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Original poster

It's a corkage disaster

29 replies

Dottydot · 08/07/2006 19:52

Just need to have a grumble... Went to Pizza Express yesterday to sort out the post-wedding lunch arrangements, and the manager casually told us head office has said no to us bringing our own wine. We'd been to Aldi that morning and nearly bought it - they didn't phone to let us know, and now it means our budget is completely blown, as their house red and white are £11 a bottle.

It'll have to go on the credit card, and at least we've got one, but just means it's the rest of the year paying it off, instead of having to find £100 which is much easier.

Sigh. I know there are worse things, but I burst into tears the minute we left - can't help feeling it's a sign of disastrous things to come - and it's 2 weeks today!

Right - grumble over

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moondog · 08/07/2006 19:57

Bummer.
Can you just provide one glass for each person?
Will keep costs down.
People really do understand that unlimited fee booze is generally not viable.

WishICouldGiveUpWork · 08/07/2006 19:57

Oh Dotty-what a shame!

ANy chance of calling their bluff and saying "well blah blah establishment has offered us their house wine at £x or a charge of £x for corkage?
Isn't there ANYTHING you could do as we would really like to haev our "do" here but it is making things very difficult"
Any friends you have with "doe eyes" could come in quite useful at this point or failing that a pitying call to head office.
So hope it all sorts itself out.

marthamoo · 08/07/2006 20:02

The rotten sods - did they lead you to believe that bringing your own wine wouldn't be a problem? If so, I reckon a stinky phone call/email to head office is in order.

Agree with moondog - I'm sure if you explain people would be happy to buy their own wine - just pay for a 'toast' glass for everyone.

It's not a portent of impending doom on the day

sobernow · 08/07/2006 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moondog · 08/07/2006 20:10

That's a NICE IDEA Sobernow!
I'd be temptedto tell PE to feck off too,especially if they led you to believe you could provide booze?
Breach of contract surely?

Original poster
Dottydot · 08/07/2006 20:31

Sigh. Oh I don't know - it seems so near to the day itself to start changing all the arrangements. I'm just fed up and Mumsnet is such a good place to have a rant!

They're being really good about other stuff - re-arranging their entire layout to accommodate us, getting balloons, ribbon, flowers all free of charge, getting highchairs from other branches etc.etc. It's just the bloody wine - the manager had agreed over the phone that we could do it and we've put on the invites that we'd provide wine so we'll deinitely have to buy it.

Ho hum - could be worse - I rolled home after a works do at 2.30am today, completely plastered, and then realised I'd not got my keys, so had to phone dp to wake her up to let me in... So the good news is she's still marrying me!!

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SherlockLGJ · 08/07/2006 20:40

When we arranged our wedding, the Duty Manager agreed to corkage, the manager who came in on the Monday said, No way José , eh my name is not José, anyway I digress..............I got on the phone to the secretary of the Managing Director of the chain, I must have just struck gold because she put me through to the MD.

And I quote............."If you were promised corkage, corkage you shall have.

Got a call from the hotel an hour later, the Manager in a very stilted voice, said I believe the corkage has been reinstated.

Possibly worth a phone call, saying how wonderful the branch are being etc., but that they have two choices, they take your corkage money or they accept that the bar takings are going to be negligible.

Original poster
Dottydot · 08/07/2006 20:42

ooh - that's worth a try I think. I really don't want to piss off the PE branch, 'cos at the end of the day we're not hiring the restaurant so they could reject the booking and we'd be screwed. But if I phone to say how brilliant they're being but there's just this one problem...

Fab - will give it a go on Monday.

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SoupDragon · 08/07/2006 20:43

Nothing to do with the corkage but I assume you sorted out your dress??

FrannyandZooey · 08/07/2006 20:43

Dottydot, if they agreed it over the phone, I think you should definitely take it further. The booking is all agreed, it is too late to change things, they must stick to the original plan. Do ask the manager who his or her superior is and speak to them. Take it all the way to the top if you have to - surely they will relent.

Original poster
Dottydot · 08/07/2006 20:51

Yes - outfits are all sorted! I got a long cream heavy cotton skirt and a goldy crinkly shiny shirt - it looks wedding-y but isn't too over the top - and is lovely and comfy and I'll be able to scoop kids up and it won't be a disaster when bits of pizza start flying around! Will post a photo after the day! Dp's got a white linen suit and the boys have got little gorgeous cream/white suits - ds1's particularly proud of his waistcoat!

I'm having a small bouquet of cream roses as well!! (love talking about the clothes - cheers me up as at least that's all sorted out!)

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SoupDragon · 09/07/2006 17:31

Fabulous. To think you were talking about wearing an old frock

SherlockLGJ · 09/07/2006 18:04

She wasn't was she ???

Original poster
Dottydot · 09/07/2006 21:23

I would have worn it if I could get into it!!! It's a beautiful dress that I've only ever worn once, when I happened to be ill and therefore had lost loads of weight! The big plan was to go on a diet to get back into it - I'm currently 3lbs heavier than when I started it!

Much happier today 'cos I've ordered my flowers - a lovely small handheld posy of cream roses - nothing fancy, but I love roses and it's silly but I've just always wanted to carry some flowers at my wedding, so I'm all happy!

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expatinscotland · 09/07/2006 21:26

Aw, dot! That's cool!

I like weddings! Especially when there's wine at them .

SherlockLGJ · 11/07/2006 19:59

Did you ring them ..................?????

Original poster
Dottydot · 11/07/2006 21:47

Tried yesterday, left a message, nice woman has left a message back today but we keep missing each other! Will try again tomorrow - she's got a nice helpful American accent on the phone message so I'm slightly hopeful (and insane).

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SherlockLGJ · 11/07/2006 21:56

Fingers crossed.

SherlockLGJ · 13/07/2006 18:04

Any news ??

Original poster
Dottydot · 13/07/2006 18:07

sigh... I spoke to nice American woman who said I needed to speak to Mr operations manager for Manchester and that he'd phone me. That was yesterday morning and no call - although I've been at home today. Back in work tomorrow so will check for messages, but I don't have his direct line.

Will probably be very pathetic and not pursue...

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SherlockLGJ · 13/07/2006 19:12

PURSUE

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/07/2006 09:14

Aarrggghhhhhh!!!! Panic, panic, hyperventilate...

Got to work this morning and there's a message on my machine from our PE manager saying they've had a phone call from head office and they know I phoned them re: corkage and can I call them.

AARRGGGHHHHHH. Worst fear - they're going to cancel the whole thing/they hate me/they'll spit in all our food/PANIC.........

And I can't find out until they open at 11.30am!

Sherlock - I blame you entirely for this - where do you live - the reception's moving to your place!!!

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SherlockLGJ · 14/07/2006 09:18

It will be fine, and breathe.................

SherlockLGJ · 14/07/2006 09:20

I can not believe they would do that, and if they do,(and they won't) you threaten to go to the papers.

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/07/2006 09:24

Go to the papers!!!!!!! Oh yes, dp - who is blissfully unaware of all of this - would love that - a week before our wedding!

Calm.... (can you tell I don't do 'calm' very well under pressure?!).

OK. Will phone them at 11.30am and get ready to grovel. I didn't complain to head office - in fact told them how fab they'd been, but just was there any leeway on the corkage. (and that's just what I'll tell them).

I'm off to make a coffee - not a chance of getting any work done this morning so I might as well mooch round the office.

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