Rehearsal Dinner

gymchick05

For those of you who have planned one, what is a normal going rate per head to have a rehearsal dinner? My FMIL told us this weekend they will help w/ the rehearsal dinner (which is great!) but since they live far away I have to find a place. I didnt ask them what their budget was, but Im trying to keep costs low. Im estimating about 30 people will attend. If you dont mind sharing, what on average did you pay per person? Did you include alcohol? How long do these dinners typically last? One place gave estimates on alcohol by hour and I didnt know how many hours we would even be there.  Is $30-$40/per head a good deal or bad deal? I'm clueless haha.

Thanks so much!

clarereedy

We are paying about $40 a person with beer and wine included.  We plan on running a bar tab for anyone who wants to order anything else.  The $40 includes a sit down dinner that is three courses. 

Reilly626

We are paying for 30 people $650 which is appetizers, salad and meal and gratuity.  Its BYOB so we are bringing wine and beer.  They are providing soda and coffee.  I'm doing Black and White cookies for dessert.....

smw42

I tihnk $30-40 is good if that includes alcohol and gratuity. We're paying about $25/head not including any drinks for a 4 course italian meal.
http://www.vincenzosristorante.com/

What area are you looking to have the dinner in? Some girls on here might have suggestions.

lblumetti

We are paying around $35 per head plus tax and gratuity.  This includes an appetizer, salad, pasta and choice of 2 entrees.  The place is BYOB, so we will bring some bottles of wine.

gymchick05

Thanks so much! This is very helpful. My wedding ceremony will be at a church in Vernon, so I was trying to find a rehearsal place close by. The problem is the reception is at a hotel in Florham Park. So I dont know if our wedding party (his family and his side- all mine are local) will be staying a a hotel by the church the night before and then staying at the reception site the next night or staying at the reception hotel both days. I dont want to pick something on the way to Florham Park if no one is staying there the night before (my biggest concern is I want to cut down on traveling for his grandparents).

The hotel right by the church is ideal since it is no extra traveling for anyone regardless of where they stay, but when you include an open bar its over $50/head, without any liquor its closer to $30, but our bridal party and families are big drinkers and I dont want then to not be able to drink or have to pay for it when they are already helping w/ everything.

If anyone has any place recommendations, please let me know. Thanks so much!

akmackay

We went to a BYOB place- not sure of the final costs since ILs paid, but I think it was around $30 for an app/entree and non-alcoholic beverages. They brought in all the wine and beer and the restaurant set it all up in the back for us. They sectioned off a large part of the restaurant for us and it was really nice and actually, relaxing. Lots of fun

njpabzy

If you decide to keep the RD near church have you looked into Milano on RT 94 - not sure if you like it there or not, we love it and plan on having our RD there, but I know some people who are not fans.  I believe the cost is around $30 for app, dinner, dessert, soda, coffee - it is BYOB. I think we are just going to order apps to be served family style and not limit dinner choices and just let everyone order off menu, which really shouldnt come out to that much more.  If you look into it you want to talk to Sue, she is the best. good luck

gymchick05

Thanks so much- I like Milano's a lot- I just didnt think we could get a private room there- are you getting a private room or just sectioned off?

njpabzy

Talk to Sue, they will usually put the parties in the seperate room to the right when you come in - depending on how many fit back there, I am not sure, and how busy the night is you may not have the whole room to yourself but I would think you would perhaps have like the entire front section of the room. If it were not that busy I am sure they would try and seat regular diners in the front room.  I havent worked out the details yet but having the whole room isnt a make or break for me. You should definately talk to her, its worth a shot, you have nothing to lose. :-)