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Samantha
Super August 2019

Catering Panic - When to Worry?

Samantha, on August 9, 2019 at 1:06 PM Posted in Planning 0 17
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My wedding is in 13 days! I’m excited for the planning to end. My venue FINALLY got back to me and that’s all smoothed out. I only have one stray vendor I’m waiting on an invoice. But my current heart stopping problem... the catering.

I recently posted about the issue with the service timing and how my catering manager just informed me days ago that their staffing time only covers a 3 hour event - he didn’t specify but I take that to mean bar, food, set up and break down because he said after getting my timeline he needs to “see what they can do” because it “only covers a 3 hour event” This was NEVER spoken of before in countless emails, phone calls and the in person tasting we had. I scoured my contract and also nowhere to be found. My event is even listed on the contract as 3-830pm.

Second problem. I’ve been asking for almost 2 months now to pay the deposit (or rather just pay in full) and sign all the paperwork which he says he’ll get it all finalized to start that process and nothing. It’s not 13 days to my wedding, their contract gives me 10 days before adding a penalty fee for not finalizing everything, I’m feeling a bit frantic because I emailed him for the second time this month three days ago with no reply. My mom and FH think I should prepare for the worst and get a plan B...

(this is not me going bridezilla just incredibly disappointed if this ends up happening so please let me vent without getting bombarded with someone saying I sound like a brat) which with the deadline brings my options to ordering a bunch of food from In N Out having someone at the wedding pick it up drive it 40 mins to us and then just serve burgers - I love In N Out but this just crushes me after all the work I’ve put in with catering would be for nothing and my menu becomes a potluck of cold (no way to heat them up at the venue) drive through burgers, coolers of self serve beer and wine, and cartons of self serve ice cream, which sounds great for any other party! Id spring for their food truck but they don’t have one in UT.

17 Comments

Latest activity by Sierra, on August 9, 2019 at 3:41 PM
  • Kelly
    VIP October 2020
    Kelly ·
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    I would be so unbelievably bull 💩 right now if I was you. Definitely leave a review detailing your experience
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  • Michaela
    Super May 2020
    Michaela ·
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    This sounds like now is the time to worry. I personally would call them twice a day until I get a firm answer. I am so sorry that this is happening to you!! Keeping you in my thoughts that this all blows over

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  • Yam
    VIP September 2019
    Yam ·
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    Can you show up at their actual building? You’re in crunch time. You might have time to get restaurant catering though. BBQ, Tacos and Italian food places can usually take last minute orders if you give them a couple of days. People just want to eat, everyone loves restaurant food anyway.
    Google “restaurant catering near me” and see what pops up and start making some calls. Restaurant catering is usually pretty cheap.
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  • Sara
    Expert February 2020
    Sara ·
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    It's so ridiculous. I can't believe they're leaving you hanging like this. It's a red flag that your event is listed and they're still saying you only have three hours.

    I would call and email a bunch to try to get a response.. And also call around and see if you can get someone else. Some restaurants in your area may offer catering.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Our caterer was at our wedding from 3 PM - 11:00 PM but they covered set up and take down of chairs, tables, linens, cooked some food on site, served cocktail hour appetizers, served champagne for toasts, cleaned up plates, served buffet, served midnight snacks, served vendor meals, etc. So it would depend what you need from your caterer.


    Have you called your caterer or tried to schedule an in person meeting or go by their office? This seems more severe than just emailing.

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  • Ivy ORP
    VIP October 2019
    Ivy ORP ·
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    You do not sound like a brat at all. I would be freaking out. Is there someone above your contact that you can reach out to? Are there any other local caterers you tried and liked but not as much as this one? I hope whatever you do this works out for you.

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  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
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    You are not being a bridezilla. This is definitely the time to make an issue out of it. This is unacceptable on their part and very unprofessional. You have every right to insist on getting answers. If you can go in person then I would do that and do not take "no" or a "brush off" as your answer.

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  • Samantha
    Super August 2019
    Samantha ·
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    I should’ve added this is a destination wedding! So I can’t go confront my caterer in person. And I exhausted all catering options in my initial search a year ago for catering because of price and logistics - it’s a high demand resort town and many places won’t cater under 100, we’re a party of 30. Also before I jokingly (but seriously) said In N Out, I did call several places and they need more notice than I’m giving them or logistically it can’t be brought due to the mountain location.
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  • Yoice
    VIP March 2019
    Yoice ·
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    Oh I’m sorry this is happening to you but no need to panic because panicking won’t solve it. I say try to contact him in all ways again, phone call, drive to the place you had the tasting and try to resolve it. He could be on a family emergency or a vacation and be back at any time. There’s still time to sort it out with him. I do think the fact no deposit was paid is bad BUT let’s stay positive. The 3 hour event cannot include set up and break down as he can’t do this in the middle of the wedding.
    As for plan B I think is a great option to have something in mind. You don’t need to have burgers. You can have food and keep it warm with those buffet serving chafing. You can do pasta or Mexican or even bbq. Maybe find a place (cater or small restaurant) that can cook mash potatoes and some chicken and veggies or salad and have it warm up. You can always contract waiters that serve this or do it Buffet style. Is all possible. I think in and out is great but not for a wedding and not if you have to eat it cold after a 40 minute drive.
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  • Samantha
    Super August 2019
    Samantha ·
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    My DOC is doing set up and breakdown of basic things like tables and linens and bringing all catering rentals like plates, cups and silverware for them. They would only need to have the bar set up and broken down, apps and buffet stations. The only change to the time was asking if the bar could be set up at 230 to allow guests to grab drinks pre ceremony, cocktail hour would be 4-5, 530 would be dinner and desserts at either 630 or 7. The bar staying till 830.
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  • Ivy ORP
    VIP October 2019
    Ivy ORP ·
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    Do they have a corporate number you can reach out to? If it's a mom and pop place you may just have to get there and make your first stop the caterer's office. I wish there was something any of us could do to help.

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  • Samantha
    Super August 2019
    Samantha ·
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    I thought about going above him but without having anything securing my event monetarily I didn’t want to upset anyone and it’s not mom and pop it’s a huge catering outfit and quite popular.
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  • Samantha
    Super August 2019
    Samantha ·
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    I don’t have any catering rentals like serving charges or sternos and my rental companies don’t provide those items, I asked. And my venue is an art gallery so there’s no service space for catering, if food is brought in it’d have to be delivered at a specific time or someone would have to leave and pick it up - not trying to rain on my own parade. Because it’s up in the mountains the nearest restaurants are still a bit of a hike into the main town.
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  • Ivy ORP
    VIP October 2019
    Ivy ORP ·
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    Better them be upset and provide what you need than you be left without what you paid for.

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  • Yoice
    VIP March 2019
    Yoice ·
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    Oh I see. Is more complicated than I thought.
    You can always purchase the simple ones that amazon or party store sell but you’ll probably need a lot more stuff since caters offer plantes and the rest. Well I think is already time to worry but don’t panic. Keep trying to get in contact with them.
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  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
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    You have every right to be worrying now! Is there any way you could show up at his office and talk there?

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  • Sierra
    Dedicated December 2019
    Sierra ·
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    I'm so sorry that you're going through this...13 days before your wedding has to be a stressful time. I have 11 months left until my wedding, and I'm already beside myself. After reading through the comments and getting the other details of your wedding, it sounds like forcing contact on this caterer is your top priority. Call at different times of the day, every day, until SOMEONE gives you SOMETHING. It sounds like you have a beautiful wedding planned out, and if this is your only issue, you're doing all right! One the same token, I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as this is an issue a lot of people have nightmares about.. I truly hope all works out for you and your wedding day is everything you dreamed of, even if it's not exact

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