Finally found our venue but…

I would take a look at their contract and make sure it doesn't state you MUST use their caterer. If it doesn't, then you can politely tell them that you and your fiancé thank them for their suggestion, but are wanting to go a different route where catering is concerned. If you haven't done so already, I'd also suggest comparing quotes from caterers you're interested in, with the quote the venue has including the food.

Many venues have lists of 'preferred caterers and vendors' and most of the time it's really just a list of vendors they've worked with before and really liked. So don't feel pressured to use who the venue wants. We didn't and we had zero issues!

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I sent an email and they said they prefer we use their catering but the person who recommended this venue for us said they used their own catering for their wedding. So I will look at the contract and compare prices.

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You're welcome! It sounds like they've just used that vendor before or have someone in house they really like. Since the person that recommended it used their own catering, it sounds like it should be no problem doing the same for your wedding! Best of luck!

Before you commit one way or another, I'd ask for quotes from other caterers you're considering. Our venue also has an option to use their catering team, and the overall cost seemed really high, but when I looked at other caterers, just using the team at our venue ended up being cheaper per head plus there wasn't a traveling fee or anything. It's also one less vendor to have to find and coordinate with as well. That being said, if there's another caterer you have in mind, as long as your venue doesn't require you to use their services then you should be able to do so.

Hello Congratulations to you both most venues are usually firm about using any outside catering. And rather you use there own ppl in house and if you don't want to use their own ppl then you could not book with them. Maybe you all can discuss how you both can come to some compaires on the things that you and your husband wants. And maybe the price and using their own can meet in the middle. Might have to look elsewhere

I wouldn't worry about being "rude." You're paying them. I would just say, "We're using our own caterers." They don't need any explanation. If they keep pushing, that's just THEM being rude 😉