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First Estimate - Reception Dinner

happe2getherhappe2gether member
1000 Comments
in Florida-Central Florida
I recently asked the venue for an estimate on what we might expect to spend to feed 200 guests for the cocktail hour and dinner.  Is this a fair price (breakdown below) for Orlando? I'm thinking the cocktail hour doesn't need to be FULL of food so are 5 selections enough?    Thanks

For 200 guests including service charge:

Dinner buffet (Classic Lunch menu w/o dessert)


$24.95 per person x 200 = Roughly 5K


Cocktail hour food (2-3 hot options plus the antipasto display and fresh fruit - I think this should be enough, correct?)

·        Antipasto is $7.50per person x 75 = 562.50
·        Fresh Fruit is $7per person x 75 = 490
·        The hot hor’ds are now done per piece so an estimated price is $3.00per piece and you will need about 100pieces total (assorted 3 types) = $300 total

Total Hor’d = $1350 --and--


The Service Charge is 18% only on Food (including Soda because it is non-alcoholic), and of course no tax, so with your given charges

around $1,150


Approximate total from above numbers = $7500


OR


If wanting 100 pieces each type Hor’d, add $600 to Hor’d total.  

The Service Charge would increase to $1950 with this change.     NEW approximate total from above numbers = $8200


Examples of signature/specialty drinks your bartenders have made with pricing and service charge

Signature Drinks depending on what they are
$7.00/drink, or you can do gallons depending on the drink preference.
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Re: First Estimate - Reception Dinner

  • Theresa626Theresa626 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think those are good prices.  As long as it's in your budget and you are happy with the food choices, it sounds fine.  Just make sure you budget for alcohol and cake if your're having it because alcohol can be very expensive.  
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  • brit21489brit21489
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Why "and of course no tax?" Catering is a service and should be taxed. We had to pay the 6.5% sales tax of Orlando. Just saying this because you might want to think about that since it should be added in later.

    Besides that, they seem like reasonable prices for all that you would be getting for your amount of guests and location. And 5 selections should be plenty. We didn't even have food at ours but we also had a short cocktail hour.
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  • tbiancotbianco
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with brit21489 . That doesn't sound right that there would be no tax. Also keep in mind that most place (every orlando place i've contacted) has taxed the service charge. So it would be total cost + service charge = total + tax on the total. That makes a big difference. I'd suggest double checking that. Good luck!
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  • SarahSmile23SarahSmile23 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    i'm also wondering about the no tax thing! was this a special they were running?
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  • happe2getherhappe2gether member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for the input ladies. I was just wondering if the total amount of $7K to $8K was a decent cost associated with the reception meal. As far as the tax is concerned, there won't/can't be any tax applied because it is a military facility. So that is a definitely benefit in my book. Thanks, again
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  • x3Harmony534x3Harmony534
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I definitely think it's a fair price, that beings said if it's high for you - TALK to them. We told our caterer exactly what we could afford and he brought it down for us AND added some extras without having to "haggle" with him. It's worth asking if there's any wiggle room if you need it. :)
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  • JandAWeddingWed128913JandAWeddingWed128913
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think it's fair. Our meal is $25 per person, and I think our drinks will come to about that. For our drinks, everyone will drink until the bill hits $1000. After going over what we can get for that price, I think it will work for us, and since Dad (the checkbook) will be there, if we get to that point too early, we can always authorize going over it.
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  • mizzicantwaitmizzicantwait member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    With your venue, are you restricted to using only their approved caterers or can you choose any caterer you want?
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  • happe2getherhappe2gether member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    They only allow their chef and staff to cater the meal.  We also have to use their bar services but hopefully it will all work out just fine.  I really do like the all-in-one idea of getting the most bang for our buck.  Pricewise it didn't seem too bad, was just wondering if this was average for most brides.  If I can get it cheaper (select another meal option) I most definitely will do so.    
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