A little bit of stress goes a LONG way! (sorrrrry it's long)

Re: A little bit of stress goes a LONG way! (sorrrrry it's long)

• j_jaye

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  I always stick to the old addage of budget for the amount you have invited not the amount you think will come. We have sent out invites to 86 people and that is what we are budgeting for in regards to the reception.
  
  However I really really dubt that they will all come! But I don't want to be caught short if they do which is why the budget for all invites. Talk to your reception venue about when numbers are needed and set your RSVP date accordingly.
  
  As far as excited guests when we first mentioned to people that we were getting married in Vegas a lot of guests were excited and couldn't wait. I am actually finding that those peole are the ones intending to RSVP No...its the ones we didn't think would come that are booking flights!
  
  We have budgeted $3,000 in total for our reception but we are having ours at a buffet so I don't think I will be much help.

  Report0 Reply
• Nadia E

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Hi January2012bride,
  you may be able to help me i am looking at getting married at the mandalay bay next yr too but not untill June.
  i have emailed the wedding coordinators and noone gets back toi me to answer my questions who are you using and do you have a contact. im based in the UK but would you reccommend phoning as oppose to e-mail?
  did you get assigned your WC after you booked could this be why i am having no luck.
  how long ago did you book? as i would very much like to book now but dont seem to be able to on the net as too far away?
  soooo sorry for all the questions i am just STRESSED ha!
  
  where are you having your eception as i would say that would probably just be ok for an in suite reception? if you do this look at masterpiece cuisine for the food.
  $500 for suite. $1200 ish for food and $1000 for booze (you buy yourself)
  
  hope this helps

  Report0 Reply
• TheEncoreBride member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Like PP said, you will be surprised at the people that were super excited about the wedding, said they were coming but then RSVP'd no or worst, called me 2 weeks ago to tell me they weren't coming. I invited 62 but only planned for 20 since I knew my guests, I'm having around 17 including us.
  
  Bottom line, wait a little longer to confirm budget's etc., the numbers will change...a lot!
  

  

  {My Planning Bio} {The EncoreBride Blog}

  Report0 Reply
• January2012Bride member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Thank you for the replies!  My stress has kind of subdued...thank you!
  That's very true j_jaye I should go with a budget for the 56 people....not less because just incase...and I will never mind it being less!  and yes it is true not everyone will come...but I do have a very close family...and we are only inviting close friends...so we will see! I hope they all come but I will not have my nose outta joint if they don't. 
  
  My coordinator emailed me back this morning and told me that I won't have to have the confirmed guest list until 30 days before my date...so that gives me a lot of time!  Just over a year!!
  
  And Nadia....That is very strange that no one has gotten back to you.  I went on the website and filled out the form and sent it in and within 2 days (more or less) I received an email from Richelle...who is great! I emailed her last night and she emailed me back this morning.  I would suggest just making sure that form is filled out and if you still have not heard anything get the supervisors email and maybe email her?? 
  
  Thanks again!!!

  Report0 Reply
• smokeybailey member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  OP, are you serving ONLY appetizers?  Are you serving enough apps to take the place of a meal?  I mean, I am spending $11.50 per person for apps which includes 2 cold and 2 hot options per person but that is NOWHERE enough for dinner.  They get dinner too.
  
  You didn't say what time of day you were having your event but you should assume:
  

  For dinner hour parties which don't include a meal, estimate about 14 appetizers per guest per hour.

  Over the lunch hour, about ten appetizers per person per hour is about right.

  Afternoon or later-evening parties require about 6-8 appetizers per person per hour.

   

  So at a minimum, assuming your wedding is at a NON MEAL TIME you can plan for 8 apps per person which is $24/person (let's say) which is $1344 plus tax and service charge is about $1713.
  
  If your wedding is at dinner time, then you are looking at about twice that.  If it's at lunch time, then you can assume around $2052 (with tax and service).  As long as you aren't having a dinner time reception (let's say between 5-8) then you are fine with the $2k budget and 56 guests.
  

  Bi-oh-rama
  Now with more wedded bliss.
  
  I don't get married often, but when I do, I do it in Las Vegas.
  
  
  
  "Lvharpy could be your AE." - direy25
  "smokeybailey is the one shining beacon of light in this steaming turd of a thread." - daffodil_jill
  "The almighty smokeybailey has spoken." - some bitch on the Las Vegas board
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• smokeybailey member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  As a follow up, make sure your caterer knows that you want to be at $2k when all is said and done or you may see your bill come to
  $2k for food
  + 18% service:  2036
  + 8% tax:  $2199
  
  If your budget can stretch to $2200, then you're fine.  If not, then your budget is really $1570.

  Bi-oh-rama
  Now with more wedded bliss.
  
  I don't get married often, but when I do, I do it in Las Vegas.
  
  
  
  "Lvharpy could be your AE." - direy25
  "smokeybailey is the one shining beacon of light in this steaming turd of a thread." - daffodil_jill
  "The almighty smokeybailey has spoken." - some bitch on the Las Vegas board
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• j_jaye

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_little-bit-of-stress-goes-long-way-sorrrrry-its-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:d49056ed-720c-4134-a209-00f87168b746Post:acc379d2-2b15-456a-98fd-38471d04e112">Re: A little bit of stress goes a LONG way! (sorrrrry it's long)</a>:
  [QUOTE]As a follow up, make sure your caterer knows that you want to be at $2k when all is said and done or you may see your bill come to $2k for food + 18% service:  2036 + 8% tax:  $2199 If your budget can stretch to $2200, then you're fine.  If not, then your budget is really $1570.
  Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]
  
  LOL so impressive as usually! You are a numbers/excel freak! I would so hire you in a minute as a finance manager!

  Report0 Reply