08.14.08

Am I crazy to expect an advanced tasting?

Posted in wedding planning at 4:09 pm by Pammy

Our first choice for our reception, as you probably already know, is the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The aquarium only works with one caterer, The Classic Catering People. So the only way to find out if the Aquarium reception is feasible, is to find out if the catering company is feasible as far as my budget goes.

I have gone back and forth with the AE in charge of the aquarium about everything from menu to budget. Keep in mind that I have never planned a wedding nor any other similarly large event that requires this much planning. So clearly, I don’t know what I’m doing, or what to expect. But I have read my share of bridal magazine and have seen maybe one too many episodes of “Whose Wedding is it Anyway?” There are certain things that this exposure has lead me to believe… that you can more often than not, stock your own bar, and to always be sure to request an advanced tasting from a caterer.

Before I contacted Classic, I did my research, I looked up articles on theknot.com to find out what kinds of things I should be asking the catering companies. Their suggestions included: find out what their specialty is, always ask for an advance tasting, and to ask for references. I called around to other caterers in the area, asking for menu samples and quotes. Most of the time, these businesses didn’t even want to send me these things without sitting down and meeting with my fiance and myself to talk about our favorite foods and about budget. I told them I am simply trying to figure out what to expect at this point, and if they could simply give me an estimate. All of them were nice enough to send this to me. All of them encouraged me to bring my own alcohol and have them serve it. All of them requested that I come in for a free tasting before signing a contract with them.

So I sure was surprised when I asked Classic these same questions and continually was answered No. No. And No. I am not allowed under any circumstances to stock my own bar. I am not allowed to restrict the number of adults getting bar service during the reception (even if drinking alcohol is against their religion and I know for a fact that they will not consume any), they don’t offer a comped bar option (you pay the full bar bill at the end of the night), and worse of all… they do not offer a tasting session until after you sign a contract with them and give them a down payment. Is it wrong for me to expect these things? How could anyone sign on with a company without ever experiencing their product? It would be like paying upwards of $10,000 for one of those brown paper “grab-bags” where you are completely unaware of their contents.

I get the feeling that Classic doesn’t care about my business. They were voted 2007 Caterer of the year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland. So I am sure that their word of mouth advertising is great, and they most likely do have great food. But how am I to know if I will like it? They don’t seem to be worried about my little old (slightly) budget conscious wedding. Is it weird that I think this catering company should be a little adaptable to my needs? This is my only catering option for the aquarium, and at this rate, it doesn’t look like it’s going to work out…

UPDATE:
Well it looks like my bad experience might turn into something much better! I am currently in conversation with Larry Frank, Vice-President and Partner at Classic, where it turns out that they are much more flexible than it originally seemed. Thanks Larry for reaching out to me even after reading my not so stellar review.

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