Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Expert June 2021

16 month long engagement when to book food?

on December 9, 2019 at 7:24 AM Posted in Planning 0 3

Saved

Flag
Hide content

Hello, so my fiancé and I have decided to get married in the spring of 2021. We are having a hard time knowing when to book certain vendors. Most vendors have a booking deposit you pay to ensure they work your event but the restaurant is like to have cater my food is saying to place the order a month before the wedding and I’m not so comfortable waiting that close to the big day. I also asked if they do an invoice and contract to bind the agreement to working together and he was like not really but he could draft one if id like. I just don’t feel comfortable waiting until a month before to put my order in. There is no way to ensure he won’t have a event to cater on my day if I wait that long. I like venders that request a booking fee and mark you in their calendar. I understand 2021 is a long ways off but I need some reassurance that I will have my food for my wedding. And catering is the last thing I want to stress about right before the wedding it’s too big of a vendor.

Any thoughts? Or similar situations?

Flag
Hide content

3 Comments

Latest activity by Sinéad, on December 11, 2019 at 7:11 AM

Champion July 2019
Veronica · on December 9, 2019 at 7:35 AM
Flag

Hide content
I definitely wouldn't wait until a month beforehand. It doesn't seem like he wants to make any guarantees so I would probably look into hiring someone else that can promise you that they will cater your wedding. I know when we were looking for a restaurant for our rehearsal dinner some of them wouldn't allow us to book until like 1-2 months prior to the wedding so we went with a restaurant that allowed us to book sooner. Food is a major part of a wedding and the last thing you should do is wait until a month beforehand. If he were to get booked before you would book him then you would be out of luck. Finding a wedding cater a month before your wedding would be very difficult.
- Reply
Beginner August 2021
Alexandra · on December 9, 2019 at 7:57 AM
Flag

Hide content
We are getting married August 2021 and are at least putting down the deposit for our venue this month. It seems really early but we’ve heard from
venues that dates tend to fill up quickly here (we’re in MA). We’d rather cross it off the list. Our venue doesn’t require subsequent deposits until 5 days before the wedding, so we feel comfortable with this. I’ve been told it’s fine to
book the officiant, photographer, and dj this far out as well. We’ll see when we do that...soon, I suppose, but we’re not rushing either as it’s 20 months away for us. Hope this helps!
- Reply

WeddingWire Administrator January 2025
Sinéad · on December 11, 2019 at 7:11 AM
Flag

Hide content
Hey Nayisha!
I’m sorry that you are having so much trouble with this. It’s totally understandable that you feel nervous about waiting so close to your wedding to nail down your caterer. That certainly sounds like it would be far too close for comfort.
The good news is that time is on your side. Have you looked into any other restaurants that do similar catering in your area, or catering companies that might do the food you would like? I would advise looking around to see what your options are. You might find something that you love and are able to lock down a lot sooner than your original caterer.
- Reply