Venue has an exclusive caterer who is expensive

ashleed27

I am having my wedding at the Des Moines zoo. I love the venue so much. The down side is they have an exclusive caterer. They have great food, but it is a bit on the pricey side. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to cut corners with the caterer. Is negotiation doable or am I pretty much paying what they say and I should get used to it.

Thanks

melb2013

I'd say if you can't afford it without negotiating, then you need to change the venue.  Don't forget to add in tax and gratuity to that price before you decide if you can afford it.

Buffets are usually the cheapest option and stations are often the most expensive.  I've heard that it's easier to negotiate them into adding things, but more difficult to actually change the per person cost.

Sue-n-Kevin

There are a couple of ways to reduce costs

Look at your guest list. This is the easiest way, but also the hardest at the same time. Are there people you are inviting because you feel obligated to do so, but they in fact are not in your inner circle of family or friends?

A caterer is often willing to work within your budget, but you have to tell them what that budget is. If you can afford $50 per person, then tell them you want something in the $40 per person range, as they will upload tax & gratuities and other fees. Give them your bottom line price and ask what you can get for that. They may eliminate a course, or provide a lower cost alternative to a side dish or main entree.

Another option is to reduce what you spend on other wedding related items. Can you cut the cost of paper items (programs, invitations, eliminate STD's), photographer, decor, etc?

Good luck.