Post # 1
Member
281 posts
Helper bee
Hey Bees,
So after months and years of searching we finally found the perfect venue for a very low cost in CA, but our catering company is giving us a hard time.
Even before we had our venue, we told our favorite Indian Restaurant that we want them to cater our wedding, and they agreed. I’ve been calling them and emailing them and they are ignoring me! I don’t know what to do. Our wedding is in October and the only reason why our venue agreed to let us bring in our own catering is because it was Indian and their catering company doesn’t cater Indian food.
I emailed other Indian restaurants in the area, but it’s just not the same. This place was our favorite restaurant and it’s not fair to be ignored like this.
Our budget is VERY low… Its $15,000 for the whole wedding and we can do it if this restaurant caters, but I am not sure what we’re going to do if they don’t cater…. I cant find another company that can cater for less than $6,000 for 200 people.
Sorry for venting, I am just freaking out…
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Post # 3
Member
668 posts
Busy bee
Same thing happened to me with our caterer. Turns out he just had more pressing issues to attend to and didn’t have the chance to respond to my latest emails. After two weeks went by without a reply from him I sent a firm but polite email explaining that if it wasn’t going to work out I needed to know because I would need to start looking for another vendor as our wedding was only 5 months away. It could be that your wedding is so far out for them they don’t see it as urgent? Have you tried calling or going in person to talk to the manager? Explain to them that while you know it is still many months away you would like to get it arranged now. And if not you will have to take your business elsewhere. Like the old car buying trick, if you threaten to walk away they will beg you to come back. But at the same time you don’t want to trust someone that is going to be flaky.
Be firm but friendly. You don’t want to be a pest and have them spit in your food.
GL
Post # 4
Member
8681 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I know it is stressful when people do not respond in a timely manner but your wedding isn’t until October and they are probably extremely busy at the moment with the christmas period (parties, work break ups etc) so just give it a rest until the new year and then get in contact. If they still don’t answer then why not have a date night at the restaruant and mention it then.
Post # 5
Member
1798 posts
Buzzing bee
Many wedding vendors are used to booking up to a year or more in advance. However, catering from a normal restaurant often runs on a much shorter timeline. So, while it seems to be getting late from the perspective of other wedding vendors, the restaurant may feel like it’s way too early.
I’d wait until after the holidays and then give them one last chance. Let them know that you understand it’s early, but you want to get the basic hammered out early on so you’ll have one less thing to worry about. If they don’t respond to that within 2 weeks, I’d assume they’re not interested in your business and choose someone else. I know you really like this place, but if can’t communicate with you now, it may lead to more headaches down the road.
Post # 6
Member
18 posts
Newbee
My caterer says to just contact him a month in advance… My wedding is in October as well. Just take a deep breath and try after the hoildays.
Post # 7
Member
281 posts
Helper bee
thank you ladies. I.am just the type of person to freak out for every thing…. im just really worried because even though this restaurant might not book a year in advance, the event rental company books a year in advance and we need to start ordering what we need already. ugh this whole wedding planning is too stressful especially on a tight budget.
Post # 8
Member
262 posts
Helper bee
I would check back in-person over the holidays. As people said, this is likely a very busy time for them, though I think it was a little unprofessional not to send you a quick email acknowledging your contact attempts…
Post # 9
Member
642 posts
Busy bee
I have no advice, but Indian food is such an awsome idea! In fact, I could go for some right now…yummmmy..
Post # 10
Hostess
11166 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
There is a difference between not rushing the details and blowing you off entirely. None of my vendors just didn’t respond, I don’t consider that professional. Sometimes they took three to four days to get back to me but one way or another they communicated.
I would suggest stopping by after the holidays and chatting with someone in person about the communication delays to ensure that they are in fact getting your emails and are aware of your needs. I wouldn’t be comfortable relying on a vendor that just didn’t respond.
Member