Caterer issue-need advice!

katieruffin

My fiance and I really have our hearts set on a location for our ceremony/reception.  It's exactly what we want for the style and theme of our wedding.  However, the site has a contract with a caterer that we were told can not be broken. Before meeting with this caterer, we met with a different one, to be able to compare, and LOVED her.  Unfortunately, the caterer who we have to use was very off-putting.  She made it feel like it was hassle for her to meet with us, she was not accomodating at all, and she made it clear that her job was "to provide the food" only-no coordinating or working w/ other vendors.  She told us she'd e-mail a sample menu with some prices within a week.

After two weeks we hadn't heard anything.  Called twice-no response.  The third time she answered and told us how busy she is and would get us something that week.  It's been another two weeks now!  We are getting angry and want to move foward w/ our wedding plans. 

Can we offer her a 'buyout" to use a different caterer? Should we talk to her about it first, or the event coordinator at the venue (who already told us we must use this caterer?)  Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_caterer-issue-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:ec30678b-be53-4382-aff7-9987b9b2f268Post:101ea3c4-54da-42ac-91e4-0c662cb4f8ff">Caterer issue-need advice!</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and I really have our hearts set on a location for our ceremony/reception.  It's exactly what we want for the style and theme of our wedding.  However, the site has a contract with a caterer that we were told can not be broken. Before meeting with this caterer, we met with a different one, to be able to compare, and LOVED her.  Unfortunately, the caterer who we have to use was very off-putting.  She made it feel like it was hassle for her to meet with us, she was not accomodating at all, and she made it clear that her job was "to provide the food" only-no coordinating or working w/ other vendors.  She told us she'd e-mail a sample menu with some prices within a week. After two weeks we hadn't heard anything.  Called twice-no response.  The third time she answered and told us how busy she is and would get us something that week.  It's been another two weeks now!  We are getting angry and want to move foward w/ our wedding plans.  Can we offer her a 'buyout" to use a different caterer? Should we talk to her about it first, or the event coordinator at the venue (who already told us we must use this caterer?)  Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
Posted by katieruffin[/QUOTE]
If you have to use that caterer, then you have to use that caterer.  Period.  That's the venue's policy.  If you don't like the response that you're getting from the caterer, then you need to find a different venue.

You can talk to the wedding coordinator and let her know about the problems that you're having with the caterer, however, I doubt very much that they will agree to allow you to bring in an outside vendor.  They may, though, so it's worth a try.

If the caterer is this non-responsive to you now, you're only asking for problems later on.  Go with your gut and find a different venue, if the venue that you love won't budge.

brookelynpaisley

This happened with our contracted baker. I'd talk to the venue. They should know and care about how their contracted caterer is dealing with you. I kind of think these vendors who win these contracts get lazy on the justification that they've already won the work. Make sure you've documented your communication with the caterer. Don't present it as "we talked to this other caterer and looooved them and now realize your caterer sucks." Tell them that you've found dealing with their caterer has been frustrating despite your best attempts and want to look at other options.

In our situation, we were able to use another baker. The venue had a contract price with their baker and they paid that price to our baker, and we covered the extra. We were glad to considering the difference in quality.

Hope it works out for you

september's bride

I would speak with the coordinator first, because I doubt the caterer is the one making the decisions in this case. The coordinator should know about the issues you're experiencing, and they may be willing to work with you if it appears like they're not holding up their end of the bargain by providing a competant caterer.

They also might stick up for her and dig their heels in, so be prepared for every scenario. I'd personally walk away if I was forced to use a vendor I wasn't comfortable with. It's not like the food is a small part of the wedding...if it goes wrong, it's really wrong.

Knittibell

I would first contact the location who is telling you this is the caterer you must use. Explain that the offputting nature of the caterer has made you both uncomfortable, as has her non-responsiveness to your inquiries. Be sure the venue understands that this is a large issue for you and potential other customers and could be to the detriment of their business.

I would also e-mail the caterer and tell her that since she is "so busy" with other clients and unable to respond to the necessary requirements of catering your event, you'd be happy to take the burden off her and use another caterer, if she'd prefer.

ETA: Be prepared to walk away, unless you've already paid the venue and it's non-refundable... food is hugely important, and you can find another location you'll love-using the caterer you want!

J&K10910

I'd talk to the coordinator about the issue.  But there is pretty much no chance they'll let you use another caterer.  If you want another caterer, you're going to have to pick a new venue.  But if you're already under contract with this venue, I'd encourage you to first try to talk to the caterer about the issue, and then to the coordinator if you don't get any resolution.

ALso?  A caterer's job IS to provide the food.  Not to coordinate or work with other vendors.  Any of that from someone else is going above and beyond.

AngelaOct11

I would give it a bit more time and contact the venue.  Right now is a busy time for weddings and your wedding is over a year away.  Your wedding just might not be the top priority for them right now.