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Just Said Yes September 2025

Venue being difficult with catering

Naty, on June 13, 2024 at 6:46 AM Posted in Planning 0 14
I’m having a difficult time with the venue and the catering that I want to use. I emailed her about a catering company that was willing to be part of our day, and asked if it would be okay to use. She said it’s fine, but needed all documentation from them licenses insurance etc. I’m okay I’ll have them collect that for you. Then she pulled out that per there policy the food need be plated if it’s over 180 guest. I was not aware about this nor was this mentioned in the contract. We were aiming to do buffet.


When we first started we were going to use there “exclusive” catering but we had the option to go outside of there recommendations. So we spoke there that exclusive catering company and we both felt that it was not the best fit for us. Mind you…for getting a tasting with this cater we had to pay to taste their food (Not sure if that’s how it goes for most tastings).
After expressing how we felt, we told her that we felt pushed in using there exclusive catering and that due to have 2 different cultural background we felt that company they worked with did not for our vision or what we were looking for and that at times we were scared to ask because they pull something else out that we weren’t aware of. I did mentioned that I will talk to the company that was willing to work with us on our day and give her the information for her to talk to them.
After a long text she hasn’t replied to my last text from yesterday and I am freaking out about it everything I said. I just this day to be stress free and fun.
Was I in the wrong for expressing how we felt? Or am I overthinking the whole situation? The last thing I want to do is for them to make it harder on us with the planning and that what I am afraid of.

14 Comments

Latest activity by Michael, on June 16, 2024 at 12:47 AM
  • Andrea
    Rockstar January 2024
    Andrea ·
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    You’re not wrong for how you felt, but whether you’ll get any result will likely depend on your venue contract. I would double-check your contract and any documents they provided to see if there’s any reference to the plated requirement. If not, that’ll give you ammunition to insist on allowing your buffet. If there is, you can request an exception (get it in writing!) but if they say no you’re kind of stuck.
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  • N
    Just Said Yes September 2025
    Naty ·
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    I made sure to check the contract and it said nothing about the plated part. Which is kinda frustrating because I feel like they automatically assume that we knew. We trying to lower down our guest count as well.


    I never knew this part of wedding planning would be stressful.
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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Does the contract say anything about you having to use their caterer?
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  • LM
    Super December 2022
    LM ·
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    I wonder if the event room does not have space for multiple buffet lines and your many tables. You don't want your guests lined up for hours for food at 1 serving table. That would be a logistical nightmare and make a poor party.


    All I can suggest is to ask have you been to other weddings in your culture? If not, can you ask others what they've seen/ done and where they found an accommodating venue? I've once been to a very large South Asian Muslim wedding where guests were split by gender in 2 separate ballrooms. There was no dancing. They were able to serve buffet. Not sure if this applies to you though. Best wishes.
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  • LM
    Super December 2022
    LM ·
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    Also, cease texting which can be layden with emotion and is ultimately unprofessional. You want everything in writing in case there's future conflicts. Use email.
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  • N
    Just Said Yes September 2025
    Naty ·
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    No they just said that if I go outside it’ll be a extra charge per person
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  • N
    Just Said Yes September 2025
    Naty ·
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    I have gone to wedding with in my culture and his. They seemed like a regular wedding and you’re right. I totally stopped with the texting. I am although upset that there communication skills are not the greatest.


    And now I have people telling me to look else for the venue because of the rules they have etc. so no I am stuck because I don’t want loose the money we already put in it.
    I am one stressed out bride!!
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    If the venue has added restrictions not found in the contract, you can request that they return your deposit and cancel the contract since they are not permitting you to continue within your budget as defined in that contract. They may decide to accept your caterer and keep you as a client.

    This requires that you are acceptable to looking for another venue that possibly could work better regarding the catering.

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  • N
    Just Said Yes September 2025
    Naty ·
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    I was looking at the contract and the deposit is non refundable and if I try to fight them on it….they can take me to court?…👀👀 I didn’t read the fine print on that part.
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    Those are scare words if included in the contract. The option to start a court case is always available even if there is no reasonable court case. But, they could have the concern that they would spend time on a court case and then have to pay your deposit back anyhow, even if they filed the case in the first place. What I suggested is not a fight but rather is asking for a compromise for their violation of the contract -- if you have verified the added a new requirement.

    Anyhow, if they brought it to court and you lost, the only requirement should be that you lose your deposit -- which was lost anyhow.

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  • N
    Just Said Yes September 2025
    Naty ·
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    Yeah, that’s true. Do venues usually use those scare words? Just to scare there clients?


    I didn’t think that bringing in another caterer would be difficult. At times I feel like they put in a lot of hard stops to kinda make us use there people. When I’m reality it shouldn’t be like that you know.
    I come from an Hispanic background and I’m most cases for sweet 15s and wedding we cook for our own guest. So this whole new catering business is new to me and kinda wish I had some guidance on it uk.
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    The scare words could have been the idea of a lawyer helping to make the general contract. It is too bad that the venues have gotten both expensive and protective. But it also happens because of insurance requirements. The venue also may want to make it more difficult.

    It is too bad that the catering is more difficult than the options for the Quinceañera. Remember though that the contract terms are negotiable until you sign it -- even then, changes can be made by mutual agreement in writing.

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  • N
    Just Said Yes September 2025
    Naty ·
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    Yeah I know, unfortunately do to this issue we had to look at other venues and found one that would is willing to work with us and see our vision for our wedding date.
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    Just to be sure, it seems you have now avoided the difficulties that your original post described.

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