to think that food doesn't cost more just because it is a Wedding not a party??

[FoofFighter]

Looking for caterers for a wedding evening reception and most of the menus we've been looking at charge more for the same food on their party menus, just because it's a wedding!
Why? [fume]

Shall we be sneaky and book it as a party??

I heard, antecdotally, that someone booked a Christening at a Venue, to save THOUDANDS, but obviously turned up in their wedding finery.

Cue a very pizzed orf Venue.

Can not remember the outcome though.

Its an utter mickey take. Very little difference in the venue's input whatever the occasion.

it's outside caterers not the venue though, this is what I don't get? I could understand if it was a venue - well a bit anyway, still a rip off.

When we were getting quotes for the catering for our wedding I said party
/reception until I had the quotes then casually introduced the wedding details!

Suppliers hear the 'W' word and instantly assume that the couple will pay whatever because it's for a once in a lifetime crap meal (that they won't even be able to eat much of because of residual adrenalin), buffet of hot meals for a 50th? Fiver a head. Ohhh for a wedding? £20 per head. OH RIGHT.
Same for anything else. Bunch of flowers? £10. Ohhh it's for a bride to carry? £90.
Made me angry!

absolutely. we are being ripped off as I type by our venue and we do know it but for some god knows what reason are going along with it. The food they will serve id very nice, but no better than I've had in restaurants for half the price. In theory weddings should be easier to cater because exact numbers and menus are known in advance but apparently not!

Hmmmm.

Do I risk the caterers bogging off and taking all the food with them if I book for a party and it's a wedding? Do they turn up and drop off the food or stay with it to set it out (never done a wedding with outside catering, always been the rip off package deals) - if they drop it off they'll never know anyway?

When booking: "It's a surprise 75th birthday party for Aunt Flo, who's coming over from Canada."

Last minute: "Oh, we decided to make it our wedding day too as we know Aunt won't be able to afford to come over from Canada a second time this decade."

oooh I like your style there

Do it! :o

Yanbu I booked lots of things for my wedding (in a marquee in pil's garden), as a party just so rates weren't inflated. One "friend" wanted £500 for us to use his classic car for the day. We were totally and said thanks but that's out of our budget and just spruced up fil's car with a ribbon.

We did the same with our wedding. The hotel was offering free venue for functions on Friday nights. We told them we were having a Halloween party and the room was confirmed.

We went back to them a week later and told them that we had decided to have a halloween wedding, they then told us that a wedding meant the room was no longer for free and we had to pay for the wedding service.

Fortunately a friend of a friend of the hotel stepped in and we still got the room free but with all the wedding extras thrown in for free

NEVER mention the word "wedding" when asking for quotes/booking these things (especially flowers) - the price rockets! Just let them think you are having nice family party (anniversary maybe) - by the time they realise you will be in mid party.

Don't be silly, it's a wedding.

Food costs more, drinks cost more, the clothes cost more.

Why would you tell them its for a wedding anyway? It may be a wedding but its fundamentally a party

Book it for a party. When you get there you tell them it's a post wedding ceremony party

iscream - aaaah you got there first. This was so much my experience as well.

wedding flowers sketch

YANBU!!!! Never mention the W word!!

I had a quote of £600 for my cake! I emailed back saying that they were three separate cakes for different parties, cost was halved! They were all different flavours though. I found a wedding caterer who made it for £120, cheaper than a m&s cake....it was the best cake ever!
One place wanted to charge silly money for my bouquet, another couldn't do it as they didn't have the staff for a wedding, I only wanted a bouquet! Went to a small florists, they a wildflower one and a rose for my hair for £15.
It's ridiculous! But keep preserving, you'll find sensible people eventually.

Why does food and drink cost more, sashh? serious question, not being sarky i can see how a wedding dress would cost more but does bread cost more? chicken? salad? cheesecake? Is there special wedding bread or something? Surely the cost of food is the cost of food, whether it is served at a wedding or any other party?

and a wedding reception really is just a party anyway.

Ooo, this kind of thing really annoys me.

When I got married, I went to a local hairdressers to get my hair washed and curled. I told them I was going to a wedding, which was obviously totally true! They decided the trainee could do it. About halfway through, my mum walked in and said to the girl that she was just coming in to see how the bride was getting on The girl did a face and snuck off for a quick chat with the manager. They charged me £50!!! For washing my hair, drying it and wrapping a few bits round some curling tongs I really wish I had confirmed how much before they started and banned my mum from opening her mouth

When we booked our wedding reception we said it was a family get together. But it helped that we had a registry office wedding and no-one was in full weddingy clothes. Just looked like a family reunion or something.

I'd have refused WoW.

But it has to be sprinkled with love and fairy dust for a wedding, and that fairy dust aint cheap