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  1.  
    • RebeccaH689
      CommentAuthorRebeccaH689
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    What do my fellow brides to be think about this?

    We're having a tiny wedding ceremony (just 4 guests) on the Thursday and then a huge friends-only party with a blessing on the Saturday.

    I'm in the process of sorting food for the party. We're having a seaside picnic catered by a small seafood restaurant. I emailed confirming the order and asking about how they'd like us to make a deposit/payment. The owner - who seems lovely - has replied saying "I don't need a deposit. You can pay on the day by cheque/cash or bank transfer."

    Is it just me or is that really weird? I'm more than happy to pay a deposit and the balance up front - in fact, that helps with our budgeting and makes me feel more secure that the catering is _definitely_ all sorted. Plus, I certainly don't want to be fussing around paying people on our big day!

    Do you think it's a bit odd? Perhaps there's a way to insist they take payment in advance? Help!
  2.  
    • Whovianbride
      CommentAuthorWhovianbride
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    maybe just say to them what you have said above, that you would prefer to pay in advance so you don't have to mess about on the day, and you know its already sorted. make sure you get some kind of receipt and contract

    Members signature icon
    Met June 2009 on my Birthday,Met again July 2009 and got
    together, May 2010 Moved in,Jan 2011 got pregnant,
    August 2011 Got our own place, 2011 Had our Baby Girl,
    Dec 2011 Got engaged, July 2015 Getting married! Yay!
  3.  
    • Glitterfairy
      CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
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    They are very trusting, not everyone would be like you. Maybe just point out that you'd rather get it out of the way before hand so no hiccups on the day.

    Members signature icon
    Our wedding day - 6 October 2012


  4.  
    • MrsC2bee
      CommentAuthorMrsC2bee
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I completely understand your feeling, we had a bouncy castle hire for daughter birthday and they never asked for deposit it made me worry til they turned up on the day, I'd ask them for a contract to protect you both and then ask if you can pay in instalments as will be easier for you. And maybe ask if you can pay by cheque day before or something as you don't want to be worrying on the day x
  5.  
    • RebeccaH689
      CommentAuthorRebeccaH689
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Thank you all for your advice.

    Thinking on it a little more, I was wondering if it might be something to do with them not wanting a paper trial for VAT reasons. Who knows!

    MrsC2bee - you're right, it's that general feeling of nervousness. Like, will they actually turn up with food for my guests or will I be scrabbling round in my wedding dress for cash to send someone to the chippy?!

    I reckon I'll do as you've all suggested and email her back tomorrow making it clear that paying in advance is our preference.

    Fingers crossed :)
  6.  
    • MrsC2bee
      CommentAuthorMrsC2bee
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Make sure you get a contract written up too so you have protection x
  7.  
    • michgib
      CommentAuthormichgib
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Yes definitely get a contract.
  8.  
    • CatherineR
      CommentAuthorCatherineR
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    We are paying certain people on the day like the hairdresser, make up artist, band, caricaturist etc. so sounds normal to me x

    Members signature icon
    Married my wife on 15.08.15
    Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)

  9.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    I think because it is a 'party' it seems more normal to pay for it on the day. You would assume they'd want a deposit but I don't think it's completely un-normal that they aren't asking for one. There will be certain things that we will need to pay for on the day/when we check out the next day x

    Members signature icon
    Happily married
    18th June 2016
    xx
  10.  
    • AprilS61
      CommentAuthorAprilS61
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    Think of it as going to a resaurant as a party of 6. You would pay at the end of your meal wouldn't you? I wouldnt worry about it.

    Members signature icon
    Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15


  11.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    Members signature icon
    Happily married
    18th June 2016
    xx
  12.  
    • Irishbride2be
      CommentAuthorIrishbride2be
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I agree with the girls above if it was for 65 people then they would need a deposit to buy in the food etc and Incase you cancelled it covers the extra cost of the food but it is only 6 people so if you cancelled the day before on them it wouldn't affect them food cost wise so I wouldn't worry about paying for it but I would get something in writing about timing and the order etc just to cover yourself xx

    Met my dream man on Halloween 2012
    Proposed to me in Spain 22nd July 2014
    Getting married 12 september 2015
    Marrying my forever best friend :-)
  13.  
    • lala "mod" bunni
      CommentAuthorlala "mod" bunni
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    i have been to several wedding where the band was pain on the night etc .... to help with your budgeting just have it all ready as though you were going to pay before and then just put it in an envelope and give to someone you trust to hand over on the day .

    is this food for the day of the ceremony or the huge friends party?

  14.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
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    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

  15.  
    • RebeccaH689
      CommentAuthorRebeccaH689
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Sorry if I wasn't clear, Irishbride and April - the food's for the reception (the party with 50 friends, no family). That's a lot of hungry people if the plans fall through!

    I've emailed to insist they take a deposit, just for my peace of mind so I know we've got them locked into the deal. Hopefully they'll be OK with that.

    I feel so silly being all like 'Please guys, just take my money!!!"
  16.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    It's a contract that I'd be wanting.

    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

  17.  
    • AprilS61
      CommentAuthorAprilS61
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    Oh I see! Well then yeah, you've done the right thing to insist :) fingers crossed.

    Members signature icon
    Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15


 

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