Am I expecting too much from a caterer?

eliseistaken

I'm doing some research on catering costs for my upcoming wedding of around 90 guests. I want a simple affair that has burgers/fries and a general 50's diner theme. 

One of the caterers came back with this: "Pricing on this for the food only would start at $28.90 per person and that would include 2 main entree's, 2 salads and 1 side. Appetizers start at 3 apps for $12.50 per person." That comes to about 3730; aka over half of my budget.

I think it's a little ridiculous that it's going to cost me over $40 per person for burgers, fries, and some simple appetizers! I'm not set on this caterer by any means, but I have a feeling the other companies will give me a similar response. What I'd like to know is if I'm expecting too much for too little? What are your expectations of catering companies?

Thank you for your help!

kmmssg

It really sounds like a canned response with a price.  You didn't ask for two entrees, 2 salads, and a side.  You asked for burgers and fries!  I'd be replying back with that too.  They didn't give you a quote for what you asked for.

Apps can really get expensive.  Anything that has to be individually made wracks up a lot of labor and time, and that equals money.  What kind of apps are they talking?

zitiqueen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_am-i-expecting-too-much-from-a-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d3f05d1a-4871-4bf3-8597-2a2230cd24cePost:057eb801-32f6-426c-aecd-4d8628ff3518">Am I expecting too much from a caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm doing some research on catering costs for my upcoming wedding of around 90 guests. I want a simple affair that has burgers/fries and a general 50's diner theme.  One of the caterers came back with this: "Pricing on this for the food only would start at $28.90 per person and that would include 2 main entree's, 2 salads and 1 side. Appetizers start at 3 apps for $12.50 per person." That comes to about 3730; aka over half of my budget. I think it's a little ridiculous that it's going to cost me over $40 per person for burgers, fries, and some simple appetizers! I'm not set on this caterer by any means, but I have a feeling the other companies will give me a similar response. What I'd like to know is if I'm expecting too much for too little? What are your expectations of catering companies? Thank you for your help!
Posted by eliseistaken[/QUOTE]

Depends on where you live. Where are you located? $40 per person would be an absolute steal in NYC but may be considered crazy high to somebody in Gum Springs, Arkansas.

eliseistaken

@  kmmssg: I wasn't specific about the appetizers because I'm not set on how many or what kinds, but the two I have in mind right now are a small stack of onion rings, and mac n'cheese cup type things. They don't need to be fancy, just good. I could honestly make them myself, and if the other companies don't give me better quotes, I just might.

@ zitiqueen: I live in Eastern Washington, so I don'tt hink that it should be that high? Maybe I'm living in a dream world though...

Overall I'll wait until I get quotes from the others and see if this guy is actually giving me a good deal, or if he's just giving me cookie cutter crap.

Thanks for the feedback!

kmmssg

I did the apps for 2 of my girls' weddings.  For the last one, she was marrying into an Italian family and she took the food part right to heart.  First thing she said was "we have to have pasta and canolli!".  That was no problem.

For her apps, I made 2 huge anti pasta platters, did cheese and crackers, and baguette slices with basil butter.  I think we may have done crudite also but it was 3 1/2 years ago and seems to be a bit of a blur tonight.  Our goal was to make a "big thing" that would impress, taste great, and not have much labor involved.  It went over very well.

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_am-i-expecting-too-much-from-a-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d3f05d1a-4871-4bf3-8597-2a2230cd24cePost:057eb801-32f6-426c-aecd-4d8628ff3518">Am I expecting too much from a caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE] 2 main entree's,
Posted by eliseistaken[/QUOTE]

Entrees for the love of Pete.

zitiqueen

I don't know what the average costs are in Washington. You should ask those kinds of questions on the local Washington boards. This is an international board.

<--------------- local boards are that way

Lisa50

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_am-i-expecting-too-much-from-a-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:d3f05d1a-4871-4bf3-8597-2a2230cd24cePost:e196ccbf-57e5-4dcc-9f55-9db5ba928a05">Re: Am I expecting too much from a caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Am I expecting too much from a caterer? : <strong>Depends on where you live.</strong> Where are you located? $40 per person would be an absolute steal in NYC but may be considered crazy high to somebody in Gum Springs, Arkansas.
Posted by zitiqueen[/QUOTE]

No truer words ever written.

jessicabessica

I would ask for recommendations on your local board.  Keep in mind, though, that some catering quotes may include china rentals, so make sure you really know what is included so you can compare.  For that particular caterer, I would ask for sample menus and reiterate what kind of food you want to see if it's worth talking to them more.

TheVirginians

Sounds like you need to talk to other caterers. Not only do you need several quotes, but you need one that will listen to you request for burgers.

Avion22

I couldn't get a good idea of pricing until I actually met with caterers, we talked about exactly what I needed rental-wise and food-wise, and I got a few written quotes with actual menus.   I know it may seem like a waste of time to meet with people who turn out to be way over your budget, but it's really the only way to know what things are going to cost.

Also, a GOOD caterer should be willing to work in your budget.  If you tell them you want to feed 90 people for, say, $2000, they might be willing to offer some options that meet your vision and your budget.   

calliopeia2013

Agree with PPs re: price variance based on region, but also keep in mind that the quote may include china and linen rentals, service fees, the amount of waitstaff needed for a plated dinner, all of the logistical stuff caterers do (like setting up and taking down the tables), and so forth.

rlavach

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_am-i-expecting-too-much-from-a-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d3f05d1a-4871-4bf3-8597-2a2230cd24cePost:714814a0-795f-4b79-a335-4ed85ce537f8">Re: Am I expecting too much from a caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE]Agree with PPs re: price variance based on region, but also keep in mind that the quote may include china and linen rentals, service fees, the amount of waitstaff needed for a plated dinner, all of the logistical stuff caterers do (like setting up and taking down the tables), and so forth.
Posted by calliopeia2013[/QUOTE]
All of this.

eliseistaken

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I will definitely be heading over to my local board now to get further help!

alithebride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_am-i-expecting-too-much-from-a-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:d3f05d1a-4871-4bf3-8597-2a2230cd24cePost:27ab6e11-a311-46af-8cad-9deb1bc6d743">Re: Am I expecting too much from a caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Am I expecting too much from a caterer? : Entrees for the love of Pete.
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]

so true! the use of 's for plural drives me mad!! hopefully their burgers are better than their punctuation.

reppunzel

You might also want to look into restaurants in your area that serve the kind of food / have the 50's feel you're looking for.  Often restaurants offer catering (or will make the food, you pick it up and serve it, which could still be easier than making it yourself), and they tend to be less expensive because their main income is their brick-and-mortar establishment.