Tasting etiquette

Leeler

After what feels like ages of searcing, Matt and I are on the brink of booking a venue (I hope!).

We've narrowed it down to two places, Dutchess Golf and CC, and Skyview CC in Sussex Co, NJ.

We have a tasting at Duchess Golf and CC on Thursday afternoon. I'm not sure about the etiquette here.

1. Is it ok that we are going to a tasting, even though we're not 100% set on booking yet? They are in the top two, and the food will be a determining factor.

2. Any ideas about tipping?

3. We're going to talk with Dana about seeing a contract, payment schedule, etc. Any hints and tips you ladies know of so I can be sure we get all the facts (besides what are probably the obvious)?

Thanks so much in advance!

Hope everyone had a fantastic July 4th!

TerriandJoe

Personally, I think you should get a tasting when you are serious considering a place. Before you book.

Tipping? I don't know about that. We didn't. We sat in the managers office while  a wedding was going on. The wedding servers just brought us stuff. It wasn't like they were our personal attendants. But I guess it would depend on the situation. Hope the other girls can help with one!

Make sure they write down any "specialized" anything. Price, anything included. They will often have the package printed. Make sure they write on your file paperwork any thing that deviates from the standard.

Have fun!

BellaSposa223

 If it's the deciding factor then in this case, it's ok to go. You want to know what you're food will taste like beforehand. It was the opposite with my venue. We didn't do a tasting until April, 2 months before the wedding. What if the food would've sucked? We would've been stuck with bad food for our guests; luckily that wasn't the case.

Tipping...we tipped I think $20 per server, there were two. And we had them as servers at the wedding.

Just read over the contract and make sure everything you want is in there. If not, speak up.

Jaimie

Leeler

Thank you girls!

mrsredmoose

I think you're fine requesting a tasting prior to booking.  We heard really good reviews about our venue so we didn't have our tasting in advance.  FI's family also has a Gold Outing there every year so they were able to vouch for the place. 

We tipped at our tasting.  We are  getting married at a Golf Course, so our tasting was held in the on-site restaurant.  They went above and beyond (I am a pain in the ass vegetarian, so I find myself tipping extra when I need to torture the wait staff) so we left a large tip.  We basically guessed what a meal, with the liquor, would have cost for the 5 of us and tipped on that.

As for the contract, make sure they are clear what the per head price is, the tax, and the tip.  Also, make sure you are comfortable with a minimum guarantee, child plate prices, vendor meals, and the time frame for your head count.

mocknine

We tipped at our tasting, but it was held in the dining room and we had a personal server etc.

Leeler

@Mrsredmoose, I'm a vegetarian too--so right there with you! Thanks

@mocknine, thanks! I have a feeling we'll be eating in the coordinator's office, but it seems to me like tipping is a good idea.

So, I'm going to one tasting on Thursday (Dutchess) and another on Saturday (Skyview). I do have a favorite of the two but I think that the tasting will likely be the deciding factor. I feel a little bad going to two tastings, but it matters!

Thanks to all for your help. I'm making notes to remember your tips!