Venue And Catering Contracts

by Jen
(UK)

Our wedding ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening buffet is all going to be held in the one venue, however at the moment we are having trouble pinning down a 'quotation', let alone contract.


Learn more about wedding catering

How to cut the cost of your catering budget

Ask the expert

Question continued

In the beginning they talked about £28 per head for three courses, but it has recently gone back and forth. Currently it seems to be vaguely £32 for the main course, £4.50 for a starter and no mention of dessert but the main thing is she says she won't guarantee a price on the food because of increasing prices. Is this normal? We are obviously very concerned as we feel we could get to a few weeks to go and suddenly be looking at massively higher costs when we have budgeted to the original figures.

Answer:

Wedding venues are tricky beasts and you've clearly come across one that is showing worrying signs.

Usually venues provide set menus that you choose at a fixed price. If you change the items on the menu to more premium items then the cost may change slightly. Most venues do this as it allows you flexibility and the prices are clearly stated on their menus should you want to do this.

So under normal circumstances, you should be able to get a price for your wedding requirements easily and get that pinned down in a contract, regardless of increasing food and fuel prices.

The business you're dealing with should really have a 'cushion' for any increases in their costs and not be messing you about. So unless you're changing your mind on what you want to eat and going way outside the fixed menus, then the venue changing the price all the time is not normal.

Given that your venue is wavering quite a lot and uncertain about it's menu costs, let alone its future menu costs suggests to me that they may actually be having financial difficulties or at least see difficult times ahead for their business.

It might be wise to ask yourself if this really is the venue for you and secondly, do you see any other cracks in their business that may lead you to suspect that they may not be in business when it comes to your wedding? This is very valid question in these changing times. If you pay up for your reception now, you may find that you lose all your deposit or any money you've paid if they go out of business. Not an ideal scenario for your wedding.

I would suggest that you find alternative venues for your wedding. Choose ones that have a reasonably high demand or have other sources of income so are able to see through these turbulent times (i.e. hotels).

If this really is the venue for you and you're keen to go ahead with them, make sure they pin down the cost in a contract as soon as possible. Set yourself a deadline for this, so if it's not met, you have time to find another venue.

Best of luck