Catering Prices Increased 52%, Just for the Buffet!

Is there anywhere in your contract mentioning price? Are you able to remove the toast or other options to bring down the cost? I do see some people selling their wedding venues. Unsure how that works, but that may be an option if you do want to switch to another location.

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The contract only discusses that the client must use the preferred vendor, which their is only one catering company for 2023, and that the client is responsible for reaching out to vendors, such as DJ, photographer, and florist.

On the catering document, it says "prices starting at $82," but also that menus are customizable. But that doesn't necessarily mean the price will decrease if I get rid of the toast, right?

It is an outrageous increase in pricing, unfortunately I feel like that’s going to happen for more vendors across the country.
People already overcharge for weddings, but then take a worldwide pandemic that shut events down for 6 months - a year+ and you’re going to have people rise their prices to make up for it.

How long has the catering company been in business? Is this the first time they’ve gotten an exclusive contract with a venue? Is there any way to use a different caterer if you pay an outside vendor fee to the venue? I know it sounds outrageous, but if they’ve been up and coming and now they’re established, in addition to how much higher food costs are this year, I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised by the price jump. I’d talk to them though and see if they can do anything to lower the price a bit.

That is a pretty hefty increase. However, it is pretty common for vendors to raise their prices each year. Also, $82/pp is pretty cheap including alcohol! I am not surprised they raise it because they were probably losing money only charging $54/pp.

I would reach out to your venue coordinator and see if there are any other options. You do have a year to save, but if $82 is still out of budget, you can ask about cancelling that venue and looking elsewhere.

Did anyone ever confirm the prices before signing the vendor contract or were you strictly going off the prices on the website? If they actually discussed pricing with you at the rate listed on the website, you should certainly have the option to opt out of contract But if you were just assuming the website prices were still accurate unfortunately you may be out of luck.

View Quoted Comment Right, and they may also have additional costs involved with being an exclusive vendor - maybe the lower cost option previously wasn’t the type of food the new venue wanted? I know costs vary, but that price seems really good if it includes alcohol.

That is ridiculous. Tell them you don’t want a champagne toast. Ask them what can be exchanged to lower the price to closer to what you were originally quoted.

I’m very surprised they didn’t mention the price increase. When I was looking they let me know 2021 would be the same price but 2022 would be a significant increase.


Depending on your location I feel like $82 isn’t terrible for food / alcohol tho. But it is such an increase I would be frustrated.

I'm not sure on your location but with alcohol included that is pretty standard from the venues we looked at. But I definitely understand your frustration in them not being totally transparent about their prices beforehand. Really all you can do is ask if there is a way to customize and reduce the price. Or you could back out of that venue, but then you risk losing the deposit. I'm sorry you're going through this. Sticker shock for anything wedding related is HUGE!