Catering Question

brookeberger · February 2011

Hi Guys,

I am having a wedding this summer August 2011 at Mt. Hope Farm and we are inviting 100 guest. I am in the process of figuring out our budget for catering. Do you think it is doable to get catering costs to 8,000 (this figure would include full bar + food+china and linens) but not include tax and gratuity.

Everything is so expensive. I want our guest to have great food and drink but I also need to keep with in the budget.

Does anyone out there have any advice?

caityflute · February 2011

Totally doable.

Try Emery's Catering in Central Falls! They are the most affordable that I found. They budgeted us at under $7000 for 150 ppl, including beer and wine

Good luck!

RoyalOrient · February 2011

I would call Atomic Catering too. I also find that restaurants that offer on-site catering tend to be affordable like 1149 and WildFire/Providence Oyster/Providence Prime (they have info on their site with prices).

jlsimon56 · February 2011

We used Atomic and our total was right around that for 100 guests. We saved money by limiting the # of guests for alcohol (only did open bar for the 21+ crowd), and by having kids meals ($10 each) for anyone under 18 (I just said how many kids, they didn't count). We did family style but that didn't save money vs. plated or buffet, but it did allow everyone to eat as much as they wanted. We still did passed hot apps, and a plated salad. Atomic does a lot of weddings and events, so they are good at what they do, but sometimes you do feel like a number. I was ok with that as long as they did their job, which they did. Let me know if you have any more questions.

We also looked into Pranzi, Blackstone, and Russell Morin. Pranzi was more money and didn't listen to what we wanted for a menu (did a very Italian based menu, we are not Italian), blackstone was comparable for price but the menu wasn't as interesting (still a good contender), and RM never got back to my requests, I think b/c they prefer bigger budgets! OK by me, don't want to waste your time!

Other places I have heard of are West Bay and Glorious Affairs, for good menus but affordable.

Doing beer+wine vs. a full open bar will also save you money.

KBinRI · February 2011

Ours cost less than half that for 61 people (I'm including our open beer/wine bar in that total even though we used a different vendor; our caterer did offer full open as well.) We used B&M Clambake Co. but didn't have a clambake - they offer other menus.

ETA: I'd be wary of booking Atomic right now, as they are up for sale: http://bizblog.projo.com/2011/01/east-greenwich-9.html

RoyalOrient · February 2011

Ugh Russel Morin would not even entertain the idea of a budget friendly dinner service. I had the most success with Blackstone so far.

i2012do · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_catering-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:eb2ce993-6623-462b-8806-062909e46c21Post:859c23ee-c000-456e-b0d2-27201d50b587">Re: Catering Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Regarding catering businesses that are "for sale". My catering company (Plantation) is for sale and it hasn't affected us thus far. Blackstone was also recently sold, as of summer/fall 2010 and we haven't heard any negative reviews from brides who used them after their sale date. I think the "up for sale" thing is relative. I know people are "gun-shy" since Astor's Beechwood Mansion recently sold in January 2010 and kicked brides from August 2010-to the present out of their contracts, but catering businesses seem to act differently after they are sold. Just something to think about! :)
Posted by Island_Bride2011[/QUOTE]

I agree. I actually called my contact at Blackstone really upset, because I read they were sold on the boards a few weeks ago...
I was nervous to sign the contract because of this... she told me that it wasnt really that they were sold, I mean technically they were, bought their general manager bought them out... Bascially hes worked there for year and year and years-- and then just decided to buy out the owner- no staff changed or anything. So now I feel better... but I haven't heard any complaints as Island bride mentioned about catering companies after a buyout.

KBinRI · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_catering-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:eb2ce993-6623-462b-8806-062909e46c21Post:04101053-a40b-4ca9-a122-36dd1020291d">Re: Catering Question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Catering Question : I agree. I actually called my contact at Blackstone really upset, because I read they were sold on the boards a few weeks ago... I was nervous to sign the contract because of this... she told me that it wasnt really that they were sold<strong>, I mean technically they were, bought their general manager bought them out... Bascially hes worked there for year and year and years-- and then just decided to buy out the owner- no staff changed or anything. </strong>So now I feel better... but I haven't heard any complaints as Island bride mentioned about catering companies after a buyout.
Posted by i2012do[/QUOTE]

I think the key point here is the difference between a company whose owner decided to sell and one who was forced to put his restaurants and associated businesses into recievership - a form of bankruptcy - because, in his own words as quoted in the Journal, the company “is insolvent and unable to meet its obligations.”

In any case, I just wanted to mention the potential sale because I haven't seen that one mentioned here before and if I was a bride looking to book, that's something I'd want to know. Maybe they'll find a buyer and it will all work out fine for Atomic.

cozmo1145 · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_catering-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:eb2ce993-6623-462b-8806-062909e46c21Post:04101053-a40b-4ca9-a122-36dd1020291d">Re: Catering Question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Catering Question : I agree. I actually called my contact at Blackstone really upset, because I read they were sold on the boards a few weeks ago... I was nervous to sign the contract because of this... she told me that it wasnt really that they were sold, I mean technically they were, bought their general manager bought them out... Bascially hes worked there for year and year and years-- and then just decided to buy out the owner- no staff changed or anything. So now I feel better... but I haven't heard any complaints as Island bride mentioned about catering companies after a buyout.
Posted by i2012do[/QUOTE]

I actually found out Blackstone had been sold before I signed a contract with them in November. Karen also reassured me that nothing was changing. We had a second tasting a few weeks ago & met the new owner who was so nice. He kept coming in to chat with us; he really made it seem as though he wanted to make sure to include absolutely everything we wanted for our wedding day.

However, I totally agree that the Pinelli Marra situation is a bit questionable right now. I love the Grille on Main, but wouldn't buy a gift card from there for Christmas because of the receivership. If it were me, I don't think I'd be comfortable signing a contract with a company before I knew who would be taking over. In all likelihood, everything will work out--- it would just make me nervous!

I hadn't heard anything about Plantation, though. We did a tasting with them & it seemed like Carol would keep that business forever. I wonder what's going on??

Island_Bride2011 · February 2011

Carol is retiring. Kim & Erica are the new point people there. We were slightly nervous when we found out. We arranged a meeting with the new ladies and couldn't be happier. The new staff is great and really bent over backwards to make us confident in our decision. Kim worked for Carol in the 90s, so she's really experienced with the catering business in Newport. I'll admit, hearing your catering company is "for sale" would make any bride freak, but I felt fine after talking it over with them. I'm confident Plantation is going to do a great job at my wedding.

Sometimes, a refreshed staff can benefit a couple. Change is good!

cozmo1145 · February 2011

Island Bride- I met Kim when we did our tasting there. I really like her! To be honest, Carol intimidated me a bit, but I thought Kim was wonderful! You're right, change can definitely work out for the best.

Island_Bride2011 · February 2011

We liked Carol, but we also really like Kim & Erica, so it's all good!!!

brookeberger · February 2011

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for responding! I clearly am new at this b/c I did not even realize there was responses to this question until right now.

Deciding on a caterer is really overwhelming. I have gotten a lot of quotes and menus from all the places you mentioned and more. I am sort of at a stand still b/c I am considering to many options at the moment.

I need to decide on 2 places and figure out how to get what I want in my budget.

Did you ladies have luck negotiating?

Thanks for your help!!

tarawedding100 · February 2011

Decadent Catering is very budget friendly. My bf used them. They also own a popular restaurant in Providence on the east side. She had the rehersal dinner there. Good luck!

RINottie · February 2011

Beware Tarawedding100 is the owner of decadent catering. We come on this site to get advise from other brides not advertisements.

i2012do · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_catering-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:eb2ce993-6623-462b-8806-062909e46c21Post:7db55f81-94b6-4ac1-9047-2e7986022486">Re: Catering Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Decadent Catering is very budget friendly. My bf used them. They also own a popular restaurant in Providence on the east side. She had the rehersal dinner there. Good luck!
Posted by tarawedding100[/QUOTE]

ERRR STop spamming this site. You know, when a business owner uses tactics like trying to "trick" people into thinking they are someone else---- then maybe you aren't running a very secure business strategy. Or maybe you need someone knew in Marketing... either way- stop spamming the site. its downright Rude-

And **KB-RI- you are right about Atomic. I actually didint know much about the situation going on there- just a few articles I'd seen here and there, it totally is a different situation. I just mean, I tink its best to call and check and find out the situation- -since it seems "catering companies" being sold in RI is happening pretty frequently lately. Thanks for adding that in, I had forgotten all about the mess they arein.

And to the OPP-- I just wanted to say that there is wiggle room and some negoitating. It might not be on price- but you might be able to get freebies, like a free champagne toast, or votives on the tables or a linen upgrade saving you a few hundred bucks!

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