Paying for Tastings

I do not think you should pay for tastings. I think it is their right as a vendor who is trying to get you to be their customer to try to impress you as much as they want and treat it as a selling expense. You may spend anywhere from 30%-50% of your budget on them, so why can't they eat $40 or $50 when they stand to make anywhere from 6-20K for one night work. They try to get you in two ways:

1. Outright tell you that the tasting cost money.
2. The tasting cost money but if you choose them they will deduct it from the total.

Both of these situations are uncalled for. They both tell me that they have so much business that to entertain us is more of a hassle than an honor. Now this may be the consumer side of me talking, but it is the consumer who chooses who caters the wedding.

Remember, you are in control, you make the rules. If they don't like it, then they shouldn't have your business.