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Expert September 2021

Update on previous discussion - Grazing tables

on March 11, 2021 at 1:47 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 4

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I've asked for y'all's opinions on the idea of creating my own grazing table for my cocktail hour/reception before - the majority of you said it would be a lot to take on for the morning of your wedding.

SO, I looked into hiring a local small business who creates stunning charcuterie boards. The owner and I were in contact today and she gave me some quotes.

For reference, my first and original venue didn't allow outside food and their onsite caterers were going to charge us $7 per person for the grazing table. I thought that was totally reasonable. This vendor quoted me today at $22 per head - this will have us spending a similar price on this cheese board as we are on plated filets for our guests. My fiancé thinks this seemed a little outrageous.

This vendor has never been hired to work a wedding reception before, only smaller jobs. She says she would love to be able to work with us, as it would be very good for her business as well to do her first wedding, and that if this didn't fit our budget she would work with us.

My fiancé says it is rude to inform her of how much we were paying with our original vendor and that that would be how much we would be willing to spend with her.

Is this rude? There isn't really any other local vendors who offer this near me - so right now, it's this vendor or myself making the grazing table.

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Lynnie, on March 12, 2021 at 1:08 PM

Champion December 2022
Michelle · on March 11, 2021 at 2:04 PM
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You have to factor in labor and cost of supplies. A venue charging a certain amount and an outside caterer charging are comparing apples and oranges. Is everything offered exactly the same? Quantity and products?
Also keep in mind that alot of people will likely avoid the grazing tables during covid since they are exposed.
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Devoted August 2023
Hhh · on March 11, 2021 at 2:30 PM
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Completely disagree with your fiancé, share the feedback with the vendor. I’ve looked into these as well, and the local small businesses were a similar $20+ per person. BUT most were doing small luncheons or corporate events, where this is the primary food and upscale offerings are expected. There is such a huge spread in prices for cured meat/cheese that she may be able to adjust her prices significantly for a less eccentric offerings, smaller qty per person, or less elaborately displayed. Best case you get a price you can work with (unlikely to be as low as $7 though), worst case she gets feedback on why she didn’t get a booking- which is super helpful to small businesses! (I say this having a friend who ran a charcuterie business and 2 others who own a wedding bartending company)
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Super May 2021
Stacey · on March 11, 2021 at 3:11 PM
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A small, local vendor likely isn't going to be able to match the price of a larger venue. She just won't have the same resources or ability to scale. I don't think there's any harm in mentioning it, but to me you're comparing apples and oranges - I don't think the cost to the venue and the cost to a local vendor are comparable.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on March 12, 2021 at 1:08 PM
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Meats and cheeses can get super expensive - so there's definitely a massive price range for something like this!
I don't think there's any harm in saying that you'd love to work with this small business, but are really looking for something closer to $7 per person (and are there different products they could use to make that possible!)
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