactly as it should.
Last year alone, their team catered over 450 full-service events, which means they truly know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to feeding a crowd and keeping a wedding flowing smoothly.
The First Thing to Ask Your Wedding Caterer
Before you even talk menus, the very first question should be:
“Are you available on our date?”
Good wedding caterers book out quickly, especially for Saturdays on the Sunshine Coast. Locking in your date early gives you more options and way less stress.
Once the date is confirmed, everything else can be shaped around it.
Sit-Down Dinner or Stand-Up Canapés?
One of the biggest decisions couples need to make is the style of food service. And it’s something many couples haven’t really thought through when they first start enquiring.
Ask your caterer:
Do you recommend a sit-down or stand-up style for our guest numbers and venue?
How will this choice affect the flow of the day?
A stand-up canapé wedding can feel relaxed, social and fun, but only if it’s done properly. A good caterer will include substantial canapés around meal times so guests feel satisfied, not hungry and stalking the wait staff.
For something a little more formal but still relaxed, shared feasting tables are a beautiful middle ground. Guests choose what they love, go back for seconds and it creates a warm, connected atmosphere.
Venue Logistics Couples Often Forget
This is the not-so-glamorous side of wedding planning, but it’s absolutely essential.
Things to ask your caterer about your venue:
Is there enough space for prep and cooking?
Where will staff park?
Do you need access to power and water?
Will generators be required?
How many staff will be on site?
These details are especially important for backyard weddings, farm weddings and private properties on the Sunshine Coast. A professional caterer will raise these questions early and help you plan around them.
Dietary Requirements Matter More Than You Think
Every wedding has dietary requirements. Gluten free, vegan, allergies, coeliac and everything in between.
The question isn’t if your caterer can handle dietaries, it’s how they handle them.
Ask:
How are dietary meals prepared?
How will guests be identified on the day?
Who ensures dietary guests are served safely?
One of Jilly’s best tips is having the MC announce early in the event for guests with dietary needs to identify themselves to catering staff. This instantly puts guests at ease and ensures no one is left wondering if they’ll be fed.
As a photographer, I see how much this matters to guests. When people feel cared for, the whole vibe of the wedding lifts.
Timing, Communication and Why You Need a Point Person
Food, speeches and photos are deeply connected.
Golden hour waits for no one, and food needs to be served at the right moment to avoid overcooking. This is why clear communication on the day is crucial.
Your caterer should have a point of contact who is not you.
Ideally this is:
An MC
A wedding planner or coordinator
A trusted family member or friend
Someone who can make small decisions, communicate delays and keep everything running smoothly so you can stay present and enjoy your day.
Plates, Cutlery and the Never Assume Rule
This is one of those questions couples don’t think to ask.
“Do you supply plates, cutlery, glassware and serviettes?”
Some caterers include them, others don’t, and sometimes couples want a specific style hired separately. A great caterer will walk you through this and have a checklist to make sure nothing is missed.
Trust me, you don’t want to realise this one too late.
Jilly’s Top Tips for Couples Booking a Wedding Caterer
Here are the biggest takeaways from our chat that every engaged couple should keep in mind.
1. Book your key suppliers early
The best caterers and venues fill fast, especially on the Sunshine Coast.
2. Choose a food style that matches your vibe
Relaxed, formal or somewhere in between. Your food service sets the tone for the whole celebration.
3. Know who’s running the show on the day
Clear leadership means calm energy and smooth service.
4. Plan timing around food and photos
When this is mapped properly, the day feels effortless.
5. Don’t forget supplier meals
Feeding your photographer, videographer and band keeps them energised and doing their best work.
6. Be upfront about dietary needs
The earlier your caterer knows, the better the experience for your guests.
7. Trust the experts you hire
You chose them for a reason. Let them guide you.
8. Take a moment just for the two of you
Those quiet moments together often become couples’ favourite memories.
Why This Matters (From a Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer’s Perspective)
As a Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, I see firsthand how food, timing and energy affect the entire day. When catering is organised, calm and well-communicated, couples are relaxed, guests are happy and the celebration flows beautifully.
Working with experienced Sunshine Coast wedding caterers like Good 2 Eat Catering makes a real difference, not just to the meal, but to the entire wedding experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Catering on the Sunshine Coast
When should we book our wedding caterer on the Sunshine Coast?
Ideally as soon as you have your date locked in. Popular Sunshine Coast wedding caterers can book out 12 months or more in advance, especially for Saturdays and peak seasons.
Is cocktail style or sit-down catering better for a wedding?
Neither is better, it really comes down to the vibe you want. Cocktail-style weddings feel relaxed and social, while sit-down or shared feasting creates a more traditional structure. A great caterer will help you choose what suits your venue, guest list and timeline.
Will a wedding caterer handle dietary requirements?
Yes, but it’s important to ask how they manage them. Experienced caterers will have clear systems in place to safely prepare and serve dietary meals so guests feel confident and cared for.
Do wedding caterers supply plates, cutlery and glassware?
Some do and some don’t. Always ask what’s included and whether you’ll need to hire items separately, especially if you’re after a particular look or colour scheme.
Who should be the point of contact for the caterer on the wedding day?
This should never be the couple. An MC, wedding planner or trusted family member works best so communication stays clear and stress-free.
Do we need to feed our wedding suppliers?
Yes. Feeding your photographer, videographer and musicians keeps them energised and able to give you their best work throughout the day and night.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to the full episode featuring Jilly Wallace right here👉What to Ask Your Sunshine Coast Wedding Caterer with Jilly from Good2Eat
You can listen to Episode 14 and all of Pop The Question podcasts now on Spotify and YouTube.
Planning a Sunshine Coast Wedding?
Choosing the right wedding caterer has a huge impact on how your day feels, from guest experience to timing and overall vibe. With the insights shared here by Jilly from Good 2 Eat Catering, you’ll feel confident asking the right questions, trusting the experts you hire and creating a wedding day that runs smoothly, feels effortless and is genuinely enjoyable for everyone involved.
You can find Good2Eat Catering here:
Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @good2eatcatering
Website: www.good2eatcatering.com
And, if you’re planning a Sunshine Coast wedding and want relaxed, heartfelt photography alongside a team of trusted local suppliers who truly understand how weddings flow, I’d love to chat. I work closely with experienced caterers, venues and vendors across the Coast and help my couples feel calm, prepared and well supported from start to finish.
📷You can view my packages here - Wedding Photography Packages
🎧 Want more wedding wisdom? See all Pop the Question episodes here
📘 Download my FREE Sunshine Coast Wedding Planning Guide - it’s full of local tips and insider advice to help you plan with confidence.
👍 Keep up with Pop The Question & me, Lou O’Brien – Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer:
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Full show notes - https://www.imagesbylouobrien.com/pop-the-question
Episode Transcript
Lou (00:31)
Today on Pop the Question, I'm chatting with the lovely Jilly from Good to Eat. Jilly is the co-owner of Good to Eat along with her husband, Simon, who happens to be an amazing chef. So I have crossed paths with Jilly and her team so many times on Sunshine Coast weddings over the years. And every single time I walk into a reception that they catering, I know it's gonna be a great night. So yes, their food is absolutely delicious.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (00:34)
Yeah.
Lou (00:59)
and it's beautifully presented. But what really stands out to me is the service. Her team are always happy, calm, and genuinely positive. And that energy just makes such a difference to the feel of a wedding day. So today, Jilly will be sharing loads of insider wisdom to help couples feel calmer, more prepared, and less stressed when it comes to food and the flow of the day.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (01:22)
you
Lou (01:26)
So if you care about good vibes, happy guests, and a wedding that just works, you're gonna love this chat. So hi, Jilly, how are you today?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (01:35)
I'm going to the toilet
today. Hey Lulu, how you going? I'm doing really well, thank you.
Lou (01:41)
That's good. We've got Kiki to say hello. Say hi Kiki. You've got an office dog as well. ⁓
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (01:45)
hello Kiki. We do,
we have Rusty, he's in our branding colors, he's actually a chocolate Labrador. Yeah, so we're just gonna show you down here, he's wagging the tail for you, can you see him?
Lou (01:56)
Of course chocolate.
No, ⁓ there he is. ⁓ just, he's got, I love that. what a sweetie.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (02:09)
Yes.
Yeah. So yeah, I he stays in the office.
Lou (02:13)
⁓ fantastic.
Yes, at your feet.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (02:18)
He's now gone on to his bed. So he's... I don't know.
Lou (02:22)
⁓ okay.
There
he is. What a sweetie. I love that. And a chocolate lab. Perfect. Now, Jilly, for our listeners out there that haven't heard of Good to Eat and about you guys, can you just tell us a little bit about yourself?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (02:29)
He is. He is, yes.
Yeah, absolutely. So, at Good 2 Eat started basically, Simon worked in many hotels around the cruise ships where we met. So, we say we met on the love boat. And then, that's right, a little bit cliche there. And then, he traveled around the world and he has worked with some exceptional chefs, like some of the best chefs I think in Australia is actually
Lou (02:55)
you
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (03:06)
used to do some digger stations where they used to get together once a month and talk about new trends coming in the food and different cuts of meats that they used. People maybe not know of the meats but how they're now preparing them, how they're cooking them, how they're doing things different. And then we came to the Sunshine Coast and we started a restaurant called Benchmark.
Lou (03:25)
That's interesting.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (03:32)
And then from there, Simon's passion was catering. So we did have a little bit of catering coming from out of there, but it was coming out of the kitchen into hot boxes. And we weren't truly happy with the end result. And that's when we closed the restaurant and started Good 2 Eat and actually preparing and making all the food fresh on site, which just gives you a much better product.
Lou (03:55)
Yes, absolutely. That's what I always know whenever I go to weddings, you guys have either your van or a tent or something set up and you're all cooking it there on site, which is, yeah, pretty amazing.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (04:05)
Absolutely.
Yeah, so there's no food delivered hot and then dropped where it can start to fall apart or get overcooked in the hot boxes. It's all made fresh on site. Absolutely.
Lou (04:18)
Yeah, great points. Awesome. Okay, well this kind of leads us on to what we're going to be talking about today. So, ⁓ lots of couples out there might be looking at having catering come to their wedding if it's not an all-inclusive venue. So, what are some tips that you can give our couples to ask caterers that are probably things that they wouldn't think of?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (04:39)
Yeah, absolutely. So Lulu, I would start thinking about the style of food. A lot of people we get is they don't know what style of food they'd like. So first probably think about do you want a stand up event or a sit down event? That will give your a caterer good idea of what packages they think would be good for you. ⁓
Lou (05:01)
So with this standup in a sit down event, like sometimes people might think with a standup event, there's not enough food. Sometimes people are stalking the waiter coming out or whatever. Like how do they know that there's gonna be enough food with a standup event?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (05:01)
Yes!
this is when so you this is a good caterer should know is exactly what works at events so you can do like a networking canapes and that's great for people you don't want to fill up you're just giving them some food and an experience but if you're doing something around meal times a good caterer should know you're going to need some substantial canapes in there to fill people up because we've
Last year I think we did 450 full service events and with that you actually really find out what works. So over the years you just become an expert.
Lou (05:48)
my gosh!
Yeah, amazing. That's, wow, 401. How many events was that you were saying?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (06:01)
It was over 450 full service events we did last year.
Lou (06:06)
That's incredible. Wow. Yeah, that kind of shows how big your team is to be able to do that.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (06:07)
Yeah
Yeah,
yeah, yeah, we've got quite a big team, but we source our team from everywhere. We've even offered them accommodation. We really do source like the best of the best to come and help us. So, yeah, it's good.
Lou (06:13)
Yep.
Fantastic. OK, let's get on to your next point. And what would that be?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (06:30)
Also the next point then would probably we need to know the size of the venue So you need to think about staff parking how many wait staff and chefs gonna be there? Do they need parking? You probably need to look at where the vehicles are gonna be parked Do you have power and water if you don't does your patrons bring that with them? Do they have? ideas like generators Do they have?
Can the staff maybe share a few vehicles to get there so not everybody's pulling up in one car? So that space is really important.
Lou (07:02)
Yeah, that's definitely something I think a lot of couples probably wouldn't think about. That's kind of like the not so fun information, but it's so important and vital for them to... Absolutely.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (07:14)
important.
Yeah absolutely.
So and then I would probably go on to dietaries. So everybody knows now that everybody you'll find in a group of people there's dietaries and every caterer will probably say yes I need to look after them but how are you going to look after them? So once them dietaries are there if it's a sit down do we have a seat number? Do we know where they're going to be sat?
Do we know how we're gonna get that food? Is there MC for a stand-up event? Are they gonna say to the guests, can you please go speak, your hand up to the caterer and let them know you have a dietary? How are we gonna find them people to make sure that they get looked after just as well as everyone else?
Lou (07:57)
Yes, yeah, because every guest is important and that's definitely one thing like if you do have a dietary requirement you don't want to have to you know wonder if you're going to be fed or not at a wedding. So that's a great point having the MC ask the guests to put their hand up and go see catering. That's kind of a great way of getting that done at the very beginning at a cocktail party so that
⁓ They're not left standing, waiting and wondering.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (08:26)
Yes, that's right. That's right and everybody who's got dieteries they're always worried if they're gonna have something to eat So on their mind have I been catered for properly am I a celiac or gluten-free? Is it being prepped in a different area to the other food? So they've always you know because they want to stay well and healthy and enjoy the event as well
Lou (08:46)
Yes, true. No one wants a sick guest on your wedding day.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (08:49)
No, that's right. I find the diet is really important and also the timing of the food. So, you know, when's that food going to come out? So making sure if the speeches, if they've gone on a bit later, is that okay? Have we got a contact person who we can communicate with saying, maybe we're going to be a 10 minutes late or something, the speaker's speeches a little bit longer. And that's absolutely fine. As long as
Lou (08:50)
And,
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (09:17)
anything's been communicated properly.
Lou (09:18)
Yes, I think as a wedding photographer, one thing that I always say to my couples when we're a timeline is I can't change mother nature. So the sun is going to set when the sun sets. And if a chef tells me that the food's going to be served at this time, I'm to make sure that you're there on time for the food to be served. Because if they've got, even if it's 30, but 50, 80, 120 guests, if you have food waiting, it's not ideal.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (09:46)
The only thing with food if it's overcooked you're not going to get the best product. So we're very good at trying to get that best product out. So as long as that we've got a hand in the know just before so that contact person that should not be you definitely shouldn't be a bride. ⁓ Definitely needs to be either an expert that like an event planner that you maybe have, a family member if you don't.
Lou (09:55)
Absolutely.
No.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (10:14)
It needs to be that extra person and they need to be known on that contact sheet so that we can go up to them and they can speak to us. It's all going smooth, it's all going well because we're having that clear communication.
Lou (10:29)
Yes, I always say one of the most important people at a wedding reception is an MC. And I have a lot of couples push back because they're like, I don't want an MC. It's too formal. And I said, don't think of an MC as someone who's formal. Think of them as your go-to person. So for a backyard wedding, you may not have a wedding planner or a coordinator. And as you said, you don't want the bride or the groom or even the parents to have to be the point person.
If you have an MC, they are just making sure that everything runs smoothly. So they can be the person who talks to the caterer. They can be the person who, you know, announces speeches if you have it, or they can even be the person if you don't have a musician. They can be playing your Spotify playlist. So having someone as a point person, like an MC, especially to help with the caterers and be that person who can say to you, you know,
as the caterers can liaise with the MC and go, well, how about we serve the food now? And do you want to hold off on those speeches or vice versa? What do you think?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (11:34)
Totally agree, Lulu. I just think that having an MC makes such a difference on that day. For us, working with an MC as a caterer, being able to talk to an MC, I agree. I think there's so much value in an MC. Yeah.
Lou (11:35)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Cool. Have you got any more tips for us, Jilly?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (11:51)
I would say that another tip maybe just check that all plates and cutlery is inclusive or if they need to hire them separate. I think it's a good one to always check in. ⁓
Lou (12:05)
That's
a never assume question, isn't it? Never assume that your caterer is gonna have that. Yeah, wouldn't actually that, I would probably be, you know, someone who might assume that. such a good point. That's actually a rockstar tip there, I think. Imagine having everyone turn up and you got the food come and there's no serviettes, plates, cutlery, that would be a nightmare.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (12:09)
Ladies!
That's correct.
If you've got a good caterer, they will bring it up. you know, every good caterer would actually say to you, have you got somebody you're hiring your plates from because you want a particular color, a different style, or would you like us to bring some? Some packages include it. So we could say this is our, this is what we include. But once you start speaking, we have a girl that does all them checklists for you.
Lou (12:34)
Yes.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (12:56)
and they might say no we wanted this style or we want this we don't need your plates or cutlery so a good caterer will find out they know the correct questions to us.
Lou (13:07)
Yes, very, very good point. I love that getting the right caterer will actually have a checklist for you to be able to go through. Fantastic. Okay. Well, what we're going to do, Jilly we're going to head off onto our next part of our podcast, which is pop the question, our little mystery themed wedding question. So this is where I'm going to pull a question out the back of my camera. I don't know what it is.
You don't know what it is yet. It's gonna, it's in there. Can you see them there?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (13:36)
my goodness
Lou (13:37)
Okay, let's see what we're going to come up with today. this could be a good one. Have you ever seen a wardrobe malfunction?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (13:48)
seen a wardrobe malfunction? I don't think I really have. We've had like weddings where it's absolutely poured down with rain and what they've done they've got their prepared for it and they've got their gumboots on, the say like they've got and their bridal party's got the gumboots on, they've got the umbrellas to match and it looks absolutely amazing. It's so much fun. I think one of the
Lou (14:02)
Aha.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (14:14)
earlier days when we was catering we did have an auntie actually bring us the wedding cake to slice and she'd had a little bit too much to maybe a few many wines and was on a paddock and she tripped over with the wedding cake. So yes, no and ever since that day we went
Lou (14:26)
Yeah.
⁓ no, you're kidding me.
Uhhh...
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (14:38)
We will not allow a family member to carry the cake. This has to be one of our staff members need to carry that cake to get it to the place. Yes.
Lou (14:48)
Yeah, my gosh, I hope someone caught that on camera. That would have been hilarious.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (14:53)
No, we didn't and I don't know, I think we were able to save half the cake but it was one of those moments of holy moly.
Lou (15:05)
What a great story to tell your grandkids about in years to come.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (15:09)
Yeah, yeah.
Lou (15:11)
Oh cool. Okay. Well, thank you so much, Jilly. Now, before we go, I always like to let our couples know a couple of great tips to take away with them. So if someone was calling a caterer tomorrow to book for their wedding, what are some top tips to tell them?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (15:29)
it's a good one. So obviously we've talked about some just now. I would say one of my top tips if you was calling a caterer was first check the date. It's the most important because all caterers get booked up and they can get booked up a year in advance. And I think that's probably for most vendors. And it depends how many then vendors can take on. So get that date, check that.
Lou (15:34)
Yes.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (15:55)
first before you go into any conversation. And then maybe after you've got the date and they say that's okay, you probably need to check on that venue and how that all works. But yeah, check the date first.
Lou (16:09)
Yep, awesome. That sounds good. And I love what you talking about earlier too. A good caterer will have a checklist for the couples. So if you're on a call with a caterer, ask them if they've got the checklist for you, I think, because there's so many things to consider.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (16:26)
Yeah, I love that Lulu. I really do because we have a checklist we can send them so they'll know in advance everything that we need to know. And with us at Good 2 Eat you can book the date and pay a 30 % deposit and lock that date in. But you don't need to choose a style of food yet. We don't need confirmed numbers yet. We don't need all them dieteries or all that information.
to, you know, this is much closer to your wedding date that these details will need to be met. And if you change venue, we'll just need to know if that venue's changed.
Lou (17:01)
Yeah, awesome. That sounds great. Well, so people can find you on the socials and so on. Could you just let us know where they can go?
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (17:09)
Yeah absolutely so you can go to our website or Instagram, Twitter, Facebook we're on all the main ones and if you just put in good 2 eat catering and it's a number two so good number 2 eat catering.com that will take you to all of them.
Lou (17:27)
wonderful. Okay, well thank you so much for joining us today. I've really enjoyed catching up with you and seeing you for a nice chat rather than both of us working at a wedding. And for everyone who would like to get more details with Jilly and Good 2 Eat, you can find it on my website, which is imagesbylouobrien.com/pop_the_question You'll find all the show notes and all of Jilly's details there.
So thanks again, Jilly. Kiki's gonna say bye. Bye. Okay, bye.
Jilly wallace Good 2 Eat Catering (18:00)
Bye bye, see you soon Lulu. Great to chat. Bye.
Pop The Question podcast is brought to you by Sunshine Coast Wedding Collective and hosted by Lou O’Brien, Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer. Podcast link - What to Ask Your Sunshine Coast Wedding Caterer with Jilly from Good2Eat