Don’t Let Your Wedding End Up Like This Horror Story
…well, we made sure there was a happy ending, but please don’t wait for us to save the day like this story below
This story is from 2023, and times changed even more for all of us after Covid. These stories happen all the time, but we finally wanted to document one for you to realize the importance of the decision you are about to make on your Wedding Day.
In 2022, we quoted a Wedding Catering for 2023. It was a themed wedding with all types of Specialty Spanish and Mexican-themed Dishes plus a late-night snack menu. To the Personal Chef that designed the menu, he was extremely excited about it. Many of the dishes were traditional and some were completely customized to meet the needs.
To make a long story short, a price war happened. Another caterer undercut the price and claimed to provide more service and more authentic food.
We do not discount because our price is always a discount from the beginning.
We warned the customer this isn’t true — that they are going to provide more than we are at a lesser price.
We warned the customer that we know the costs and they are going to run a high risk for the event if they go with it. We don’t make up our prices by throwing a dart at a board, it is math.
In the end, the customer felt comfortable and decided to go with the other company.
Fast forward to 30 days before the event.
I told them, we are on it, don’t worry. I’m not worried, neither should you.
Due to our incredible staff, we were able to put together the Wedding event in only 30 days, slight adjustments to lower the staff requirements to a two-person crew, and the guests loved everything. We were focused, committed and took care of the problem at hand. That is why we train our own staff and develop multiple chefs to assist.
None of the wedding guests knew the changes made just four weeks before the event. It felt like we had a full year to plan.
We still honored our price without gouging a customer in need because at the end of the day, your happiness is why we are in business.
The byproduct of making you happy is we will make money.
If you understand the previous line, you understand our philosophy and business model.
🚩 Red Flags When Choosing a Wedding Caterer
Learn from this story. Watch for these warning signs before you sign anything:
- Price is significantly lower than competitors — If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Catering has real costs: labor, ingredients, equipment. Math doesn’t lie.
- No verifiable references or reviews — Ask for references from recent weddings. If they can’t provide them, walk away.
- Pressure to book immediately — A legitimate caterer gives you time to decide. High-pressure tactics are a red flag.
- No written contract or vague terms — Everything should be in writing: menu, pricing, service details, cancellation policy.
- Unwilling to do a tasting — If they won’t let you taste the food before your wedding, that’s a problem.
- No physical location or professional kitchen — A real catering company has a real kitchen. Ask to see it.
- No proof of insurance or licensing — Protect yourself. Ask for proof of liability insurance and food service licensing.
- They disappear after taking your deposit — Communication should be consistent. If they stop responding, you have a problem.
🛡️ The Frato’s On-Time Guarantee
If we’re more than 15 minutes late to your event, the catering is free. No excuses. No fine print. We’ve been in business for 39 years — we’re not going anywhere.
Don’t Gamble on Your Wedding Day
Your wedding is too important to risk on the lowest bidder. Talk to a real chef. Get a real quote. Make an informed decision.
Prefer to talk? Call the Chef on Duty: 847-895-2122
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WGN · Fox News Chicago · Chicago’s Best