Early Katering Company

09/09/2025

✨ Daily Dose: Planning Ahead – Guest Count & Budget

The #1 thing that drives your wedding budget? Guest count.

When you start planning, it’s easy to dream big, but every extra guest adds to your catering, bar, and rental costs. Guest count doesn’t just shape your budget, it shapes your entire event.

Here’s a simple way to trim the list without the stress:
• A List: The non-negotiables, close family, best friends, people you can’t imagine your day without.
• B List: Extended family, old friends, colleagues, people you’d love to have, but not essential.
• C List: Nice-to-haves, neighbors, acquaintances, “plus-ones” you don’t know well.

💡 Tip: Start by sending invitations to your A List. As you receive RSVPs, you can add B and even C List guests if space and budget allow.

This strategy keeps your headcount (and your budget!) in check, while still letting you include more people if things open up.

At Early Katering Company, we believe education is just as important as ex*****on. The more you understand how guest count drives cost, the more confident you’ll feel in building a plan that works for you.

Engaged couples, are you building your guest list now? Would an A/B/C List worksheet be helpful?

📸:Sharon Morris Photography
Venue: Swannanoa Palace, Nelson County, Virginia
Couple: Mikayla & Codi Funkhouser, 2020
Planner: Grace Wimer

09/06/2025

✨Behind the Scenes:

Behind the scenes today: getting ready for the week ahead… 🍞

Not every part of catering is glamorous, it’s a lot of prep, planning, and long hours in the kitchen before an event ever begins.

Today, that means trays (and trays!) of fresh dinner rolls. 🥖 These little details may seem small, but they matter, because every roll, every side dish, every bite is part of the bigger picture that makes your event seamless and memorable.

This is the part of catering most people never see: the quiet prep before the celebration. And honestly? It’s where the magic starts. 💛

Curious: when you sit down to a meal, what’s the first thing you reach for, the bread basket, the main dish, or dessert?

09/02/2025

✨ Daily Dose: The Secret to Stress-Free Planning (Book These First!)

Just said YES? 💍 Here’s what to do next…

When couples first get engaged, the planning checklist can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: the first two vendors you should secure are your venue and your caterer, and here’s why:

1️⃣ The Venue Sets the Stage

Your venue determines your date, guest count, and overall style. Without it, nothing else—florals, rentals, menus, can truly be planned.

2️⃣ The Caterer Anchors Your Budget

Food and beverage are one of the largest portions of your wedding budget—but here’s something many couples don’t realize: not all caterers lock in your pricing when you book.

Some leave pricing “subject to change” until closer to your wedding, which means rising food and rental costs can surprise you later.

💡 Tip: When shopping for caterers, always ask: “Do you lock in pricing when I sign, or is it subject to change?”
It’s a simple question that can save you stress and help you compare proposals more fairly.

Booking early with a caterer who secures current pricing gives you peace of mind and a clear roadmap for the rest of your planning.

3️⃣ Timing is Everything

We recommend booking your venue and caterer at least 12 months out (and ideally as soon as you choose your date). Waiting until 6 months before can mean higher costs and fewer options, since prime dates in the Valley go fast.

4️⃣ Everything Else Falls Into Place

Once your venue and caterer are set, you can build the rest of your team: photographers, florists, DJs, knowing your date, style, and budget are already anchored.

At Early Katering Company, we don’t just provide food, we educate and guide you through the process, just like a planner would. Booking early means less stress and more confidence as you move forward.

Engaged couples, have you started your venue or catering search yet? Tell us where you are in your planning journey 👇.

09/01/2025

We’ve been quiet for a while…but we’re back, and have exciting things to share!

Early Katering Company has been serving weddings and events for years, thanks to the incredible vision and heart of its founder, Kay Early. Kay built a business rooted in comfort, class, and genuine care for every client. I first met Kay as a bride myself, and I’ll never forget the first time I met her. I knew right then that I wanted to be her one day!

In 2024, Kay passed the torch on to me and my husband, and I am honored to continue the work she began. Over the past year, my team and I have carried her legacy forward, while adding fresh energy, new menus, and a client experience designed to keep your day seamless and stress-free 💛

This September, we’re starting something new: our Daily Dose series. Think of it as a peek behind the curtain of catering life, filled with tips, education, and behind-the-scenes stories.

🍴Honest talk about wedding budgets & planning
💡Tips to make your event run smoothly
🎉 Celebrate the amazing couples and clients we serve.

We’re here not only to provide food, but to share the same knowledge and guidance you’d expect from a wedding planner. From budgets to timelines, service flows to setup, we educate and walk beside you so your event feels effortless and you can stay present in the celebration.

If you’re planning a wedding or event, we’d love for you to follow along and be apart of the EKC Family

Happy planning and Best wishes!
Grace & Barry Wimer

Earlykatering.com
540-801-8139 work
540-607-1006 direct

12/15/2020

Delicious Home Cooked Entrees, Sides, Breads, & Desserts

12/15/2020

11/26/2020

Happy Thanksgiving for our family to yours

11/13/2020

It's Friday. Come on out for some delicious food. Menu for the day will be Beef Brisket, BBQ Pulled Pork, and Bourbon Bacon Chicken. Sides are Potatoes Royale, Mac & Cheese, Country Style Green Beans, Calico Beans, Homemade Slaw, Broccoli Salad, Black Eyed Pea Salad. And don't forget the dessert. Rocktown Terrace located at 2061F Evelyn Byrd Ave next to Muddy Feet.

11/04/2020

With us having a heat wave on Friday we will be back outside this week. Menu with be BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, and Hamburger Steak with Gravy. Sides will be Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, and Broccoli Salad. Come on out and get lunch or dinner. 2061F Evelyn Byrd Ave next to Muddy Feet.

10/30/2020

With the cold weather moving in, we decided to do something different this week. We will be serving home style dinners today instead of bbq. Plates will include meat and two sides. Menu is Southern Fried Chicken, Meatloaf, or Beef Brisket with Cognac Onion Sauce. Sides to choose from are mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and green beans. We will alsonhave soup for the ones that want something light. We look forward to seeing everyone. Look for the tent at 2061F Evelyn Byrd Ave. Rocktown Terrace next to Muddy Feet Graphics.

10/23/2020

Come on out for some tasty BBQ today at Rocktown Terrace. 2061F Evelyn Byrd Ave next to Muddy Feet Graphics. We will be having Brisket, Pork Bbq, and chicken. Along with some delicious sides and desserts. We will also still have the multi-family yard sale going on inside the building. Hope to see everyone

10/21/2020

We are having a multi-family yard sale inside the Terrace at Rocktown today through Friday. Everything must go. And don't forget about the tasty BBQ on Friday. 2061F Evelyn Byrd Ave