Another Wedding at "The Ranch" (long)

big brother smoke · 09-02-2008, 09:01 AM

The weekend before last, I had another wedding at "The Ranch." This was a special wedding in that the bride fired 3 wedding coordinators prior to her special day, and some other vendors as well

We went back and forth up and too the last minute adding and subtracting based on their budget. This wedding was contracted out at 115, but it appears to have had 130 in attendance.

The Menu:

Starters
Grilled mini- cheese sandwiches
Chicken Skewers

Entree
Grilled chicken
BBs
Tri-tip
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Baked Beans
Grilled Veggies (Scallions, asparagus and assorted sweer peppers in oyster sauce)

First mistake, letting the client reduce my staff from 8-6 for budget considerations (I should have known better).

Second, agreeing to the given Timeline (We could not serve dinner until 8p, lightning was wretched and I had to carve farking tri-tip in the dark)

Third, not reviewing the adjusted timeline prior to two days before the event (she pulled some fast ones on me).

This was a high maintenace wedding with hollywood B list actor types. We worked our collective arses off and it showed as we received high praise!

This was my fist gig where I found myself saying 'just make it to the end of the gig.'

What I fond helpful for this type of gig. You must have a drill sargeant, someone to keep the troops on task other than me. It frees me up to keep calm and trouble shoot.

Jaime serves as my drill sargeant - she is in charge of making sure the crew gets the tables set, tablescapes, buffet area, etc. I found it easy to have her in charge of this area because its usually other women handling these task (no sweet talking me, this is business, lol). I saw her several times light the fire under her crew to make things happen.
Jaime and I now have pre-meetings to plot the event days in advance.
Yes, she gets paid more than the other servers, but she is worth her weight in gold!

I am in charge of the grill, bartenders (sorry no pics this time) and communicating with the coordinators.

Bride threw me a couple of curves that cost me some dough. I was going to send her a bill post the wedding for tonic water, water and other bar supplies that I incurred the day of the wedding at the last minute. However, I decided to eat the cost, because I was fearful I would lose my professionalism, if she tripped about the bill. I incurred about $300 in cost due to the listed last minute things that I was not contractually responsible.

I still made some nice dough as did my staff and sometimes you need to decide, if it is worth it, which I decided it was not to send a post bill (usually not a problem, but this may have been). Potentially losing my professionalism is not worth $300. Losing it would haunt me!

Here are the only pics taken and I missed the food shots as it was dark as hell by the time dinner was served

Jaime has on the cap

Bbq Bubba · 09-02-2008, 10:42 AM

Very nice, don't you guys EVER worry about rain???

How come the girls look a lot more relaxed than you?

ipls3355 · 09-02-2008, 10:43 AM

Topless dancers? (last pic)

Looks like another fine job.

Bigmista · 09-02-2008, 11:48 AM

Well done brother. Why does Cliff look lost?

Countryhb · 09-02-2008, 12:00 PM

Lost? Is that what you think Cliff looks like? Looks like he's getting goosed!!

Qcrue2U · 09-03-2008, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryhb

Lost? Is that what you think Cliff looks like? Looks like he's getting goosed!!

HAhAHHAh

He's like = wtf!!!

Norcoredneck · 09-03-2008, 01:52 AM

Double goosed! Note the 2 missing hands. Great Job Stef.

barbefunkoramaque · 09-03-2008, 09:34 AM

Somebody needs to scribble all over that! Damn...I got the Butta for her muffin... of course she will think I'm too old to hold the knife.

That's the best looking layout for a BBQ wedding I have ever seen.... the plate treatment is devine.

The anxiousness before the wedding and crazy brides is why I can't stand weddings and will only do them on a caterer front. I have opted to do more bachelor Parties instead.... they are like.... just bring the food and kegs.... no drama.

And my trailer is capable of smoking BBQ (10 feet of deck outside, Cooking and serving (13 feet dedicated commissary inside) and Dj both, beer out the back (8 feet in rear) with video screens (LCD) with videos of interests (know what I mean).

ALL the drama I face is when I tell the mothers and daughters I will not do a wedding.

God Bless you for your patience. Serving spaghetti at a wedding is stressful enough much less something as crazy as BBQ to get out.

BRAVO!!!! Of course with lovely ladies like your's to work with. Such Lovliness. Lawd!

Bigmista · 09-03-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryhb

Lost? Is that what you think Cliff looks like? Looks like he's getting goosed!!

Somebody would know all about being goosed...

Countryhb · 09-03-2008, 11:45 AM

LMFAO!!!!!!!! Touche!

big brother smoke · 09-03-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbefunkoramaque

Somebody needs to scribble all over that! Damn...I got the Butta for her muffin... of course she will think I'm too old to hold the knife.

That's the best looking layout for a BBQ wedding I have ever seen.... the plate treatment is devine.

The anxiousness before the wedding and crazy brides is why I can't stand weddings and will only do them on a caterer front. I have opted to do more bachelor Parties instead.... they are like.... just bring the food and kegs.... no drama.

And my trailer is capable of smoking BBQ (10 feet of deck outside, Cooking and serving (13 feet dedicated commissary inside) and Dj both, beer out the back (8 feet in rear) with video screens (LCD) with videos of interests (know what I mean).

ALL the drama I face is when I tell the mothers and daughters I will not do a wedding.

God Bless you for your patience. Serving spaghetti at a wedding is stressful enough much less something as crazy as BBQ to get out.

BRAVO!!!! Of course with lovely ladies like your's to work with. Such Lovliness. Lawd!

Thanks for the compliment! Can you post some detailed pics when you get a chance of your trailer?

Marsha · 09-03-2008, 12:40 PM

Wow, sounds like you had a rough time with this one! And cutting back your staff by two people is a lot for something like this, especially with all of the attention to detail involved. We always include the labor costs in the overall quote and bring how many people we think we need. I would probably become unprofessional if someone tried to tell me how to cater their event. We include what will will do, what we will provide and the set-up, serving and clean-up times in our contract. But, as always, the best laid plans....

BTW, the tables and setting and everything looks great!!!

09-02-2008, 09:01 AM	#1
big brother smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: Ventura, CA	Another Wedding at "The Ranch" (long) The weekend before last, I had another wedding at "The Ranch." This was a special wedding in that the bride fired 3 wedding coordinators prior to her special day, and some other vendors as well We went back and forth up and too the last minute adding and subtracting based on their budget. This wedding was contracted out at 115, but it appears to have had 130 in attendance. The Menu: Starters Grilled mini- cheese sandwiches Chicken Skewers Entree Grilled chicken BBs Tri-tip Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes Baked Beans Grilled Veggies (Scallions, asparagus and assorted sweer peppers in oyster sauce) First mistake, letting the client reduce my staff from 8-6 for budget considerations (I should have known better). Second, agreeing to the given Timeline (We could not serve dinner until 8p, lightning was wretched and I had to carve farking tri-tip in the dark) Third, not reviewing the adjusted timeline prior to two days before the event (she pulled some fast ones on me). This was a high maintenace wedding with hollywood B list actor types. We worked our collective arses off and it showed as we received high praise! This was my fist gig where I found myself saying 'just make it to the end of the gig.' What I fond helpful for this type of gig. You must have a drill sargeant, someone to keep the troops on task other than me. It frees me up to keep calm and trouble shoot. Jaime serves as my drill sargeant - she is in charge of making sure the crew gets the tables set, tablescapes, buffet area, etc. I found it easy to have her in charge of this area because its usually other women handling these task (no sweet talking me, this is business, lol). I saw her several times light the fire under her crew to make things happen. Jaime and I now have pre-meetings to plot the event days in advance. Yes, she gets paid more than the other servers, but she is worth her weight in gold! I am in charge of the grill, bartenders (sorry no pics this time) and communicating with the coordinators. Bride threw me a couple of curves that cost me some dough. I was going to send her a bill post the wedding for tonic water, water and other bar supplies that I incurred the day of the wedding at the last minute. However, I decided to eat the cost, because I was fearful I would lose my professionalism, if she tripped about the bill. I incurred about $300 in cost due to the listed last minute things that I was not contractually responsible. I still made some nice dough as did my staff and sometimes you need to decide, if it is worth it, which I decided it was not to send a post bill (usually not a problem, but this may have been). Potentially losing my professionalism is not worth $300. Losing it would haunt me! Here are the only pics taken and I missed the food shots as it was dark as hell by the time dinner was served Jaime has on the cap __________________ Peace and Smoke, BBS Powered by the West Coast Offense: Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous BBQ - "Walk with Us" My weapons: Humphrey's Smokers Last edited by big brother smoke; 09-02-2008 at 09:20 AM..

09-02-2008, 10:42 AM	#2
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi.	Very nice, don't you guys EVER worry about rain??? How come the girls look a lot more relaxed than you? __________________ Owner of Bubba's BBQ & Catering L.L.C. Beer Snob I cook the #bestbrisketnorthoftexas. Get over it. #detroitporkmafia BBQ Person of the Year 2013

09-02-2008, 10:43 AM	#3
ipls3355 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-27-07 Location: Mattoon, IL	Topless dancers? (last pic) Looks like another fine job. __________________ Chris Crankin out Q on my ECB since 2005 UDS born September, 2007 22" Weber Kettle 18" Weber Kettle

09-02-2008, 11:48 AM	#4
Bigmista somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-24-04 Location: Long Beach, CA	Well done brother. Why does Cliff look lost? __________________ Wait! Bigmista wrote a cookbook? Rec Tec RT-700 Bull Pitmaker Vault Remembering Scott

09-02-2008, 12:00 PM	#5
Countryhb is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-11-07 Location: Huntington Beach, CA	Lost? Is that what you think Cliff looks like? Looks like he's getting goosed!! __________________ Jet Coatings Smokin' & Fishin' Crew Vegetarian...Indian word meaning lousy hunter. Did someone say ROAD TRIP?!?! Kamado #7 BWS Party NB offset with baffle and chimney mods--STOLEN Double-barrel 55-gal drum smoker A farking weed burner...hehe hehe! Fire's Cool!

09-03-2008, 01:52 AM	#7
Norcoredneck somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-11-06 Location: Norco, Ca.	Double goosed! Note the 2 missing hands. Great Job Stef. __________________ *Low and Slow.....* *The Prontologist is in...* *Ok let's see your Butt!* Last edited by Norcoredneck; 09-03-2008 at 10:34 AM..

09-03-2008, 09:34 AM	#8
barbefunkoramaque Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-11-07 Location: Gone	Somebody needs to scribble all over that! Damn...I got the Butta for her muffin... of course she will think I'm too old to hold the knife. That's the best looking layout for a BBQ wedding I have ever seen.... the plate treatment is devine. The anxiousness before the wedding and crazy brides is why I can't stand weddings and will only do them on a caterer front. I have opted to do more bachelor Parties instead.... they are like.... just bring the food and kegs.... no drama. And my trailer is capable of smoking BBQ (10 feet of deck outside, Cooking and serving (13 feet dedicated commissary inside) and Dj both, beer out the back (8 feet in rear) with video screens (LCD) with videos of interests (know what I mean). ALL the drama I face is when I tell the mothers and daughters I will not do a wedding. God Bless you for your patience. Serving spaghetti at a wedding is stressful enough much less something as crazy as BBQ to get out. BRAVO!!!! Of course with lovely ladies like your's to work with. Such Lovliness. Lawd! __________________ Popdaddy is Dead - 1933-2011 - Pitmaster T is a free agent Last edited by barbefunkoramaque; 04-03-2011 at 02:35 PM..

09-03-2008, 11:45 AM	#10
Countryhb is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-11-07 Location: Huntington Beach, CA	LMFAO!!!!!!!! Touche! __________________ Jet Coatings Smokin' & Fishin' Crew Vegetarian...Indian word meaning lousy hunter. Did someone say ROAD TRIP?!?! Kamado #7 BWS Party NB offset with baffle and chimney mods--STOLEN Double-barrel 55-gal drum smoker A farking weed burner...hehe hehe! Fire's Cool!

09-03-2008, 12:40 PM	#12
Marsha Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-09-08 Location: Watsonville, CA	Wow, sounds like you had a rough time with this one! And cutting back your staff by two people is a lot for something like this, especially with all of the attention to detail involved. We always include the labor costs in the overall quote and bring how many people we think we need. I would probably become unprofessional if someone tried to tell me how to cater their event. We include what will will do, what we will provide and the set-up, serving and clean-up times in our contract. But, as always, the best laid plans.... BTW, the tables and setting and everything looks great!!! __________________ Rollin' Smoke BBQ - West

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