Wedding Reception Forum

What is an average $$$ for a minimum?

Ok, so just met with a couple places for our reception site. I was wondering if you all could help me. What is an average amount for the minimum for food/beverage/and rental fee. We are expecting around 200 guests. The favorites that we have decided on have a $10,000 minimum for total cost. Is this average?

Re: What is an average $$$ for a minimum?

  • wow! I am sure that different locations vary though. Our minimum for food for 150 guests on a saturday is 2900.00. There are also a few other rental fees etc. and the total is 5200.00 for everything.
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  • It's really hard to get an average since costs vary dramatically around the country. Sounds like they anticipate you to spend about $50/head. In some parts of the country that would be very expensive, and in the bigger cities that would be a steal ;)
  • average for long island is about 120-160 a person for the reception depending on season. i would check on your local board.

     

  • eshesh member
    10 Comments
    In Philadelphia, the average low end cost pp is $30. Mid-level affair $60pp. And for a high end reception your talking $100pp ++
  • $10k does sound reasonable, but I can't say it's average. Not ever place even has a minimumIt really depends.  I know a place down here that has a $20k min on Fri/Sat/Sun during the winter/spring. $10k  in the summer and fall.  






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  • You really need to ask your local board. This is a very fair minimum price for a New Jersey wedding (that's actually about what I personally need to guarantee my reception hall), but I'm not sure about Minnesota.
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  • Agree with pp about it varying around the country. I've talked to places where I live that have a minimum $ amount, like $10,000, or they have a minimum amount of people you need to pay for, like 200. My venue agreed that we could set our minimum at 75 and keep the per head price where I wanted it.Many places where I am only have minimums on Saturdays, so you might want to see if you could save money by having a Friday or Sunday wedding.
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  • My wedding is in Philadelphia, I visited three locations that had a min over $20K for a Sat night in May. I am wondering what places pp is talking about in Philadelphia, the places I have looked are NO where near prices listed.
  • Wow, my place has a minimum of $3500 and our total will be under $9000 for 200 for food and drinks. Of course, I'm in Oklahoma and it probably runds quite a bit cheaper here.
  • NCV2 -- Agreed. I'm near Philly too and my pp is $90-$100. I'm having around 150 guests. I do not consider my location to be high end, I'd say its more average compared to what I was finding. So I'm not sure where the $30 and $60 were coming from. Archie - Like everyone said you'll have to check your local boards because rates are completely different based on location.
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  • Sure, the minimum at some places is 10K. Sounds about right. Some minimums are $100PP. My south beach venue is $6500 minimum before tax and gratuity (that is after negotiating)
  • It really varies but if you're just looking to hear other experiences, $10k for 200 people sounds like a bargain to me.
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  • What area are you in?  I am in central NY and all of the minimums here are between $9,000 and $15,000.
  • I'm from Michigan, and I have never even heard of a minimum! Must be a regional thing? (Either that or I have been DANG lucky with my vendors!)
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