Upgrade help

Brie2010

Even though our final counts aren't in quite yet, it's looking like we're going to be pretty far under our minimum for the reception.  I'm kind of excited, because this means we have to do some upgrades...but I'm not sure how to go about it.

Option 1:  We could just upgrade the entire package.  With this, we get wine service at dinner (but our guests aren't really wine drinkers, they largely drink mixed drinks or beer), one extra app, and a huge sweet table in addition to the wedding cake instead of cake+2 plated desserts.  It just doesn't seem like we'll get all that much for our money doing this, and it will put us about $500 over our minimum.

Option 2:  Keep the smaller package and upgrade a la carte.  Options for upgrade include adding tons more passed apps (we have 2 right now), adding a martini bar (we already have a full open bar), or upgrading to add a sweet table or sundae bar to the 2 plated desserts+cake (which seems like overkill).  We could pick and choose what we add so that we wind up exactly at the minimum.  Late night snack is not an option at our venue.

Option 3: Eat the cost of 20 uneaten dinners and keep things the way they are.

WDYT?

AlexiaANDRobert

I think Option 2.

Option 1 just doesn't sound like you'll benefit from it.

Eating the cost of uneaten dinner just seems wrong.  I'd rather at least get the value for what I'm paying.

I'm having a sucky way with words this morning, so I hope that makes sense.

FutureMrsTR

I like the option of upgrading a la carte.  I'd always like more choices in apps

vallyhoo

I would do option 2 with more passed apps and the martini bar (if you can do both). But not adding sweets.

lyndausvi

option #2 and add extra apps. 

Stackeye210

Option 2.  for sure!  I'd skip the sundae bar and focus on the martini bar and more passed aps.  But I love martini's and appetizers, so I may have a skewed perception of what i think is awesome.

opalsky007

Option 2! I think a martini bar and upgraded passed apps sound badass.

kate51485

I'd definitely say Option 2.  If it's going to cost you $, you might as well get something out of it instead of just eating the cost, you know?

I like the idea of more passed apps for sure!

The martini bar could be good if you said they like mixed drinks, but if there's already an open bar I'm not sure if that would be kind of redundant or not.  What makes it stand out from what the bar already offers?

I like the ice cream bar because I'm not a huge cake or other dessert fan all the time but love ice cream -- what will the plated desserts be?  If you could keep it to cake, 2 plateds, and ice cream, and not have the sweet table, I don't think that's necessarily overkill.

Could you add another entree selection?

tlv204

Definitely option 2. Even if you don't want to add all the stuff (ditto that sundae bar is overkill), adding some and only paying for a few uneaten dinners is way better than adding nothing and paying for 20.

aMrsin09

I'd go with more apps, skip the martinis and add in the sundae bar. 

But then again, I'm in the "can never have too much dessert" camp.

kee80

I am all about the cocktail hour.  Option 2 sounds like the best bagn for your buck.

jajph1974

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_upgrade-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0e0329be-7c36-4248-987f-6626f2f2d386Post:8214d4bc-6d79-43fa-b106-5d0637ac9c7e">Re: Upgrade help</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd go with more apps, skip the martinis and add in the sundae bar.  But then again, I'm in the "can never have too much dessert" camp.
Posted by aMrsin09[/QUOTE]


My thoughts exactly

tidetravel

Option 2, with the passed apps for sure, and maybe the sweets table (I wonder if you could turn that into a dessert buffet favor - give guests boxes to take some of the sweets home?.) 

K Byte

I would do more passed apps ... I seriously looove appetizers.

Brie2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_upgrade-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0e0329be-7c36-4248-987f-6626f2f2d386Post:4bb0eb62-808d-4d6f-a087-21668d69242c">Re: Upgrade help</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd definitely say Option 2.  If it's going to cost you $, you might as well get something out of it instead of just eating the cost, you know? I like the idea of more passed apps for sure! The martini bar could be good if you said they like mixed drinks, but if there's already an open bar I'm not sure if that would be kind of redundant or not.  What makes it stand out from what the bar already offers? I like the ice cream bar because I'm not a huge cake or other dessert fan all the time -- what will the plated desserts be?  If you could keep it to cake, 2 plateds, and ice cream, and not have the sweet table, I don't think that's necessarily overkill. Could you add another entree selection?
Posted by kate51485[/QUOTE]

I'm not really sure what the martini bar would add--our venue coordinator was like, "Well, let's talk about this next week after this week's weddings are done and you have your final count." 

Plated desserts will be our wedding cake (red velvet w/ cream cheese frosting and vanilla chiffon cake with strawberry and chocolate mousse), cheesecake with strawberries, and profiteroles with ice cream and hot fudge.  So, there will already be ice cream in the plated desserts.

I definitely want to add apps somehow, but unless we get, like, a million, it's not going to get us up to minimum.  I wonder if they could put out the sweet table later in the night with carry-out boxes?

kate51485

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_upgrade-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:0e0329be-7c36-4248-987f-6626f2f2d386Post:39ac09c0-046f-4329-b7d6-c915263347e4">Re: Upgrade help</a>:
[QUOTE]Option 2, with the passed apps for sure, and maybe the sweets table (I wonder if you could turn that into a dessert buffet favor - <strong>give guests boxes to take some of the sweets home?</strong>.) 
Posted by tidetravel[/QUOTE]

I like this idea -- perhaps you could finagle it to be a little later on, so it's soooort of a late snack?

Brie2010

I really like the late-night sweet table idea.  I know our venue is all about boxing leftovers for people, so I don't think they'd mind, and we could just get some cheap Chinese food boxes.  That plus more passed apps would probably be a good idea.  I like this.  I'll have to talk to FI, obviously, but I didn't even think about doing that before. 

Lyss5782

Option 2!  Personally, my priorities would be more apps, then more desserts (you can NEVER have too many!), then martini bar (since you are already doing a full bar...but this is still cool if you can swing it!).

Lucky you!!

BecW2be

I read martini bar upgrade and got all tingly inside and that's all I can focus on now. So, Option 2!

Holy bouquets you are so close! Squee!

Koopa17

Option 2! I would add on some more apps, and since you already have a full bar I'd add on the sweets table before a martini bar, and I love tide's suggestion for putting out bags or boxes to make it a sweets buffet in a way. 

How many people are you expecting? When I get home today I can check to see how many left over bags from my candy buffet I have at the house, we had to buy a ton and didn't need as many as we got, so if I've got enough you're absolutely welcome to them.  I have no need for them at all, so I'd be happy to ship them to you.  They aren't as cute as little take out boxes, but they're free! Ha.

ashmy211

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_upgrade-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0e0329be-7c36-4248-987f-6626f2f2d386Post:17d9dc78-07e8-4ae1-9656-a9bf18ad820b">Re: Upgrade help</a>:
[QUOTE]I would do option 2 with more passed apps and the martini bar (if you can do both). But not adding sweets.
Posted by vallyhoo[/QUOTE]
This. I feel like so many times people are so full from the apps and dinner that they don't even eat the wedding cake, so adding extra deserts would be a waste.

Brie2010

Or, Option 4.  Knottie roadtrip to come crash our wedding.  We've got room for 20.

Lyss5782

I dont really know you but I am totally in! 

FutureMrsTR

Option 4 it is.

AlexiaANDRobert

Nevermind, I revoke my previous answer to switch to Option 4

squirrly

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_upgrade-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0e0329be-7c36-4248-987f-6626f2f2d386Post:17d9dc78-07e8-4ae1-9656-a9bf18ad820b">Re: Upgrade help</a>:
[QUOTE]I would do option 2 with more passed apps and the martini bar (if you can do both). But not adding sweets.
Posted by vallyhoo[/QUOTE]

Valley, get outta my head.  I like this plan as well.

mandybear7

I don't have very long to travel and for Maggiano's? Definitely.

missy68

Hmmm... Are you getting married in KC or St. Louis? That might be fun, for several of us to crash!

squirrly

Brie, if you're looking for the takeout boxes, I recommend these.  I got some for leftover cake. 

http://www.nashvillewraps.com/food-packaging/take-out-boxes/sku-wh1bpm.html

They're nice, pretty cheap, etc.  And shipping was cheap and quick.

tenofcups4me

Another vote for option 2. I'd add a lot more hors d'oeuvres -- up to 6 or 8 kinds total since you say you've got money to spare at this point. And I'd also consider upgrading the hors d'oeuvres -- do you have the option of sushi or a raw bar or something like that to ugrade too? (Totally not necessary, of course, but that's the way I'd go if I were looking to spend money :-)

WildRumpus

Option 2 sounds like the best deal