Catering Fail... now what?

Cocktail canapes were supposed to be on toasted bread and were served on stale slices of untoasted bread

the waitresses were a little too great and removed people's plates before they finished eating if they got up to tend to kids or even go to the bar to get soda or water since nothing was served at the table

here is a picture of the dessert table with an added "bonus" of a bacon bar... even with the added display it looks weak...

everything I purchased to serve was plentiful and I took home tons of extras (like the whoopie pies or the liquor). how could there not be enough food when I disclosed exactly how many people were going and I had 5 no shows?!

I'm upset and I am going to talk to the caterer on Monday but I don't want to think I'm making a big deal out of little things but it's a lot of little things...

and worse of all... someone overheard a guest (they couldn't identify who it was) say the one thing so many brides don't wanna hear... "well I guess I have to go get dinner after this"

:*(

Oh no Yes go talk to the caterer. You hired them for a job and they didn't uphold their end. If you hired someone to roof your house and they used cardboard instead of shingles you'd complain. This is the same concept. As much as I hate to say it, I think you should leave some online reviews as well for a cautionary tale to other hosts.

ETA: words

Don't feel bad about something that is and was out of ur control.

All of these "mishaps" should be discussed and u should ask for partial refund because u did pay for desserts that 3 tables didn't get. I'm sure u paid a service charge. I'm sure u paid extra for specialty rolls and not stale Costco rolls. It's not about money really it's about principality and professionalism. As for the unhappy guests.... trust me when I tell u, everyone* whether at a nice wedding, poor one, rich one, everyone talks shit.

U should really have a discussion and don't be a push over.

Review your contract so you know what they agreed to provide.

Make a list so you don't forget anything and can have a calm and reasonable discussion.

My brother had a similar experience. His caterer seemed like a great guy, but he found out later that there was not enough food and that he served cheap substitutes instead of the expensive items they requested.

They lucked out in a way because they had written him two checks. One for the bill and one for a tip. He stopped payment on the tip check and left honest reviews. Then they just let it go.

The 18% tip was included in a service fee but I do think the girls serving did a good job and deserved the tip. thus was a logistical planning and cooking issue

Was this caterer part of your reception venue or hired outside of the venue?

Go through your contract and your final menu sign off with final totals with a fine tooth comb and write down bullet points of what was missed. I am not sure if you could get any of your money because it could be viewed as a he said she said situation. Start out with an email identifying your dis satisfaction with the services and quality of food. A well written review that is without emotion of what happened at your reception can really distroy potential new business for the caterer.

@svetlana - I went over the contract - the number of guests are clearly written, the request for specialty rolls is included, there is no mention of whether water would be served or whether food would be warmed appropriately, labeled for content, and plentiful enough for the guests, but I think these are all implied in "professional" services.

Untoasted stale bread, no salt/pepper/butter, lack of water on tables, and weak tasting cake are more annoying than indicative of a lack of service, but add up to a guest experience that are less than what I expected for a professional service. None of these things would be listed in a contract, though..

I agree with making a list for your meeting. Go through it. Mention off the top that the servers were excellent, but the actual food served was not.

You had an expectation of specific food and beverages to be served, and that wasn't met. You should let them know and could be entitled to a partial refund.

As said above you need to talk to your caterer for a partial refund.

Is there any pics of the bad food you can take with you to the meeting. I think the one pic you posted isn't going to be enough to present a case.

@svetlana - I have no pics of empty trays or pics of the costco bags.. I only have the pic of the dessert table that shows no where near enough for 100 people.

Looking at that pic it looks like enough for maybe 40 to 50 not 100.

Contact that caterer. You spent to much money for it not to be nice. No excuses. What and where is the catering.