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Beginner June 2022 West London

Incredibly expensive "exclusive caterers" £30,000!!!

Malaz, 2 March, 2022 at 22:01 Posted on Planning 1 10

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Hello there

We are currently planning our wedding for June 4th 2022. Our venue is a heritage site which has already blown the budget quite a bit but we loved it.
Our family have gone a bit mad and bumped up our guestlist to around 200.
Unfortunately as they are a heritage site the venue advise they can only work with one caterer, I called them today and they quoted £150 + VAT per person!! That's over £30,000 just on catering which is insane. The quote was for 2 courses, 3-4 canapes and non alcoholic drinks.
It's worth noting we were talking to the venue last year and they offered a list of caterers they could work with, however they have now changed management and apparently changed their policy.
I contact the previously listed caterers today and they quoted around £16,000 total. The venue have our name down for the date but we have not signed contracts or payed as they are still organising legal paperwork.
Does anyone have any advice regarding bypassing "exclusive/accredited" caterer, or cutting costs down. I cannot believe they feel it reasonable we pay £30,000 on catering!
Do we have any leverage? Any advice much appreciated!!

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Latest activity by Nathalie, 4 March, 2022 at 15:04

Dedicated June 2022 Bristol
Jane · 3 March, 2022 at 10:51
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Ouch! That’s a crazy price. Can you have a chat with the venue and explain how you based your choice to go there on the list of caterers they previously offered? If you are prepared to lose the venue then I’d say tell them you simply can’t afford £150 + vat per person so you’ll have no option but to go elsewhere. As I see it, your only leverage is to take your business elsewhere - if they insist you use their caterer and there is no negotiation on price with that caterer then I’m not sure what else you can do. I wouldn’t sign any contract/pay anything to the venue until you’ve bottomed this out! Good luck
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Genius July 2020 Monmouthshire
RomanticGreenStationery27135 · 3 March, 2022 at 12:25
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That is an insane amount of money for one meal!
I would point out to them that you picked the venue based on having a range of options for catering - if they will not allow you to use one of the caterers on the previous list, then you are ending your booking.
This sounds like a total rip-off.
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Dedicated May 2022 Somerset
Nathalie · 3 March, 2022 at 15:59
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Tell them you’re kosher 😆 (assuming that the caterer isn’t a kosher caterer, that is!)

But yes, that’s expensive, esp if it doesn’t include alcohol. We’re also getting married at a heritage site and they have exclusive caterers, however even the most expensive package (canapés, reception champagne, 4 course meal and wine) is just over £100 per head incl VAT. If they are exclusive and the contract absolutely stipulates that, then I agree with the above, you will need to tell them you’re taking your business elsewhere, as you booked on the basis of having choice and that has now changed. I don’t know if you’ve signed anything formally with the venue, but if you did and the contract explicitly stated a different type of catering/caterer then you may grounds to tell them that’s a breach - I’m not a lawyer though so I don’t know for sure!
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VIP April 2022 Wiltshire
Charlotte · 3 March, 2022 at 16:33
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I work in contract law and unless they have given you notice of changes to your contract they are in breach and you have a case for legal frustration, but in this case you have not signed anything so as hard as it is to swallow, your previous conversations will stand ne legal bearing in contestation cases as nothing was commited. It would be interesting to see if they have changed their advertising to state is a sole supply agreement as if not then you could have a case for miss representation, especially if you have official quotes that show the terms as you discussed. My venue tried to change our all in package from what was quoted but as their website was still showing the old pricing I vaguly threatend them with Trading Standards ans miss representation and I was lucky they agreed to hold the price we had been quoted, as it also stated valid for 28 days and we were in that timescale. That said, wording and disclaimer factors would come in to play so without seeing what you have been given I cant promise that this may work in terms of a challenge.
Your only real option is to negotiate with them. explain that whilst you understand their right to change the catering to an exclusive supplier your discussions were alwoasy on the basis of having options to choose and therefore would they be willing to allow you to use one of their previously approved suppliers as your date is fairly close so it may be possivble. The options are 1) they agree! 2) you need to change the venue 3) you cot the guest list 4) you find the money. It is very unfortunate and I am sorry you are having to deal with this decision. if you want to message me I would be happy to look ver the docs you have and try and help form a basis for your conversation with them
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Beginner June 2022 West London
Malaz · 3 March, 2022 at 17:31
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sorry replied twice
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Beginner June 2022 West London
Malaz · 3 March, 2022 at 17:32
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Thank you for your Support Jane! The event manager was off sick today but I will try and negotiate tomorrow. Thank you again!
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Beginner June 2022 West London
Malaz · 3 March, 2022 at 17:52
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Hi Charlotte,
Thank you so much you've been so incredibly helpful and kind! I would love some help drafting my response, I'll send you a message. Thank you so much again!
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VIP April 2022 Wiltshire
Charlotte · 3 March, 2022 at 17:57
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No problems, I am away on my Hen weekend from tomorrow but can have a look on monday. let me know of any wording in docs or emails and send me a timeline of events and can go from there x
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Beginner June 2022 West London
Malaz · 4 March, 2022 at 14:56
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Hello Nathalie,
Thank you for you help.
Honestly that's a great idea, one of the caterers they'd previously listed were kosher!
Can I ask what was the "mid-range price of your "exclusive caterers". eg canapes + 2-3 courses? Also which region is your venue?
Thank you for your help again!
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Dedicated May 2022 Somerset
Nathalie · 4 March, 2022 at 15:04
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Tbh kosher caterers are more expensive (as far as I understand- I’m not Jewish, but my fiancé is, so been to many Jewish weddings) so it was more light heated, but if they’re cheaper then who knows!

We’re getting married in Bath, if I remember correctly the mid range offer was c.£90ph, that had one less course for the dinner and slightly less “premium” canapés, and Prosecco instead of champagne
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Incredibly expensive "exclusive caterers" £30,000!!!

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