The "W" Word

Hello everyone!

Following on from "The White, Lacy Condom Dress and Others" I have continued in my hunt for Wedding suppliers and items. As before, since Mr. Warehouse keeps insisting that we can't afford a holiday this year I have thrown myself head first into Wedding Planning and so all of my focus and energy is being put into planning our dream day. However, with still so much left to plan and organise I tried to focus my attention more on the bigger budget items, such as the catering. 

One of the first things Mr Warehouse and I looked at was the guest list and how much it is swelling with each and every month that seems to pass. After settling down to a rough number we calculated a round figure and sent it out to as many caterers as we could find and think of within a thirty mile radius. Ideally we were, still are, looking for a sit down meal catering consisting of 2-courses and finishing with our wedding cake as dessert. The catering facilities at Stagsden Village Hall are minimal as it is a old school house converted into a pretty hall, however they do have two ovens with hobs and a fridge plus crockery, glasses and table wear we are able to use. 

Now I was quite understanding, as was Mr Warehouse, that we were not going to get Foie Gras or Duck Breast for our wedding breakfast, however we were anticipating something simple yet effective. Starting with some ideas around starters my fiance and I looked at Pate, Bread and Olives, Soup or a Seafood Cocktail. For mains I was looking for something easy and cost effective also which would please many such as a Chicken Chasseur, Casserole, Pasta dish or Chilli Con Carne. Obviously it would be assumed that all the dishes are served with Seasonal Vegetables and a Potato product where appropriate. 

Sending out the simple suggestions and stating that the event we were catering for was a "family meal" rather than the 'W' word as it seems to add on an extra thirty or forty percent to the total bill for no apparent reasoning. Essentially this is still true since the only difference between a genuine family meal and a wedding is that I am going to be sat in a fat white dress. With this we looked forward to the quotes that were to follow, however many came back stating that our budget would simply be too low to accommodate. 

We were however lucky enough to find a few suppliers that were able to supply us with a quote and even some different food choices and sample menu's that were in line with the budget. My fiance and I had asked commonly requested things from anyone providing food for an event such as is the price inclusive or excluding VAT, if they provide the linens and how many servers would they suggest? Other easily answerable questions followed such as will the servers be uniformed, whether they work with fresh or frozen food and how would they handle last-minute requests or changes. Crucially we wanted to know if they charge a cake-cutting or serving fee as we wanted to have the dessert as the cake and also wanted to double check they have a current food license. On the day we needed to know for planning purposes how long they will need for setting up and if we can get references from others they had catered for. Obviously we needed to confirm when we should give the final guest numbers and what their menu choices would be. 

Although after several back and forth emails asking for some of the above questions asked to the caterers we were sent the details on tastings and when we could potentially arrange a meeting so as to go through the exact menu and pay any holding fee or deposit. Then all of a sudden, Mr Warehouse and I received an email. In it the caterers stated that "After careful consideration and a discussion with the team [the catering company] are unable to catering for your event, as it wouldn't be cost effective for us to do so due to your requirements and budget." 

Following a huge let down like that I battled on and  I suppose like any normal person, you would ask many of the questions previously detailed when hosting an event; Be it a wedding, family event or birthday party all of which you would expect the same level of service and ergo the same price per head. But Ohhh No! 

Yet again after sending the same list of questions to another catering company, again simple questions anyone hiring for an event would ask, irrespective of the occasion, a confirmed menu and details on how to place an order and make payments were sent. Although just before we had a chance to print, sign, scan and send back we were told that they could not provide a fabulous menu compromising of Soup for starters and a Chicken main course with the cake as a dessert as "Unfortunately we may have crossed wires throughout e-mails, as [the catering company] were unaware that the catering required was for a Wedding as no mention of this throughout the correspondence and that our Wedding packages start from £30.00 + VAT per head due to the preparation involved and the high standard of service we like to provide for our brides."

Furious at being asked to pay nearly treble the original cost quoted, for a menu Mr. Warehouse and I were extremely happy with, I emailed them back:
"Apologies we are slightly confused with the pricing as we were quoted for a very simple menu, which we are very, very happy with and ready to book and yet now it is different? I am honestly shocked that the price has jumped to more than double with just the mention of the "w" word. We are not sure what the difference is between a family event which is really what it is as we are not having a big thing made about it at all. My Fiance and I don't have a huge amount of money either, hence only having a small family meal. For a price increase of £18.00+ what would we get for that as we are not fussy about preparation involved as they should be the same regardless of the function and the standards still kept high as we only wanted a sit down meal for close family and a handful of friends? I have also noticed that after reading the below email, the address is a local business we know very well and have visited many, many times before as you are local to Bedford's Priory Park which is where we walk our dog Roxy most weekends. In fact my fiance actually proposed to me just round the corner in one of the meadows so it would really mean a lot to us to have yourselves cater for us. Again I hope you are able to help with this as again I am flabbergasted as to why the price has increased so much. We are ready to book and just needed a few questions answering and are happy to pay in advance."

With this the catering company came back to us and attempted to justify the price increase, stating that they "feel from the original enquiry we made, there was a different impression of the type of catering and service required for the agreed price and anticipated only sending a maximum of two members of staff to serve and prepare the food for a maximum of two-three hours. The price originally quoted didn’t include linen hire (not that we need it I must add), set up or clearing away and that clearly this type of service is not sufficient for a Wedding Reception.    We understand when you have said that you would not be fussy about the preparation, but for a Wedding sit down meal there will be a lot more involvement to go towards making your Day a special occasion and we can’t offer this type of service for under our standard Wedding price of £30 + VAT per head."

I have yet to call them to discuss their pitiful offering, but I can just not believe that the mention of the word wedding would increase the price by nearly twenty-quid per head! Shocking and disgusting is beyond the words that I can describe but to be fair if I was some sort of supplier of goods and knew that I could get at least double if not triple the price for a wedding rather than the same event without such connotations then of course I would also be charging extra. However, the point I make is that I did not initially send out any queries or questions in relation to a wedding and only for a family event, which is as I said before, essentially what a wedding is. Rest assured I am sure that you will hear of the outcome soon as I rip them a new one ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx 

A Visit From The Tooth Fairy!

Good Evening,

So continuing with the fancy-free frivolity of being a twenty-something with minimal commitments, this week I decided to book a day off. Now you are probably all thinking, "Hmm, I wonder what our dear friend did with her time off?" but wonder no more my amigos as I took it off not for a extended mini-break, nor a lengthy, well-needed spa day with Champers. No, I took the day off to visit the place where people are born and people die. Yes. Hospital!

After weeks of knowing my appointment to have my back Molar removed, I was certainly not looking forward to it, especially on a weekend where I had other, more important things to think about like how I am going to deal with God at Church on Sunday and what I should wear to the Christening that day. All items which pondered my mind as I sat waiting for my name to be called. I did wonder if I should maybe say my goodbyes to Mr. Warehouse now, read him my will and testament and explain what sort of coffin I would like for my nerves and fear factor were surely high enough to give me a heart attack if the Surgeon didn't. 

Name called and without a moment to spare once in the Surgeon's office I was whizzed through a shit load of questions my anxiety has made me forget and hoofed straight into the operating theatre. Laying down on the PVC Leather couch I tried not to imagine people having violent porn on it. Sitting back as the nurses rallied round I asked if I would be able to listen to some music in order to drown out the sounds of drills, wrenching and yanking. Getting me prepped a lady took my blood pressure and I mentioned how I was proud that it along with all my other vitals were outstanding for a person of a BMI over 30. But as I rest my head backwards and felt the tourniquet tighten and the sharp scratch of the needle pierce my pale skin I got chatting to the lady holding my arm. She had noticed the golden bumblebee around my neck and had commented on how pretty it was, probably the first person in a long time to do so. I thanked her and explained how it was not real gold, letting her into the secret that it was in fact sterling silver with a gold-plate and that honestly I should probably go and get it re-plated. As I felt the anaesthetic take hold, pulsing through my veins I drowsily slurred that I wanted an Alex Monroe Bumble-Bee for my birthday but instead bought this as it was much cheaper that the £150.00 real-Gold Monroe. As I revelled in the fact that someone had the same interest in the beauty that is Alex Monroe, I could feel myself slipping under. Everything became blurry and slurred. Nothing made sense and I couldn't feel anything in terms of pain but had the sensation of multiple people pulling, ripping and stretching my face. 

As they wheeled me coming out of Theatre I noticed Mr. Warehouse on his feet, waiting anxiously. I have no idea of time and whilst I was recovering from the drugs and anaesthetic I lay there not wanting to speak to my sweet boyfriend as I could feel that he did not want to look upon me in the state I was. Later I recall him saying that it was one of the worst moments of being with me as he loathed the fact that I was in pain and hooked up to all these machines, nothing that he nor I could do to make it better. What a sweetheart 'eh?!

Apparently it wasn't all morbid and solemn. Supposedly there were two surgical bins, one yellow, one black and white. According to Mr. Warehouse I was so out of it from my medication I thought that they were a Duck and a Penguin having a deep conversation about the political affairs somewhere. I also tried to dance whilst lying in my hospital bed and this didn't stop when the nurses tried to get me up. Soon though I was allowed home. Mr. Warehouse took me back to the Home he shares with his Mom and pet Dog. Mr. Warehouse treated me very well on Friday, read all my hospital paperwork, made sure I took my meds on time, kept me topped up on water, wiped my dribbles and even made me lunch and dinner. Such a good boy isn't he!?

With my tooth removed the rest of Friday was a haze between doggy cuddles, Mr. Warehouse cuddles and sleeping. The weekend as a whole was fairly relaxing ending yesterday with a beautiful Christening service in a tiny snow-dusted church on the outskirts of Marston Mortaine in the idyllic Bedfordshire countryside followed by a wonderfully tasty meal at The Embankment Hotel, situated right on the river front of the River Ouse in Bedford. Now I must say that on calling the venue a few weeks ago to ask for a menu to be sent via email for pre-selecting what I and the boyfriend were going to have I was quite put out by the rudeness from staff and other telephone answer-ers. However on entering and ordering a 'Hot Mulled Cider' which took longer than needed I was pleasantly surprised when they not only offered me a drink on the house for the 30-minute wait whilst the Cider warmed but also a couple of free refills and what amazingly scrumptious, apple-y, lemon-y, cider-y goodness. especially for when there is snow on the ground outside. 

But hears hoping that this weekend the snow can stay away so Mr. Warehouse and I can do something fun involving something warm and cosy. Definitely not off to raid my under sink booze-cupboard for some left over cider ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx