Did you negotiate with your caterer?

LillyBean7

Hi everyone!

We have had some sticker shock as we have been getting back proposals from caterers. The budget has not come up yet but we have been really reasonable with the food choices and the quotes are for 40 people.

We were wondering at what point did everyone discuss the budget with the caterers they were thinking of going with? After the initial proposal did you negotiate prices?

Our most recent quote was about 4,500 for food and labor. This did not include rentals or liquor. I know it is hard to compare and I am not sure I should have put the price but I really wanted to know if this seemed like the going rate. It is a basic dinner with a couple of passed apps and dessert. Everyone I know has done the package wedding so they have not had to hire a private caterer. To us this seems like way too much for 40 people. Any insight would be helpful! Thanks ladies!

chrispygal

We did a lot of research with caterers and I'm telling you now that $112.50 per person for food and labor is WAY high!   We did not negotiate with our caterer, because we found their pricing to be very reasonable - especially once we tasted their food. They are by far a great bargain.  We are having 5 apps (including shrimp), salad, family style dinner that includes 3 entrees (filet mignon, chicken picatta, mushroom raviolis), dessert that we are supplying ourselves that they are warming and topping with ice cream, and a late night snack for a total of $75ish per person including labor and gratiuity.  This does not include any alcohol (we are supplying ourselves and hiring people to serve) or rentals (which were WAY more than I bargained for).

I would suggest you keep searching and it never hurts to tell people what your bugdet is.  They may be able to create something to work within that range.  We are in LOVE with our caterer though, and really feel like we are getting our money's worth, and then some.  Where are you getting married btw?  Maybe people can make some suggestions of who to contact?

jelenybeany

I recently got a quopte from gourmet in a pinch who has delicious food for 55 people...for filet, a fancy chicken dish, a salad, and two sides I think with labor it ended up be $1300. Where is your wedding going to be? What style food are you looking for? I ended up going with a bbq reception which is a few hundred dollars cheaper even than gourmet in a pinch. I didn't have them include apps in that quote becasue we're doing our own.

LillyBean7

We are getting married on Peaks Island. Thank you Chris for the info! We too felt it was really high but we had nothing to compare to. We are doing a sort of Americana theme with the food, keeping it basic not too fancy. While this quote is for a chicken dish and seafood pasta, it was not the food that wad high. The labor was more than the food! I guess we are wondering if others have run in to this as well? Thanks Jeleny and Chris! Would love more opinions:)