Hi ladies!
2 good friends are getting married (in their 30s, lived together for 5 years prior) and neither one of their families offered to throw a shower. Bride was sad about this, so I offered to host.
They are doing a desitnation wedding in Mexico, so I thought it would be fun to do a Mexican-theme at a Mexican restaurant. Bride wants to invite 63 people (all those invited to the wedding) I know probably 40-45 will attend, but this is causing budget concerns.
I am footing the whole bill, and we're in Chicago, so things are pricey (as in $40 per head). Can I ask the bride to cut her list? She wants an evening couples shower, so I wanted to include apps and drinks for everyone, but that brings up cost. Ideally, I'd love an open bar, but I can only afford an hour or 2 of that, and then it owuld be cash bar. Is it incredibly tacky to have people pay for their own drinks at a shower, when they are bringing gifts?
Or should I just say 30 people, and include food and drinks for the whole time?
Help!