It's a corkage disaster

[Dottydot]

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

Dottydot - would you relax!! You haven't done anything wrong, they mislead you and have caused you to mess up your wedding budget. And they probably did it so as to fill their restaurant on that day, probably not on purpose admittedly but..

The way I look at it is that if someone told you over the phone that it would be possible to bring your own wine, the chances are that they have allowed this before. Ergo they probably will allow you. They definitely should.

The truth of the matter is that you probably wouldn't have booked you wedding party(one of the most important days of your life) in their restaurant if you had thought that you would have to use their wine. So did they mislead you in order to get your business?...

Make a few salient point like the ones I've just made and I would be very surprised if you don't get to bring your own wine.

Just a thought though, how much corkage were they going to charge you as it can often be quite high for the very reason as they make most of their profits on booze so they don't want to encourage it!

You see that is what I would have said, if a) I was journo and b) I could type quickly.

One who spent most of her mis-spent youth working in restaurants

Well, I phoned.... and the PE person who left the message has gone on holiday for 2 weeks! The manager didn't know why she'd phoned/why I was phoning, so I didn't own up, just left it.

I know this wasn't the bravest approach, but it works for me - I'm just glad we've still got our lunch there at this stage!