wedding crockery hire!?

sadz1

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what a reasonable amount to pay on hiring wedding crockery is? The wedding venue me and my fiance are looking at quoted us £900 just for crockery for 150 people on top of the catering, (not including serving plates/spoons /glasses etc) even if we want outside caterers, we are not able to allow them to provide the crockery for us. Is this a reasonable cost or are we being ripped off? We thought it was quite high, but we're new to all this so not sure.

Any help would be appreciated!!

sethsgran

I would expect approx £350 for plates, side plates, dishes and cutlery for 150. If you check out Youcan hire they email you with a quote. £900 seems far too much to me. Youcan hire will deliver and collect for a little more. After one of our childrens wedding we had them collect on the Monday and we didn't need to wash them just scrape and rinse. We then stacked them in the boxes provided etc. We had 200 at the reception which friends catered for so the whole day was family/friends run.

sexymouse

Glasses can be hired for free from waitrose:

http://www.waitrosedeliver.com/wdeliver/servlet/JSPs/shop/shopping_fs.jsp?siteCode=LO"

jen_br

As I said before this is not industry standard... Most venues come up with a PER PERSON cost... within this cost is:
Food, cutlery plates, staff, washing up, etc etc etc

So what are you being quoted for the food?

I feel that you are being very ripped off... and I can't see many caterers being comfortable using someone else's crockery knowing you are paying a surcharge for this.

Surely your room rental fee includes all that?

Also, If you do get the venue to do the food I would ask for a PER PERSON rate which will include everything. Are you havinga buffet? or plated dinner?

Here is anormal practice:

Room Hire XXXX
Food XXXXX -
etc

Are you sure they are not charging you a DEPOSIT which you will get back? because that is standard practice..

sadz1

Hi again

I sent you a message not sure if you got it? They are charging a fee of £12 for a plated dinner per person, this does not include drinks. It is an Indian wedding so slightly different set up, the food comes out on a selection of serving plates onto the table, 3 mains, 3 starters and 2 desserts...the dry hire is £5000...I can email you the break down if you're willing to have a look?

Thanks again, appreciate all your help

jen_br

Yes email me the dryhire.. I think i know the problem....
i will send you my email address..

jen_br

Sent you my email... I live with another hotel chef we have the wedding packages all here.. .I can compare and get back to you I think i may know what is goig on.


Please stay online for 20 min as well so I can ask you allt he questions I need to...

Horace

I am in the process of organising an anniversary dinner for 150 people and have been quoted for the following:

soup, roast chicken, dessert, coffee with mints £16.00 per head to include all crockery, glasses, cutlery, napkins - wine is extra, serving staff are included in the price too.

All the prices I have ever had for catering and crockery hire have been per person.

Ask them for a breakdown of that £900 they want to charge you and ask them for a per person price to include catering seeing as they won't allow you to use outside caterers.

sadz1

Thanks for the help guys. Jen I have emailed you the quote...

jen_br

Okies just looked at your email... You are paying 37.00 a head thats for food service (crockery staffing, tables etc Everything but room hire.) then you have your room hire which is 1/2 of your bill. I dont believe 37.00 is too expensive for what your getting. Its your room hire that is killing you.

after seeing that you have picked a very ritzy place and geographically its known to be very ritzy.

Few things that are making the cost as high as they are...

1) the room you chose has a HIGH capacity your having 150 guests it suits 700-1500 guests.. therefore there will be a minimum spend on it. (hence the room charge of 5k)
--Suggestion go for the other rooms cheaper rate. Cheshire barn room has a room charge of 300 ppl and does 160 people for the breakfast.

2) I feel that the food is cheap. I would be negotiating a different room or ask for the room hire to be lowered.

Any questions?

Failing that I would chose another location.Most caters have their own crockery etc. I think this venue doesn't want you to go outside and stay inside for food etc.

sadz1

Thanks no no questions, that's really helpful, might consider moving into one of the rooms... :T