How To Successully Cater (And Save Money) For A Bridezilla's Wedding
So your best friend is getting married and she has turned into a major bridezilla. And for some reason, she has put you in charge of catering. You know a little bit about the process, but keep butting heads with her. What can you do? Follow these steps to calm her down and give her a great dinner.
Listen To Her Advice . . . No Matter What
The key to understanding a bridezilla is knowing that she is suffering from a control freak persona. This may be a regular problem or something that is only coming out at her wedding. Fighting a control freak is only going to end in heartache. So, listen to her catering plans, no matter what, and make sure to keep a list of everything she wants.
Does this mean you'll implement everything she says? Not necessarily. For example, she may want personal waiters for each table or for every steak to be served medium rare (because that's her favorite style); however, these suggestions may be beyond her budget and your means as a friend.
Find Ways To Save Her Money
Another aspect of catering that often brings out the rage of the bridezilla is food cost. The cost of the average wedding is around $26,000, which is enough to stress out any bride. That's why you should try to find food options that fit her goals and which save her money on catering bills.
For example, you can still serve a four-course meal of appetizers, salad, main dish, and dessert, but cut down on food costs. Avoid high-cost foods like seafood or caviar and focus on chicken alternatives. Avoid multiple food options, as this will only drive up costs on food that will go to waste.
Present The Plan Well In Advance
The controlling nature of the bridezilla stems from wanting everything to be perfect. Any type of variation will, understandably, greatly upset her. That's why you need to sit down with her well in advance and discuss the menu and the costs. This is also a good time to help let her know about any potential variations in her plan and why they are occurring.
During this discussion, bring up these salient points:
- The presentation of the meal
- The order food will be served
- The portion size of each meal
- The total costs
There's a good chance she will be upset by one or more aspects of your presentation. That's perfectly understandable: simply adjust them to suit her needs.
By working within the demands of the bridezilla and carefully managing food costs, you can help create a wedding meal that she'll never forget. And remember: she's your best friend. She totally deserves the best wedding experience possible. If you think that catering will be too much to handle, be upfront about it. Your friend may be okay with a professional caterer. Talk with a professional, like Marians Island Wide Catering, for more information.
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