how much would you expect to pay?...

Depends on how fancy the venue is, I guess. Ours quotes the evening buffet of olives, nuts, cheese straws, and sausage rolls for £5.95 a head, and it's a pretty fancy place. So I would guess somewhere around there?

Maybe £5 or £6 per head? My thoughts might be skewed though as my venue food is very reasonable.

The venue is a pretty hotel...nothing too expensive but nicer than your average hotel and in the north west! thanks for the answer x

For such a small range of cold foods and no cheese I wouldn't want to pay more than £4-£5 per head...

come on then tell us what she asked for?!

Well i would have thought that £5-£6 was reasonable but because its a wedding they might push it to around £8...how wrong was i!! £12 a head for pate crackers and bread....ridiculous?? x

Very! it might be worth checking whether this i sbecause they have a minimum spend per head or something, so whatever you have will be £12 or more? (in which case you would be better with them also providing the cheese).

Althohgh a cheesecake is great, a friend had one and was a good centrepiece as well as good cheese!

Unless there is a min spend, I'd supply the lot myself along with the cheesecake. Many cheesecakes from suppliers already come with grapes & accompaniments anyway! Just tell the venue you didnt know the cake supplier already provided these (even if you have to go without the pate).

I dont know about in Manchester, but the meat markets in London have a deli shop that sells bulk pate (by the kilo & half kilo), I'd buy packets of cheese biscuits & get some nice chutneys to go with the cheese. Get a relative to buy fresh bread rolls on the day, grapes & celery. I can't belive that would be £12 per head. Check though whether they charge £12 /head for the use of their plates if you supply all the rest!!

There isn't a minimum spend as the bread and crackers is £10 with an extra £2 added on if we want pate! so to me it doesn't make sense!! £10 for bread, crackers, celery and grapes.......x

That's pretty steep for a cold buffet. Our venue charges around £10 a head but that's for bacon rolls, sausage rolls, mini pizzas, tea and coffee, all of which require cooking and serving properly.

If they're letting you bring your own cheese ask if you can bring your own crackers, or else haggle them down on price. If they don't budge you could give crackers as favours

I have written a draft email so im going to send them that when we are ready to book and hopefully fingers crossed they will reduce it!! surely they can't justify that cost! grrr its the 'W word!!' x

Thats very expensive let us know how you get on x

Eek! I'd tell them very poiltely to reduce the price or you will happily provide the food yourself

Sorry but that's just silly money for bread and crackers! We are having hot beef, bacon or goats cheese and red pepper baguettes for £4.95 per person with salads. Our venue is a barn so very informal but the food is fantastic which is one of the reasons we chose it. Hope you get something sorted.

Just to add that my cousin had a cheese cake though and it was fantastic and enjoyed by all at the evening reception.