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Went really well until we started to talk about the other arrangements Our wedding planner asked how many people we are having in the evening & then proceeded to tell us we had to supply a buffet by law if we were to continue until midnight. We explained that we had never been told this & she said the law had changed last year, we also said that we'd put they'd be no food on the evening invitations & that the finish time was midnight. She offerred a cheapo package of cheese & pate for £5.50+VAT per additional guest but that is still £1200 which we don't have.
I've come into work today & trawled through my emails & I told them in June last year that we would not be requiring a buffet.
Also, on the initial contract they sent me (before the email) they had put buffet t.b.c. & I wrote N/A next to it.
I tried to arrange the food tasting in December (8 weeks before the date as advised by them) and they told me that to leave it until January would be fine. So here we are, 4 weeks before the sodding wedding and we can either pay more money for food that people aren't expecting (& therefore won't be eaten) or we must shut the bar at 11.
I know they're definitely in the wrong over this but the problem is that licensing law is flippin licencing law. As one of their customers though who had booked a function I really would have expected to be informed of any law changes that applied to my booking.
We are now waiting for them to come back with a compromise on the £5.50 cheese & pate but frankly we don't want or need any food.
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It is true that we don't know what we have till we lose it, but its also true that we dont know what we have been missing till it arrives
They should foot some of the bill for food - out of good will. I just hope they offer a more than reasonable compromise! £1200 is a hell of a lot of money for you just to be able to cough up on their say so.
If all else fails, if I were in your shoes, I think I would just arrange for the evening to finish at 11pm for your guests - as the night can & will continue for you and you're new hubby!
The people at your wedding venue are shocking for now having told you about these changes well in advance ~ do they really know about wedding planning?!
Wedding planning is stressful enough!
Thoughts are with you pet, let us know what they come back to you with.
Hugs, Karen xx
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Married my Best Friend 23rd April 2005
My beautiful son Ryan arrived 6th August 2006 at 7.10pm weighing 7lb 6oz
Jesus this sort of thing really piss*es me off.....you poor thing you must be so hacked off.
Now....firstly they are very wrong and sure its a law but its upto them to tell so
A) If you have to have food (as they say-is this law REAL? I've never heard of it) then they should provide it free
B) Ok, if not then just have nuts (is that classed as food?)
C) If none of this works then you may have to close the bar at 11pm but of course leave at 12 still (but buy some booze for that final hour ie bottles of wine for everyone not that they will need it then as they should be nicely trollied if its anything like ours )
No way should you spend any money that you have not agreed (and of course don't have with 4 weeks to go!)
And any better price than £5.50 for some bloomin cheese is £0 in my book
Stick to your guns hun and let us know what happens.
Blimey you poor thing, that sounds like a complete nightmare.
I've never heard of that law before but even if it is a new one, they should of informed you if it meant a change in the booking and your arrangements. Perhaps you could mention this to them and see what they say. It might be worth checking with someone that knows about licencing regulations as how come pubs and clubs don't have to provide food if they want to stay open till midnight or longer. I'd definately check this out and make sure that they are not just using it as an excuse to get more money from you.
If you really do have to have food to meet their regulations then ask if you can provide it yourselves as you could just have crisps, nuts and nibbly bits that won't cost too much.
You haven't agreed to spend this money and you shouldn't have to. It sounds like they are either using it as an excuse to get more from you or they made a mistake at the time of booking and then didn't let you know that food had to be provided in the evening. Out of goodwill and to make up for it they should provide the food. Five quid for some cheese is a bit steep.
Stick your guns and I hope you get it sorted out.
__________________ Teresa and Paul - 2nd October 2004
Sounds a bit bizarre to me - put some nuts on the bar - that should cover it.
At the end of the day, you've made your requirements very clearly known from the start and now they're throwing a spanner in the works.
I have to say i'd be tempted to print off your e-mails and take in your copies of the various forms you've filled them and tell them that you want your original deal or a very VERY good compromise (i.e. nuts on the bar )
Whatever happens I hope you get this sorted - sounds to me like they're trying to wrong foot you at the last minute thinking that in your panic you'd just agree!
Stick to your guns luv
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Saturday 16th June 2001 - St Catherine's Church,
Some people are like slinkies, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs
If you agreed this before the law changed then you should not have to pay for the extra food. It was NOT in the original contract you signed with them, and thet contract is still valid therefore you DO NOT have to pay I am sure!!!
As my husband on Sat he will be able to tell you, but I am POSITIVE you shouldnt have to pay this. They are just trying to take the p***
God that's awful. I think I'd definitely get some legal advice and then go see her armed with enough legal facts and sounding confident to make her realise she can't pull a fast one. I have never heard of any such law. Exactly when last year did this law change? I'm asking because my friend got married and had no food at her evening reception.
I have to add also, I booked my wedding last year ~ without confirming anything really to do with the night time do, we just said book it and we'll arrange other things nearer to the time etc.
It wasn't mentioned to us that it was law to have food if you are staying open till 12. It really doesn't make sense? Whats an hour later and food available got in common!
I hope you work things out, let us know honey!
Karen - xx
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Married my Best Friend 23rd April 2005
My beautiful son Ryan arrived 6th August 2006 at 7.10pm weighing 7lb 6oz
Hmmmm....to the untrained eye, it looks like they are talking out of their posteriors. Number one, what has food and a liquor licence got in common? Nothing in my book. I've never herad of anything like that before. When we got married, our meal was quite late in the day anyway, so no-one wanted to eat later, and the hotel were fine with that.
Also, if she said that the law had changed last year, was she able to tell you WHEN exactly? Because surely then if it had occured, say, in June last year (for example) then all the groovers who were married after that date would have known about it?
I just don't get the whole "you must eat" - what is it, food fascism?? To me it just looks like they're trying to pull a fast one and make more money, and if they have never notified you of the possibility of an extra charge, then they have no right springing it on you at the last minute. I'd check with Citizens Advice Bureau or someone before you make your next move.
Flippin' eejits!! Hope you get it sorted out, but it's the last thing you need. Don't pay it, whatever you do.
Mrs G xx
__________________ Diane & David, 9th September 2002, Carrickfergus Elim Church.
"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow."
"People will seldom remember the words you spoke but they will always remember how you made them feel."
Everyone has given great advice so wont add anything but didnt want to read and run.
I really hope you manage to sort it as its the last thing you need 4 weeks before your wedding day - i think they are chancing their luck so much and banking on you just agreeing to it as its so close.
Oh you must be so
Personally I've never heard of this law, I'd find out more if I were you! Sounds like they are trying to pull a fast one.
If it's going to cost you £1200 I would close the bar at 11pm. I am sure people would understand.
Laura
Venue (v.long)
Our wedding planner asked how many people we are having in the evening & then proceeded to tell us we had to supply a buffet by law if we were to continue until midnight. We explained that we had never been told this & she said the law had changed last year, we also said that we'd put they'd be no food on the evening invitations & that the finish time was midnight. She offerred a cheapo package of cheese & pate for £5.50+VAT per additional guest but that is still £1200 which we don't have.
It is true that we don't know what we have till we lose it, but its also true that we dont know what we have been missing till it arrives 
What an absolute nightmare!
Married my Best Friend 23rd April 2005 
My beautiful son Ryan arrived 6th August 2006 at 7.10pm weighing 7lb 6oz 
)
)
William Robert born 21st Dec06
Hope you get it sorted out, but it's the last thing you need. Don't pay it, whatever you do.
Diane & David, 9th September 2002, Carrickfergus Elim Church.
"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow." 
Lady Rools 
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