Engagement party in North Jersey + etiquette question

JCbride2015 · July 2013

We are looking to plan our engagement party for around 50-60 people in North Jersey. Does anybody have thoughts on great brunch places that can accomodate a private party? Budget is about $35/pp, hopefully including drinks.

Speaking of drinks: I've called around to most of the brunch places near where we live (Jersey City) and it looks like most of them either don't have affordable open bar options or they include a single cocktail in their price, with further cocktails a la carte. Is it rude to limit people to one cocktail or give out a drink ticket?

HobokensFury · July 2013

Honestly you're not going to find a place that offers food and an open bar for brunch for $35pp. Most places will offer mimosa or punch. You have to be realistic about your expectations and budget.

Who is hosting the party? It's an etiquette faux pas to host your own party. Either way no matter who is hosting the party guests must be properly hosted meaning they don't have to pay for their drinks (cash bar) or are limited to one drink. (Drink tickets are really tacky).

JCbride2015 · July 2013

FILs are hosting the party but FMIL wants me to pick the place. I am ok with just limiting people to one drink. How would we communicate that tastefully without a drink ticket?

HobokensFury · July 2013

JCBride2014 said:

FILs are hosting the party but FMIL wants me to pick the place. I am ok with just limiting people to one drink. How would we communicate that tastefully without a drink ticket?

Sorry to tell you this but there is no tasteful way to say it. Provide your guests whatever comes with the venue package. No need to give anything extra.

AJuliaNJ · July 2013

We looked at the option of having a day-after brunch in the same area. We looked at the Chart House and Waterside. They were way above $35 per person. I would just nix the alcohol entirely to stick with your budget. It's going to be tough to find something in that budget in the JC area.

My shower was at Portabella in Oakland. It was $30 pp (my mom told me) and she had them run a tab on alcohol (which she paid as the host). She said it was cheaper to do that than an open bar option. Many people didn't drink at all and most who did only had one.

smalfrie19 · July 2013

if you can't afford to host alcohol then have a dry reception

dalm0m · July 2013

Tab bar -- where you pick up the check for what your guests actually drink is a good idea. It's way cheaper than open bar which is generally $35 per hour per person.

The Glenpoint Marriott has a nice brunch.

If cost is an issue, cut your guest list; 60 people seems like a lot for an engagement party. You can also consider doing it at home with a caterer. Brunch foods aren't expensive. Buy a case of champagne & be done with it.

njdoxie · July 2013

Most people don't go to town at brunch so I wouldn't stress over it. One drink pp should be plenty.

If you think it could be a real problem how about a place that's BYOB? It would be much cheaper to buy wine by the case, plus you can keep what's left over unopened so nothing will go to waste.

SewInLoveWithDMB · July 2013

What about McLoone's Boat House in West Orange? Try calling them.

marymargaretxo · July 2013

I agree, if it's a brunch I think one drink will be okay. I just can't think of a non-tacky way to explain this to your guests. I agree again with @njdoxie that a BYOB place might be your best bet! BYOB will solve everything I think.

Peaseblossom55 · July 2013

Please don't do drink tickets or set a limit on drinks. As others said host what you can afford, if it means no alcohol so be it, or just run a tab. I doubt many people will drink at a brunch.

JCbride2015 · July 2013

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! We ended up finding a great solution at The Merchant in downtown Jersey City. It's $20/pp for a buffet brunch, with mimosas, bellinis, and bloody marys for $3 each. So we're just going to run a tab, and figure people probably won't go crazy.

Engagement party in North Jersey + etiquette question

Re: Engagement party in North Jersey + etiquette question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards