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Original poster

What's the worst meal you've been served at a wedding?

703 replies

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 06/09/2021 22:43

I'm veggie so unfortunately have had my fair share of shitty wedding meals as the vegetarians often seem to get shafted but this one takes the biscuit. Fancy wedding, very expensive and exclusive venue, meat eaters had a feast and it looked amazing, I was served......a grilled mushroom, and it was cold. This place is probably £100 per head at the very least and the best they could rustle up for a vegetarian was a mushroom. So, make me feel better, what's the worst meal you've been served?
This is meant to be light hearted 🐱

OP posts:
WheelieBinPrincess · 09/09/2021 09:17

Seems the Jain religion have quite strict rules on eating root vegetables. Not clear why. But there are only 25,000 practising Jains in the U.K. so most of us have probably never come across it.

Mumofsons87 · 09/09/2021 09:22

Irish weddings are always a champagne reception with canapés then a four course sit down followed by late night buffet and cake, I've never been less than stuffed and I never remember the cake lol. I couldnt cope with the worry of a buffet running out! I've put on buffets for my kids christenings and I always order for more numbers than actually invite. And this business about a show cake is mad! I wonder are they those fake foam cakes covered in icing! Talk about cut backs! Only invite as many people as you can aford to feed for goodness sake!

seeingdouble2 · 09/09/2021 09:29

Some of these Shock

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General food Weddings
LegendaryReady · 09/09/2021 09:32

@WheelieBinPrincess

Seems the Jain religion have quite strict rules on eating root vegetables. Not clear why. But there are only 25,000 practising Jains in the U.K. so most of us have probably never come across it.
Fascinating. I looked it up. It's because micro organisms can be harmed in extracting the roots from the ground. Although it does say this practice is only for monks and nuns.
Lifetheuniverseandeverything · 09/09/2021 09:38

It’s upsetting when people moan about a dry wedding when there was alcohol, just not enough for the binge drinkers

dannydyerismydad · 09/09/2021 10:28

This thread makes me sad and furious in equal measure. Weddings are not cheap. The cost per head most wedding venues charge they should absolutely be able to provide sufficient food for all guests, and kitchen staff should be able to cater for allergies and dietary needs.

I've never left a wedding hungry, although I have had my fair share of bland chicken and rubber quiches.

NotPersephone · 09/09/2021 10:28

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TheWoleb · 09/09/2021 10:42

@Bec21

What difference would knowing beforehand have made? Would you have turned up drunk in preparation to get through the day?
It would have made no difference and going one event without getting drunk really isnt a big deal.

NotPersephone · 09/09/2021 10:47

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WheelieBinPrincess · 09/09/2021 10:48

I’d certainly like to know beforehand if I was going to a sober wedding.

Bec21 · 09/09/2021 10:50

[quote TheWoleb]@Bec21

What difference would knowing beforehand have made? Would you have turned up drunk in preparation to get through the day?
It would have made no difference and going one event without getting drunk really isnt a big deal.[/quote]
No, I wouldn't have turned up drunk!
But most (that I've been to) involve wine to toast the meal & drinks afterwards. & couple/family of the wedding weren't tee-total, so just not expected

Backwaterjunction · 09/09/2021 10:58

We had a massive carvery for 110 people, and honestly they could have gone around again there was so much food, people loved it and so many thanked us that they had proper choices, could get what they wanted and just relax.

I just had one rule about the wedding, everything must be paid for before the day, no bills no credit nothing no debt.

Over the years since people still talk about the whole day and how good it was compared and we spent about half what the going rate was and what far less than a close persons wedding, that was a stress hell of money, changing arrangements, constant hassle for 18 months MIL interventions and falling out uptight on the day nonsense that was still being paid 5 years later

SpiritofEdna · 09/09/2021 11:27

Just had a flash back to the worst wedding I have ever been to. It was held in an old armoury in the depths of a freezing winter. The reception was in what looked like a cave and the way in was an uneven passage, lit only by candles; so all the older relatives were tottering around. Toilets were outside and were grim. It was freezing and claustrophobic. But the meal was a hog roast in a very small section of the 'cave' and no-one could see each other through the haze of burning meat and there was no vegetarian option, so I nibbled on some red pepper garnish! I left because once I had made the trip to the loo, I could not face going back in and I remember driving round in desperation trying to find somewhere open to get some food after and ended up with hotel biscuits and taking hours to warm up after. I should have just said no to the invite I just didn't know how to without offending (it would be different now!)

DPotter · 09/09/2021 11:28

Our friends had no idea how awful the food and lack of drink (any fluids at all) had been for anyone other than the Top table.

They must have been served the same food?

I'm not actually sure. We had the traditional dried up piece of roast chicken , a roast potato or 2, bit of veg, all cold, and the cardinal sin - no gravy. On a table of 10 - one bottle of wine for the whole meal, toasts everything, nothing non alcoholic, no water despite asking for some. Not allowed into the bar (posh golf club).

Hence the joke about 'dry' wedding - no fluids of any description.

My DP, who knows his way around a golf club, found the spike bar and bought drinks around, but he had to blag his way in.
But my point is - the family didn't realise. And a more hospitable family would be difficult to find. They honestly though the wine was flowing, the food amazing. They'd been charged for the wine to flow and for amazing food but it didn't happen.

rookiemere · 09/09/2021 11:47

Yeah our wedding venue deliberately held back on the fizz and wine we had paid corkage for. Was not happy when they handed back bottles the next morning.

ManifestDestinee · 09/09/2021 12:05

@Mumofsons87

Irish weddings are always a champagne reception with canapés then a four course sit down followed by late night buffet and cake, I've never been less than stuffed and I never remember the cake lol. I couldnt cope with the worry of a buffet running out! I've put on buffets for my kids christenings and I always order for more numbers than actually invite. And this business about a show cake is mad! I wonder are they those fake foam cakes covered in icing! Talk about cut backs! Only invite as many people as you can aford to feed for goodness sake!
No they aren't. Hmm
nonsensenow · 09/09/2021 12:11

My worse was a roast dinner. No starter, main was one tiny slice of chicken, 2 roast potatoes, about 10 peas and one carrot baton. Dessert was melon.

We were starving! Wedding was at 12, so no lunch before, then the evening buffet wasn't until 9. That turned out to be bacon sandwiches, half of one each.

I think we over compensated at our wedding. Canapés on arrival. Huge sharing platters (seafood to start, roast lamb, potatoes dauphinois and veg), then dessert. Alternatives for allergies/preferences went down well too. We had a pizza van for the evening, where we said assume a whole pizza per person.

GreyhoundG1rl · 09/09/2021 12:12

@Bec21

Not food, but drink related. Once went to a 'dry' (as in no alcohol) wedding. It would have been fine if we'd have known beforehand but we didn't
Yes, that would take most people by surprise, tbf.
Malin52 · 09/09/2021 12:41

@Lifetheuniverseandeverything

It’s upsetting when people moan about a dry wedding when there was alcohol, just not enough for the binge drinkers
There's always one who thinks that if you fancy more than one thimble of wine you are an alcoholic. Weddings are supposed to be celebrations. Champagne and wine and indulgences are part of that, as is the hosting of the wedding party, so when the hosting is limited or feels a little stingy it falls a bit flat. It's just bad form.

It's a bit like being invited for Xmas and being disappointed that you got a cheese sandwich and chocs were limited to two Quality Street each and screeching that 'food was available, just not enough for the obese people and greedy types'.

If you can't afford/don't want to host, don't host. Or be clear about your hosting limitations.

DressBitch · 09/09/2021 13:25

I did two shifts as a waitress for a wedding caterer.

The wait staff stole a lot of champagne and wine both times.

NotPersephone · 09/09/2021 13:30

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SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 09/09/2021 13:57

"I think one of the problems is that wedding venues and caterers see pound signs and basically rip of the happy couple. The bride & groom aren't being cheap - they being ripped off."

I think you are absolutely right here, @DPotter. It seems as if venues see the word 'wedding' and automatically add a zero to the price of everything, but then provide as little as they think they can get away with. And they do get away with it because most people aren't going to complain on the day, and the bride and groom may not notice, because the day goes past so quickly, everything is a blur.

theleafandnotthetree · 09/09/2021 14:05

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

"I think one of the problems is that wedding venues and caterers see pound signs and basically rip of the happy couple. The bride & groom aren't being cheap - they being ripped off."

I think you are absolutely right here, @DPotter. It seems as if venues see the word 'wedding' and automatically add a zero to the price of everything, but then provide as little as they think they can get away with. And they do get away with it because most people aren't going to complain on the day, and the bride and groom may not notice, because the day goes past so quickly, everything is a blur.

I call it the Wedding Industrial Complex.
NotPersephone · 09/09/2021 14:14

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IM0GEN · 09/09/2021 14:42

@Mumofsons87

Irish weddings are always a champagne reception with canapés then a four course sit down followed by late night buffet and cake, I've never been less than stuffed and I never remember the cake lol. I couldnt cope with the worry of a buffet running out! I've put on buffets for my kids christenings and I always order for more numbers than actually invite. And this business about a show cake is mad! I wonder are they those fake foam cakes covered in icing! Talk about cut backs! Only invite as many people as you can aford to feed for goodness sake!
I wish I was Irish . I might move there.