Worries about Reception

singer82 · April 2011

I am so lost. We cannot afford a regular reception. I'm talking not even over 500$ if even that. I've contacted some restaurants and they are still too much. An Insuite one is too expensive as well. I am getting depressed and stressed. Any kind of help would be great.

aerinpegadrak · April 2011

How many people are we talking?

CamilleJon · April 2011

How many people are you expecting to have?
Is your heart set on LV?
Do you already have a ceremony spot?

vfriday · April 2011

We need more details about what you want and the number of guests. The ladies and gent on this board have amazing ideas.

smokeybailey · April 2011

I would recommend saving your travel dollars and getting married at home. Even if the hotel and airfare are $500 total, that gives you almost $1000 for a dinner and that is completely doable.

Or elope sans guests.

stinkerbell6879 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:745de68d-01b4-4172-a63c-aa60574d42e4">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]I would recommend saving your travel dollars and getting married at home. Even if the hotel and airfare are $500 total, that gives you almost $1000 for a dinner and that is completely doable. Or elope sans guests.
Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]
Ditto.

mizutamababy · April 2011

I would either suggest cutting back from some other expense like DIYing where you can, using silk flowers instead of real ones, etc. until you can make it work or just dropping the DW with guests if you still can't make ensd meet.

In general a DW is always more expensive than doing it back home. (The only exception I can think of is if you live overseas and your currency/cost of living is much higher than the place you're doing a DW at or if family wants to invite a ton of guests and having a DW will decrease the list heavily.)

j_jaye · April 2011

Ditto what everyone else has said.

However if you have your heart set on a DW then maybe look at changing the time of the ceremony to the morning and having a brunch or lunch reception. It will be slightly cheaper. Also maybe look at the casino buffet as options for a reception site.

singer82 · April 2011

We dont have a set number yet. But will probably be around 30 people if even that, as it is a destionation wedding of course. We already have the ceremony set up and paid for the package and signed the contract for the Classico Chapel inside of Ceasars Palace.

Thanks for all our input everyone

j_jaye · April 2011

If you budget is $500 for 30 guests that is $16.66pp (including tax/service) which will be hard to find. You will probably be best to look off strip.

Try this website cheapovegas
It will let you search by price limit and brings up available restaurants in your price range. It probably isn't a full list of what is available but might be a good place to start.
But that said there are normally charges that a restaurant will tack on for group dinning so you will need to check to make sure.

HTH

kteel717 · April 2011

You could also try to check out a buffet. My sister hosted her's at Mandalay Bay buffet and we had a seperate little area to ourselves. Nice thing about Vegas is there is practically something for every budget. Good luck, keep searching and I'm sure you can find something.

aegrish · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:7fc1ab99-f5b7-412e-bc47-37f50d105184">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]We dont have a set number yet. But will probably be around <strong>30 people</strong> if even that, as it is a destionation wedding of course. We already have the ceremony set up and paid for the package and signed the contract for the Classico Chapel inside of Ceasars Palace. Thanks for all our input everyone
Posted by singer82[/QUOTE]

I would take 3 people instead of 30 if you have your heart set on a DW in Vegas. Do not have a DW if you cannot host the 30 people properly. They will have travel expenses and probably will be taking time off work for you...They deserve at least a meal. I understand where you are coming from but please do be realistic about who you can host.

You can still get married at Caesars...you don't have to have a minimum # of guests...

Have you sent out any STD's or anything? or informally invited people by mentioning the wedding to them? If so, please do politely tell those persons that your plans have changed and you have had to limit the wedding to immediate family only. People will understand iif you are up front, honest and polite about it.

specialjune · April 2011

I would suggest scaling back your guest count because $500 for 30 ppl may not even cover a buffet. Like pp have said, if people are traveling to your wedding it is only right that you feed them appropriately. Im not telling you to offer them fillet mignon, but at least dont let them leave hungry.

pizzanfries4me · April 2011

We ate at an Italian restaurant in the New York New York hotel, we had 16 people for a nice sit down dinner and the bill was only $500 (I was expecting MUCH more) But that was just a meal, I didn't know what your reception plans were. I would suggest scaling back quite a bit. Also, don't forget all your other meals and shopping while you are there - I was surprised at how fast that added up for us.

aegrish · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:934aa8f2-ef4d-435f-92e3-740e574e15d0">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]maybe you'll have to scale back on the formality of your reception.... you can do a appetizer & cake reception in your suite. get finger-foods, or platter trays from Jason's Deli and then a cake from the grocery store. I thought there was either a Costco or Albertson's (or both) in the area
Posted by 1DestinationBride[/QUOTE]

Won't the suite alone cost like $500? For a DW I would expect a little more than cold deli platters...but I guess it'd be better than making guests pay.

1DestinationBride · April 2011

maybe you'll have to scale back on the formality of your reception....

you can do a appetizer & cake reception in your suite. get finger-foods, or platter trays from Jason's Deli and then a cake from the grocery store. I thought there was either a Costco or Albertson's (or both) in the area

mj1m3n3z714 · April 2011

You will be better off if you do breakfast or even lunch. I could maybe help you email me & I will do research. mj1m3n3z714@yahoo.com

missjets · April 2011

Even the Buffet option is more than you have budgeted.

We chose the MGM Buffet for 50 people because we have way more guests coming than we thought would be able to make it. I really wanted to do something fancier, but this is what we could do with the budget we had. Big thanks to our parents for providing the booze.

Anyways if you went with them it would be $27/person plus 18% plus tax plus $250 booking fee = over $1300 for 30 people without booze.

I suggest looking into a morning wedding and brunch buffet. Like previous posters have said, your guests deserve a meal at the minimum.

Charity

LilMissScareAll · April 2011

If you cut your guest list in half (15), you can afford them a $25/pp meal (prior to tax & tip). Which is a totally do-able option in Vegas.
The M Resort (though a bit off the strip) has it's buffet prices at:
Lunch - $14.99
Dinner - $22.99
(note; these are weekday prices, weekend prices are $29.99)
The prices include wine & beer with the meal. And the M has a free shuttle that picks up from Fashion Show Mall. [<a href="http://www.themresort.com/visitorinfo/pdf/M_Resort_Airport_Shuttle.pdf" target="_blank" title="schedule">schedule</a>] [<a href="http://www.themresort.com/dining/studiob.html" target="_blank" title="M Resort">M Resort</a>]

LilMissScareAll · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:96631626-80c4-4970-ac5b-583bc994e6ea">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]What I plan on doing for my Vegas wedding is after the ceremony taking everyone out to eat and since its only family then they can all pay for themselves. Then once we get back home we will have a reception in two weeks in which family and friends come and we'll feed them then. Just a suggestions. You don't have to have a reception after the ceremoney. Its vegas! Do what fits you and stresses you out the least!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]

Don't do this! Please! It is very rude to ask people to travel and then not host at least a minimal meal.

I would be very upset if I had to pay out $800 (air & hotel) for me & FI and I wasn't fed. If I knew that beforehand, I would decline. If I found out after I traveled, our relationship would cease to exist

LPRUETT05 · April 2011

There getting a vacation NOT just a ceremony. They can do whatever THEY like after the ceremony so they may or may not choose to come. Just because it is your wedding doesn't mean you have all the money to spend. They will eat with or without someone buying. I don't need them there to show MY love of my husband. A wedding should NOT be about how big and how much money you have but the love between two people. So I do this because I was not born with a ton of money and I do not wish to go into debt just for one day. Singer82 needs to do what is BEST for HER and HER budget. Not what is expected because of tradition or equitte. Be realistic. Its her day!

direy25 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:1eb8df58-aae5-4c9f-9ac2-cc25a2b127da">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]There getting a vacation NOT just a ceremony. They can do whatever THEY like after the ceremony so they may or may not choose to come. Just because it is your wedding doesn't mean you have all the money to spend. They will eat with or without someone buying. I don't need them there to show MY love of my husband. A wedding should NOT be about how big and how much money you have but the love between two people. So I do this because I was not born with a ton of money and I do not wish to go into debt just for one day. Singer82 needs to do what is BEST for HER and HER budget. Not what is expected because of tradition or equitte. Be realistic. Its her day!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]
Being a good hosts to your guests does =/= being born with a ton of money. FI and I have been saving for a year & a half for our wedding. The "it's your day" excuse goes away as soon as you involve/invite other people.

aerinpegadrak · April 2011

My dad suggested that people could just pay for their own meals after the ceremony. I oh-so-sweetly asked him if he remembered the exact moment when he lost his mind. If a couple doesn't care enough about their guests to provide the meet the bare minimum of their social obligation as hosts, they should do everyone a favor and not invite them at all.

LPRUETT05 · April 2011

What I plan on doing for my Vegas wedding is after the ceremony taking everyone out to eat and since its only family then they can all pay for themselves. Then once we get back home we will have a reception in two weeks in which family and friends come and we'll feed them then. Just a suggestions. You don't have to have a reception after the ceremoney. Its vegas! Do what fits you and stresses you out the least!

smokeybailey · April 2011

Let's assume tht you go to a restaurant or buffet and tip only 15%. That actually gives you only $402 or $13.40 PP. You are going to be hard pressed to find any place where you can get food and beverage for under $13.

Honestly, if I am traveling to a DW, I would be under-impressed with a $13 meal. ESPECIALLY if you did a wedding at CP. I can't imagine that is very inexpensive. Either stay at home or change your ceremony location or invite fewer people.

direy25 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:96631626-80c4-4970-ac5b-583bc994e6ea">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]What I plan on doing for my Vegas wedding is after the ceremony taking everyone out to eat and since its only family then they can all pay for themselves. Then once we get back home we will have a reception in two weeks in which family and friends come and we'll feed them then. Just a suggestions. You don't have to have a reception after the ceremoney. Its vegas! Do what fits you and stresses you out the least!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]
Sorry, but even if it's "just family," you really should provide some sort of meal for those people who are spending their money & time to travel to Vegas for your wedding.

aerinpegadrak · April 2011

It's your obligation to provide a meal to the people who witness your ceremony. I think you need to be realistic and either cut your guest list (if you haven't sent STDs or invitations), or see how much of your deposit you can get back from CP and look for another ceremony venue. We ended up holding our ceremony insuite because there was no way we could have afforded a chapel, and it was really important to us to host our guests properly.

smokeybailey · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:96631626-80c4-4970-ac5b-583bc994e6ea">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]What I plan on doing for my Vegas wedding is after the ceremony taking everyone out to eat and since its only family then they can all pay for themselves. Then once we get back home we will have a reception in two weeks in which family and friends come and we'll feed them then. Just a suggestions. You don't have to have a reception after the ceremoney. Its vegas! Do what fits you and stresses you out the least!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]

No no no. This is completely inappropriate. Who does this???? The people who TRAVEL to your wedding should get treated to food and beverage post ceremony.

Just because you are in Vegas, you don't have the right to be rood. Regardless of whether it "fits you and stresses you out the least."

Oh and I have asked before, if you can afford an AHR, why can't you afford a reception? Kill the AHR and HOST YOUR GUESTS as a gracious host should.

Good god, people.

Olivea12 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:1eb8df58-aae5-4c9f-9ac2-cc25a2b127da">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>There getting a vacation NOT just a ceremony</strong>. They can do whatever THEY like after the ceremony so they may or may not choose to come. Just because it is your wedding doesn't mean you have all the money to spend. They will eat with or without someone buying.<strong> I don't need them there to show MY love of my husband.</strong> A wedding should NOT be about how big and how much money you have but the love between two people.<strong> So I do this because I was not born with a ton of money and I do not wish to go into debt just for one day. </strong>Singer82 needs to do what is BEST for HER and HER budget. Not what is expected because of tradition or equitte. Be realistic. Its her day!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]

1. It's They're or They are.
2. Then why are you inviting them?
3. I wasn't born with a ton of money either, so I scaled my guest list down to a number where I could afford to feed everyone. No one said anything about going into debt for her wedding. If her budget is $500 for a reception, than she should scale her guest list down to accommodate them.

smokeybailey · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:1eb8df58-aae5-4c9f-9ac2-cc25a2b127da">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]There getting a vacation NOT just a ceremony. They can do whatever THEY like after the ceremony so they may or may not choose to come. Just because it is your wedding doesn't mean you have all the money to spend. They will eat with or without someone buying. I don't need them there to show MY love of my husband. A wedding should NOT be about how big and how much money you have but the love between two people. So I do this because I was not born with a ton of money and I do not wish to go into debt just for one day. Singer82 needs to do what is BEST for HER and HER budget. Not what is expected because of tradition or equitte. Be realistic. Its her day!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]

Oh, I missed that you are paying for their vacation. Where are you putting them up?
A wedding is not about how big and how much money, but a reception is about being a gracious host. Do what you can afford.
We gave her recommendations on what to do with her budget. But it's not just about HER. It's about her FI and her guests. Don't invite guests if you can't afford to host them. Stay home and use your travel dollars to host them.

By the way, I AM being realistic and it's not just her day.

kara811 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_worries-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:a7fa343f-a725-4fbd-aafa-a301521671b7Post:1eb8df58-aae5-4c9f-9ac2-cc25a2b127da">Re: Worries about Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]There getting a vacation NOT just a ceremony. They can do whatever THEY like after the ceremony so they may or may not choose to come. Just because it is your wedding doesn't mean you have all the money to spend. They will eat with or without someone buying. I don't need them there to show MY love of my husband. A wedding should NOT be about how big and how much money you have but the love between two people. So I do this because I was not born with a ton of money and I do not wish to go into debt just for one day. Singer82 needs to do what is BEST for HER and HER budget. Not what is expected because of tradition or equitte. Be realistic. Its her day!
Posted by LPRUETT05[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>If OP needs to do what is best for her like you said, then she should either not invite anyone else/scale down to a handful of people or have her wedding at home. I find it hard to believe that OP is having her ceremony at CP, which packages start at $1500 I believe and only have $500 for reception for 30 people. If I'm having that many people, then I would go to a cheaper ceremony location. Just saying. </div><div>
</div><div>You are right, a wedding isn't about how grand or expensive it is, but you should learn how to be a gracious host as well. Especially at DW weddings where guests spend so much money just to see you and your FI exchange vows. There are always expectations. </div>

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