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Budget Weddings Forum
Romans8Love
member
Huge guest list, tiny budget...help!
Hi everyone! I'm feeling totally swamped. We're inviting 200 guests which is more than we had originally planned, but my fiance's close family includes 80 people, and we've looked at our guest list over and over and can't possibly cut it down any more. We're trying to cut down on catering costs, but are unsure about what goes into price per head. Does it always include servers, bartenders, set up, etc.?
Thanks guys!
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Re: Huge guest list, tiny budget...help!
That's something you have to discuss with the caterers, it'll vary from place to place. We're having a food truck feed everyone, it's cheaper than a plated meal and it's got a cool aesthetic.
You could always serve heavy appetizers instead of a meal, serve brunch, or have a cake/punch reception. Those are cheaper alternatives as well.
The key to large events with keeping things affordable and on a budget is first - keep your expectations in check! The nickels and dime upgrades are what break the bank.
You don't need a fancy reception site - really! People are more concerned with having a place to sit comfortably and eat/sip tea (not everyone drinks alcohol) as well as a bathroom without having to hike for miles to get to either one (and handicap accessibility if they're not highly mobile).. You also don't need to DIY everything to keep it on a budget, as long as you're willing to work with your vendors, that's half the battle. "Here's what I need, what can I get for the money"... When it comes to food, most venues have a budget friendly option. I'm in the midst of planning my parent's 50th Anniversary, if I wanted to be REALLY cheap, I'd choose spaghetti as an option, but given the size it's going to be we chose differently with our comfort level with our budget. Our venue also charges more if we do plated vs. buffet. That's $120 difference on our budget for 50 guests to let people choose their portion/choices themselves, it adds up!
Above all else, work with your food vendor, but also realize some things just have a cost!
After looking at both these figures, now you should plan the wedding that you can afford. Here are the options:
1. Afternoon ceremony followed by a cake and punch reception. Tea sandwiches and veggie platters are a nice touch. Alcohol, dancing is not necessary or expected. This is the most traditional kind of wedding.
2. Morning ceremony with brunch reception. This can be very elegant. A brunch reception is usually half the cost of a dinner reception. No tuxedos. Dancing is fine. We served mimosas and bloody marys at the bar.
3. Dinner reception - very expensive!
Be sure that your venue can accommodate all those guests. Our daughter's wedding reception was held at a country club. They charged a basic venue fee, food, per person, and drinks, per consumption. Bartenders were required (state law), but since we had a buffet, we used servers, not waiters. The charge was per server. Then comes the state tax! Ouch! The club provided tablecloths, china, silver, Daughter did a simply DIY centerpiece.
It came to about $8000 for 135 people. This was in suburban Maryland, outside of Washington, DC. A dinner reception would have been double that amount.
When comparing venues & caterers make sure to ask what is included
The reason that I listed all the different things is that some places will include some of the items automatically in their per person price. Others won't and if there is something you really want & and the place/caterer doesn't offer it & you have to do it yourself, that will add to your overall price. I know with the reception venue I went to, all of the above items except for valet were included in my per person price. Others when I asked, well what about the cake, well we don't include that, you'll have to provide that yourself. So then I had to add that cost to their per person price. It just nice to know exactely what each caterer/venue includes in their price so you can do a true apples to apples comparision on prices
This is a big, fat, NO. OP, do NOT do this. This is a terrible idea.
Because a reception is held and paid by the hosts to thank guests for attending the ceremony. You're suggesting that they not only pay for, but transport, cook, and serve their own thank-you??????????
NO. That's incredibly rude.