Help estimating costs for bringing in vendors?

Re: Help estimating costs for bringing in vendors?

• Misheyld member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I can't help with outside vendor costs, but I can tell you why I went with a hotel.  Like you said everything is included.  Most hotels downtown Boston also include the cake & linens, you also don't have to worry about bringing in alcohol or having to hire security.  Some venues require that you hire police officers depending on the size of the event.  Most hotels have their own security already.  I also chose a hotel becuase it give the guests an option to take the elevator home instead of driving after having a few drinks.   I've found the planning quite easy with the hotel, I don't have to worry about much at the event.  They will also organize with the DJ, the photographer, and the videographer.  I did negotiate with the hotel and it's in downtown Boston, they will come down depending on the dates you are looking at.
  
  Good luck.
  

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• marshallra member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  One of the major advantages of booking your own vendors is the cost of alcohol. Your caterer will provide bartenders etc, but you can order your own liquor and pay for only what you use. You also have a great deal of flexibility about what kind of food you want to serve.

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• preziosa210

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  thanks!
  
  any ideas about estimates on caterering and alcohol for approx. 180 people? I know it depends on what kind of food you have etc. but i'm trying to get a general understanding without having to reach out to a bunch of caterers for quotes just yet.
  
  would keeping it around  (or under) $100 per person for food an alcohol be reasonable if you're booking your own vendors? we still want to have a cocktail hour and sit down meal, but keep it pretty simple. salad, entree, cake. nothing over the top.
  

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• shoreshotz1 member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  A wedding planner would be really helpful for you

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• marshallra member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I got a number of quotes from caterers for my daughter's wedding. For 6 passed appetizers and 2 stations as well as plated dinner with salad, entree and desserts,, all the tables, chairs, linens, plates, silver, glasses, bartenders, waiters etc it ran between 100-125 per person. Liquor I believe we estimated at 3000 for a total open bar with liquor, wine, beer,and soft drinks etc. that was for 200 people. Her menu was fairly elaborate. I found several well respected companies that would have been considerably less. I believe the Commander's Mansion in Watertown has tables and some chairs already so you'd save a little there.

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• RoyalOrient member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I spent far less on an open bar for my guests (close to 200) than I would if I went with the all inclusive deal the hotel was offering me. They had several packages that just didn't fit my needs and there was little flexibility. So I booked a venue with a rental fee (that included table and chairs) but no linens and things. I bought my linens online (much cheaper) and rented the rest (dinnerware/stemware ect) from Rentals Unlimited and Quality Rentals. I choose my own caterer who worked hard to stay within my budget and I bought the alcohol from NH at a state liquor store and hired professional bar tenders. I bought the liquor license online for a flat rate. There is definitely more work involved if you plan on going this route but because I am particular and I wanted to do things on a budget without compromising too much, I decided this was the best way to go for me. Most caterers offer rentals too so you should keep that in mind. 

  
  

  I want to mention I didn't get married in Boston but in Newport R.I which can be just as expensive if not more. I was still able to find reasonably priced hotels nearby for my guest on a Memorial Day Weekend. I used a website to help calculate cost of alcohol and I bought beer from a place where my bar tenders could return it if the box was unused. As for alcohol, I bought ultra premium hard liquor and a dozen bottles of fine champagne with the final cost close to $1100. My bar tenders provided the "fixings" for the bar. My budget breakdown is below. G.L

  
  

  http://moniinthemoment.blogspot.com/2011/10/budget-breakdown.html

  FOR SALE
  
  
  

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