Bargaining with caterers?

manateehugger

We're pretty anxious to book our venue and caterer early (having a June wedding in a city is kind of a nightmare). We're down to two venues. The one we want is a museum that has a list of preferred outside caterers, most of which are relatively pricey. Our backup is a country club that gave us a definite number that is budget-friendly. I'm currently contacting the museum's preferred caterers to ask what their price ranges are for the same type of package the country club is offering (most of them just have the "$50/plate and up" language on their price sheets) . I'm really hoping to find a caterer who can meet my price point so we can book the museum. So:

Is it appropriate to ask a caterer to meet a quote from another vendor? If so, how did you go about asking them to meet your budget (especially when they aren't really in a position of needing your business)?

lyndausvi

Well preferred vendor means just that. So they don't have much of an incentive to match another venues price because you can't book the museum without booking them.   

You can always call them up and let them know your budget and see if they can do work with you.

Remember not everyone 'needs' your business.  I know a place who charges a lot because they really don't want to do weddings, but hey if you pay the right price they won't turn down the business either.  

All you can do is ask, if they can't work with you don't take it personally,

manateehugger

The museum's list has eight caterers. I think it's more the local area caterers that the museum is willing to work with, thankfully, as opposed to a list of one or two that know we are stuck with them.

 The country club is throwing in all the ice sculpture type junk into the package (the events manager asked me what kind of ice shape I would want...I had NO clue) that I can definitely do without.  I'll work on making a short list of "must haves." Guess I just need to call and haggle and hope for the best. Thanks for the advice ladies!

Also, lynduasvi, I  LOVE your English Bulldog. I had one when I was younger, and he was the best lounging around companion ever; still miss my buddy some days.