Wedding Paying for a food tasting at our venue?

[modernsparkler]

So, we are in the process of choosing our entrees to taste at our venue in a few weeks and we got the selection sheet from our on site coordinator and there is a $25 per person tasting fee. Not even including tip or beverages. I was pretty shocked as we will be spending a lot of $ on our reception food and beverages for passed apps, a seated dinner, and possibly an open bar. I guess I just never expected to have to pay for the tasting. Is this normal and something I should have expected as just another fee from the wedding industry?

 

[Haven]

I''ve heard of venues charging pp for tastings. Our caterer didn''t charge, but I have to say that it is definitely worth it to taste your food before you settle for a venue. Bad wedding food ruins the mood, and unfortunately, it''s rampant!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Did you request a special tasting, or are you going to a large tasting?

Some venues offer 2 tastings quaterly for brides that is complimentary with a signed contract. I know this is really popular with hotels, and banquet halls. There is usually a cap on the number of guests you can host...usually about 4, I believe.

But, if you''ve requested a private tasting, then I think paying is just part of it...like going out to eat. There is a lot of food that goes into a tasting, and you''re going to get **everything** from soup to dessert.

It''s worth paying for...and I highly suggest you move forward with the tasting.

 

[modernsparkler]

The coordinator does these individual tastings for every wedding- ours is just routine. We are definitely going to do it but it I just wanted to check on the policy. I don''t mind paying for it, but I was just a bit surprised!

 

[neatfreak]

I''ve heard of some places charging unfortunately...

 

[Sparkalicious]

Modernsparkler - It''s surprising to me as well. I haven''t heard anything about this from my venue as yet but I would certainly prefer if they just included this "fee" in with the overall venue charge b/c you are already paying a lot so it does tend to feel a bit like nickel and diming when they charge you for something else, right, especially something as essential as a tasting, once you''ve already signed a contract and it''s a done deal.

Sorry about the charge but I''m sure that you will enjoy it! I hope it is delicious!!

 

[Octavia]

It really depends on the venue or caterer. FI and I were lucky that both caterers we were considering did free tastings, but they aren''t associated with any particular venue so I think they try harder to get business. One venue we were initially thinking of looking at charged a $75 tasting fee but applied the fee to the overall cost if you booked with them. Other venues/caterers charged a smaller fee but didn''t apply it to the booking fee. Luck of the draw, really...I am surprised that they''re expecting you to pay extra for beverages and tip, though, unless you''re renting out a restaurant for your reception.

 

[kittybean]

I''ve heard of some places charging if it''s more than two people

. Usually, though, it''s free for two people unless you want a huge variety of food. Most venues I talked to said it was free for four to six people for a couple variations on the meal they plan to serve.

I''d probably pay the charge at your venue, but you could always point out that other venues or caterers you know of do not require guests to pay for a tasting, especially once they have the venue or caterer under contract. Maybe they''ll feel embarrassed and waive the charge.

 

[mrsv]

That seems a little odd to me.....How many people are you bringing with you?

 

[goldenstar]

My venue charges for tastings. Its a resort with an upscale restaurant on site.

 

[Sabine]

Ours was free for 2 meals, but if we wanted to try more than that or have the same meals for more than 2 people, we had to pay.

 

[kstar512]

Our venue charges whatever the cost per person is. I am still deciding whether I am going to do it. Anything wedding related is so inflated, price wise, that even if you are not being charged, I am sure the vendor has that calculated in their price.

 

[modernsparkler]

Guess I should not have been too surprised, it is just that I feel like the wedding industry is squeezing every penny they can get! It is at a nice golf club and there was no mention of the fee until I was sent the selection menu. We have already paid our deposit and the wedding will definitely be there, so it is not a tasting to decide if we want to go there. The tasting paperwork says that you can have a total of 6, but it will just be myself and FI and my parents.

 

[choro72]

Our places charged us for tasting too, and we were surprised. We had to pay 75% of the full price that they charge for the guests. I guess it''s fair. It was me, FI, and both FILs. Between the four of us, we chose three main dishes that we wanted to try. They still gave each of us drinks, salads, and desserts. We like them a lot, so we thought it was worth it. It still sucks to pay though, I understand...

 

[LauraBabe08]

I know that my caterer charges for a tasting. I think its the cost of the dinner which will be about $120 pp. FI and I are not tasting the food b/c we know our caterer is excellent and we don''t really have time to drive to PA just for that.