Wedding buffet disappoonting

eddddy

macman wrote: »

Why did you not complain at the time?

Probably because it was the OP's wedding reception.

I think it's reasonable not to want to interrupt your wedding celebrations, in order to start a dispute with the caterer.

macman

eddddy wrote: »

Probably because it was the OP's wedding reception.

I think it's reasonable not to want to interrupt your wedding celebrations, in order to start a dispute with the caterer.

I think it is, if the food supplied is so inadequate that the guests are practically eating the table decorations. Perhaps not the OP herself, but a friend or family member could have complained on her behalf. Waiting until after the event, though very British, does greatly weaken any case for compensation.

eddddy

macman wrote: »

I think it is, if the food supplied is so inadequate that the guests are practically eating the table decorations. Perhaps not the OP herself, but a friend or family member could have complained on her behalf. Waiting until after the event, though very British, does greatly weaken any case for compensation.

Hmmm... interesting idea.

So if you go to a friend or family wedding, were the bride has arranged the catering, you would take it upon yourself to complain to the caterer about the amount of food - with no idea about how much food the bride has ordered. That could be very embarrassing for the bride, if that's all she's ordered!

Or before you go to weddings, do you always ask about the contractual terms of the catering in advance?

Or do you envisage a game of 'Chinese whispers' with you running between the bride and the caterer - trying to establish who said what on the phone, and what the contractual agreement was?

macman

I suggested another family member: best man, chief bridesmaid...etc etc. OP says discreetly to this person, 'this buffet is inadequate for 43 people, I ordered xyz, please could you pop out and speak to the caterers for me?'
Better than suffering in silence, saying nothing, and then wanting compo after the event. The caterers could possibly have done something at the time, but they weren't asked to.

hollydays

macman wrote: »

I suggested another family member: best man, chief bridesmaid...etc etc. OP says discreetly to this person, 'this buffet is inadequate for 43 people, I ordered xyz, please could you pop out and speak to the caterers for me?'
Better than suffering in silence, saying nothing, and then wanting compo after the event. The caterers could possibly have done something at the time, but they weren't asked to.

Realistically, who would want to
Do this??No one in their right mind.

Fosterdog

hollydays wrote: »

Realistically, who would want to
Do this??No one in their right mind.

Actually I've been in this exact situation at a wedding where the buffet was nowhere near enough for all the guests and not what was ordered. The bride got a bit upset, mother of the bride calmed her and spoke to the caterer (they did in house catering) caterer got very snappy and arguementative, mother then complained to venue owner who agreed it was wrong. She apologised, gave an extra free bottle of wine to each table and although they were out out of buffet food and had no time to prepare it all she got the caterer to make two batches of curry, one chicken and one vegetarian. Not ideal but meant at least the rest of the guests got fed.

hollydays

Fosterdog wrote: »

Actually I've been in this exact situation at a wedding where the buffet was nowhere near enough for all the guests and not what was ordered. The bride got a bit upset, mother of the bride calmed her and spoke to the caterer (they did in house catering) caterer got very snappy and arguementative, mother then complained to venue owner who agreed it was wrong. She apologised, gave an extra free bottle of wine to each table and although they were out out of buffet food and had no time to prepare it all she got the caterer to make two batches of curry, one chicken and one vegetarian. Not ideal but meant at least the rest of the guests got fed.

Mother of the bride has often paid for the wedding so she's in a prime position but in the ops case ....

macman

hollydays wrote: »

Realistically, who would want to
Do this??No one in their right mind.

I have to disagree. By doing nothing, the guests remained hungry. Compensating the OP financially now will not remedy that. Surely a family member would want to help resolve the problem on the day?
It's very similar to going on holiday, then waiting until you come home before complaining about the food. Too late.