Catering for Cocktail Hour Etiquette

tjackson418

Hi everyone,

Quick etiquette question. My fiance and I are planning a wedding for next summer. We are having a local restaurant cater the meal for the reception (the reception is not at the restaurant). We are interested in having a local bakery create appetizers for our cocktail hour (the appetizers are things that the restaurant does not make).

Is it considered rude to have a caterer for the meal and a separate source for the appetizers? Our caterer has been great and we don't want to make her mad. 

DrillSergeantCat

If she can't provide you something you need, why would it be rude to get it elsewhere? If she gets mad at that, then she should make appetizers. It's a pretty common thing for weddings.

tjackson418

It's primarily because they're a small local restaurant. We're doing breakfast for dinner, and we want to serve some local baked goods for our appetizers. Thanks for the comment! I just wasn't sure if caterers cared about having other food at the event (they wouldn't be serving it, though).

Thanks!

kimmiinthemitten

tjackson418 said:

Hi everyone,

Quick etiquette question. My fiance and I are planning a wedding for next summer. We are having a local restaurant cater the meal for the reception (the reception is not at the restaurant). We are interested in having a local bakery create appetizers for our cocktail hour (the appetizers are things that the restaurant does not make).

Is it considered rude to have a caterer for the meal and a separate source for the appetizers? Our caterer has been great and we don't want to make her mad. 

No. As someone who works for a caterer on the side, Ive worked events before where two or even three different caterers provided the food for different parts of the event. 

ILoveBeachMusic

I would say check your contract first though. Some contract specify that other caterers can't be involved.

tjackson418

Our contract doesn't specify, but I will double check with our catering representative. Thank you!

SP29

Agree- check your contract. If that is clear, go for it! The meal caterer should not be upset if they do not provide the service you want.

ScottishSarah

This happens all the time at weddings, for late night food trucks, crepes, oyster guys, even just the basic wedding cake!

I'm sure they won't be offended, it's your wedding day and they will expect you to be very selective, just drop them a quick email.  Xxx

kimmiinthemitten

Vendor alert @KnotHolly

Post edited by mod to remove quoted vendor post.