Need help with negotiating

alina Posted: May 28, 2003 12:00 PM

Need help with negotiating

Well, it looks like we might be under our minimum by a lot.

We guaranteed 100, currently have 68 'Yes', with another 15 people for replies outstanding. That would bring us up to about 85, and I guess I could add vendors, so now I'll be at 95.

Can I negotiate something for the 5 person's not being there? What about assuming not everyone of those that has not RSVPed will come?

My hall offers a raw seafood bar for about $10 per person I think, which we originally didn't get. At what point would it be fair for us to ask for that (i.e. how many people under our minimum should we be in order for the raw seafood bar to be a fair trade for the hall, b/c I don't think they would do it for only 5 persons short).

I am bit upset now, especially after having invited 190 people

nrvbrd Posted: May 28, 2003 12:02 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

I say get the extras thrown in - Viennese table, seafood bar, ice sculpture adding extra time to your party. They will NOT give you your money back, so you do not want to lose out completely.

KarenK122 Posted: May 28, 2003 12:06 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

I would figure how much extra money you would be spending (ie 5 people below min at $100 pp would be $500) and then figure out what extras at your hall would be around that price and present that to the hall. So that way neither you or the hall is laying out anything extra.

Good luck.

ChristineC68 Posted: May 28, 2003 12:08 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

You, your FH and vendors you are feeding are counted toward your final head count.

Depending on your per plate charge and the number you are short will determine what type of upgrades you should be eligible for. I am sure this happens a lot, talk to your catering manager and see what they have to offer.

I'm sorry you are going through this

Sassyz75 Posted: May 28, 2003 12:10 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

It depends on their mood too.. I used to work in catering and I usually didn't negotiate on minimums because they were agreed upon. The way I saw it is I would have booked a party with that minimum anyway- so I am losing out if a deal is given (not my opinion- just how we worked) I know when I did throw in something it was extra cookies or something.. NOT ever the seafood bar .

SomedayBride Posted: May 28, 2003 12:14 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

I agree with Karen's formula, of figure out how much you're paying, then see what else would cost that much, but I really doubt that the catering hall will be so accommodating. Technically, you're bound to pay for 100 people, whether or not they show is pretty much your problem. So, while I think most halls will throw things in, I think if you're paying say, $1000 for people who aren't actually there, only expect the hall to give you $500-$700 worth of extras. But, it never hurts to ask.
Good luck!

alina Posted: May 28, 2003 12:16 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

I wish I could get the reception extended by 30 mins, but then my band has another committment at 7pm, so I doubt they would do it... That would be cutting it too close.

SomedayBride Posted: May 28, 2003 12:24 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

Are you having your ceremony there? Maybe you could have some sort of 'hospitality' time before the ceremony with champagne, or mimosas and coffee, fruit and small pastries? Does your hall offer something like this?

alina Posted: May 28, 2003 12:30 PM

Re: Need help with negotiating

We are having our ceremony at the hall, and they are already including champagne 30 minutes prior. Also, we have reversed the cocktail hour and ceremony order, so pastries before cocktail food doesn't sound good. But I will keep it in the back of my mind as an option for negotiating.