Catering Bues

Oh no! Can you reach out to the caterers and tell them your budget for food and go from there? Say that you have a budget of XYZ and want to see what they can offer for that?

Does the Zoo allow any outside food not from the caterers or are they strict like that?

Let them know you’re on a budget and ask them for cost-saving suggestions. Brunch may be cheaper than dinner. They might charge less for a Sun-Thur evening wedding. Or maybe they can customize a per person meal for your budget.

P.S. A zoo is also hard a fun & beautiful venue!

I would just confirm that these are “preferred caterers” and not the only ones you can use. If that’s the case I’m sure you can find someone cheaper. I had the same issue with “preferred vendors” at my venue but ended up going outside of their list and found great options.

Im sure they can work with you somehow. Perhaps you can try to negotiate or figure out an entree within your budget

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It says on the contract that I have to choose one of the six, but I think I'm going to call and confirm that.

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I can't budge on the date, unfortunately. I planned it around my Fall Break from school, and it's my late father's birthday so I'd like to include him in that way.

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No what I meant was can you just hire them for main course and bring your own apps, drinks, and desserts

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Candice, we can't bring in any food from the outside. They are providing the liquor so that's one less thing to worry about. I can get my cake anywhere but it has to be professionally baked. We love the venue but they're kind of tying our hands for the caterers. I'm going to follow a few of the suggestions everyone has given me and see what happens.

My aunt was married there a few years ago! It's beautiful but they are definitely very strict about what you can bring in/who you use for the safety of the animals.
I think the suggestion of asking what they can do for X price range is a good idea!
Best of luck!

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Thank you, Casey, and everyone, for the great advice.