Wait until your RSVPs come in before making final menu arrangements. You don't want to order food for 100 people and find out only 50 are going to show. But do book caterers for the date of your party well in advance. If you wait a few days before the party, you run the risk they won't be able to handle the order. Calling a caterer a few weeks ahead of time is ideal for most parties, but weddings require several months advanced notice because of the magnitude of the job and the fact that it's probably going to be on a Saturday - the most popular day of the week for parties.
Few people have time to do everything by themselves for a party.
You might choose to prepare some foods yourself and order other dishes from a caterer to pick up or have delivered. Or, you might need a full-service caterer to plan the party with you and do pretty much everything including preparing the food, serving the food and setting up tables, tents and decorations. A full-service caterer can also rent out portable restrooms, lights, air conditioners, heaters, a bar, full bar service and valet service. Garvens said they handle corporate and social parties for groups of 50 to 2,500 people. Decide what you're going to do with the guests.