Dinner About $75 Per Person Help?

Bigm1056 · August 2014

Hello once again I'm having trouble hammering down a restaurant. We don't have lots of cash to throw down to reserve a spot either so we'd prefer somewhere that doesn't require half of the price down ahead of time. So I'm looking for somewhere that's $75 or under (not including drinks) for dinner after my ceremony. Any help would be incredibly, INCREDIBLY appreciated!! Thanks ladies!

aggiespartan · August 2014

What kind of food are you looking for?

hmgiffor · August 2014

How many people?

vegasgroom · August 2014

I don't think you're going to get out of the deposit if you have a significant number of guests; the restaurants have to turn away reservations at that point and then you might not come through with your business. But anyway, let us know what area you'd prefer, number of guests and if you have any food preference.

Bigm1056 · August 2014

There have been a handful of places that don't require a deposit, just a contract with credit card to hold the date. But I'm wondering if maybe I've overlooked somewhere cool. There are 47 people. I just got an email back from the lady at Olives in Bellagio and I may have just solved my own problem. No deposit and $75 per person. Supposidly, they have a decent view of the fountains?

But still open to hearing recommendations. American, Italian, Steak, French. Really anything besides Mexican, Indian or Sushi.

Rosebubbly · August 2014

Keep in mind too that a 75 per person menu is going to be subject to tax and service charge which will add at least 28%

WriterInthePink · August 2014

I checked out Central at Caesar's Palace and they offered no deposit, but my original count was small (25). It ballooned to over 50 people and so most places had a deposit. That said, Trevi in Caesar's Palace has amazing italian food and their sit down dinner starts at around $45-50 per person not including taxes or drinks. They have a beautiful mezzaine level at the top of the restaurant for receptions and its great for just dinners (that's what we did).

Bigm1056 · August 2014

Yeah, that is fine. Everyone is paying for themselves as we are having a full blown reception when we get home. I just didn't want to get somewhere and slap $125 prefixed menu to everyone after traveling so far to be with us.

Has anyone with a similar group size has issues sitting for dinner on nights you don't have a reservation? And for lunch and breakfast?

I plan on booking the night of the wedding to make sure we have a spot, but the rest of the time their travel won't be that planned out. So my wonder is say if we are walking the strip and see somewhere we want to wander into for lunch will they turn us away for not having a reservation?

aggiespartan · August 2014

If you wanted more variety, you could also do either Bacchanal or Wicked Spoon. They are both very nice buffets and within $75pp.

laneygurl6 · August 2014

I am doing my dinner reception at Canaletto at the Venetian and I believe it is only $50 pp with no drinks and they do not require a deposit and you can reserve a private room which are very pretty on the second floor. Hope this helps!

wrigleyville · August 2014

Bigm1056 said:

Yeah, that is fine. Everyone is paying for themselves as we are having a full blown reception when we get home. I just didn't want to get somewhere and slap $125 prefixed menu to everyone after traveling so far to be with us.

First bolded: Perhaps you should ask your guests for their budget since they're probably expecting you to pay, it being a wedding reception and all.

The second bolded: That's because, deep down, you realize how rude this is.

garciavegas2014 · August 2014

Let's not get belittle her on HER wedding bc that is rude, for two who the hell cares what she does, all she's asking is if you know of a place... You don't have a nice answer move the hell on. People gave me shit for having albertsons you know what? Not one damn person complained about it. Grow the fuck up and worry about your own wedding or worry about your man proposing to you.

hmgiffor · August 2014

I would say with a group that size...you may have a bit of trouble just walking into a place and getting seated right away. I would recommend picking a place, maybe calling in the morning to give them a heads up, and then head in that direction as you're wondering the strip.

You could get lucky at Wicked Spoon if nobody else has the private room booked. They may just let you use it if you call in the morning. Pricing is certainly within the $75 and the food is supposed to be awesome.

aggiespartan · August 2014

I agree that it will probably be difficult to walk into a place for any meal with that many people. I wouldn't expect all of your group to stay together the whole time either. There is so much to see in Vegas, people are going to want to do different things during the time that isn't planned.

Bigm1056 · August 2014

haydeemf89 · August 2014

wrigleyville said:

Bigm1056 said:

Yeah, that is fine. Everyone is paying for themselves as we are having a full blown reception when we get home. I just didn't want to get somewhere and slap $125 prefixed menu to everyone after traveling so far to be with us.

First bolded: Perhaps you should ask your guests for their budget since they're probably expecting you to pay, it being a wedding reception and all.

The second bolded: That's because, deep down, you realize how rude this is.

You don't seem very polite when it comes to other brides and decisions they are making for their weddings. I remember a day or two ago you made a comment in my discussion about making a dress decision but you decided to comment on the "really, really long gap" between my ceremony and reception. Not needed, not asked for advice is bad manners, dear, and hurtful when delivered in such a way.

Bigm1056 · August 2014

Holy crap. You are 100% right. It never hit me since we are having a reception at home that we'd need to pay for another dinner entirely. I could vomit right now. Super cool just pull another couple grand out of our pocket 1 month before the wedding. Thanks for calling me out. I needed that.

Honestly, since most of the people coming invited themselves basically. Literally people would see me out and just be like hey, we're coming to Vegas. 2 people I wasn't even going to invite to the home reception, but had to since they wanted to go to Vegas. Other than the wedding party, which we did ask but that was it.

I appreciate your honesty....now on to vomit. Alright, anyone have and $50 dinner suggestions? I just emailed Trevi

hmgiffor · August 2014

Carmine's has some great packages and a beautiful balcony which is why we choose it. However they do require 50% down. Have you looked into Wicked Spoon?

spoon1984 · August 2014

You could look at Canaletto and Zefferinos in the Venetian. I've never eaten in Zefferinos I just remember seeing they had a number of set menu options when I was looking. Canaletto don't charge for private rooms and menus vary from around $40-70. There is a tax and service fee of 28% though. Just thought I'd throw that suggestion in in case you fancied a private room and didn't mind paying the additional fee. Plus a deposit isn't required. It could be an option to eat in the restaurant though without the 28%. Where is your ceremony? What about Maggiano's you could do family style -http://www.maggianos.com/EN/LocationSpecificDocuments/FamilyStyleMenu/R.001.025.0193.pdf

Bigm1056 · August 2014

I emailed Zefferinos and they said their room only held 40 and the min. was $4000, and the room that held 60 was $6000. AND the saddest part, I had my heart set on Canaletto and Nicole their booking lady literally emailed me papers to sign up and have it done and out of the way and realized she is booked the night I am going, she was looking at the wrong day. Maggiano's looks fantastic, and I know their food well, we have one locally so I'd rather avoid them if possible. Wicked Spoon's pricing person was right where we'd like to be but the room minimum was too high about $3500 for the night. I feel like I could rip out my hair.

Bigm1056 · August 2014

Is everyone on here providing dinner to their guests even if they are having a reception back home? The handful of my friends I talked to last night said they never assumed we were paying for any of their meals and now I'm back feeling stupid. What if I said there will be no formal reception dinner after the wedding as we are having our formal reception back home. We will be having dinner at ____________ is you are interested in joining us, let us know so we can make reservations?

Once again, I just feel stupid not realizing we are supposed to pay for dinner but there are a handful of people who wouldn't have been on the "list" if we realzed this ahead of time. We planned our Vegas wedding to save money, we just don't really have it.

hmgiffor · August 2014

I know etiquette states you SHOULD pay for (as a side note I really hate the etiquette board on here!) but you do what you feel comfortable doing. If your goal was to save money, I think writing a statement saying "We will be having dinner at xyz and if you are interested in joining us, please let us know." To me this implies that they don't have to come and there is no expectation that you are paying.

If you did want to do something for your guests as a thank you, you could do two things. 1. you could have a small in-suite reception with cake and champagne or light appetizers (I have seen many ladies on here buy the food from the grocery store) or 2. you could do a welcome cocktails event. We are meeting for happy hour somewhere (haven't decided where yet) and will be buying some food and 2 cocktails for everyone that wants to come. Again, no expectations that people have to come and we are able to keep the price to maybe $1500.

Don't let anyone on this board make you feel stupid! This is your wedding and you have it however you want! Especially if these same people will also be at your hometown reception. I see no reason to buy them an expensive dinner twice.

trm358 · August 2014

We are taking care of a hometown reception and full reception in Vegas. We debated about a light reception or full dinner but we will have a seated dinner. I really want thank my guests for spending the money for airfare, hotel, etc. for me.

Rosebubbly · August 2014

Like @hmgiffor‌ said, you don't have to do a full sit down dinner for your vegas guests. Consider renting a large suite and having appetizers and cake as a lower cost alternative. I think you'll want to host something as a thank you and to keep the festive mood going after the ceremony but it doesn't have to be fancy. I don't know how you feel about kitsch but even look into the peppermill or in and out burger for a fun play on a Vegas wedding.
If you want a "fancier" feel try one of the buffets perhaps not the more expensive ones so they'll be more cost effective. Shoot, if you rent a suite you could even order pizza!

MishMashPotato · August 2014

We are having a full reception at home and are paying for a reception meal in Las Vegas because we want to. However, a few of my guests were talking about how they expect to pay for their meals!! I honestly couldn't care less about etiquette. We are paying for a reception meal because we want to! Do whatever you and your FI feel comfortable with and whatever your budget allows for

Bigm1056 · August 2014

Thank everyone so much for the input. I was feeling like an idiot, feeling slightly less idiotic now. I wish we had the means to pay for a full blown reception in Vegas but it's just not in our budget. We've dated for 7 years now and have put off a wedding for quite some time as we wanted to buy a nice home, and put some money into getting settled into our lives before we ever wanted to spend what seems like a small fortune to celebrate what we already know. Our commitment. The wedding just hasn't ever been our priority and all of our friends know this. I'm not anti wedding by any means but i am anti spend every dollar we have to have a party. Again, just not what we have ever been.

So, I think I have found a solution to the problem, of course we want to thank everyone for their travel and it means the world to us that they will be there. Mon Bel Ami offers a "mini" reception, an hour of unlimited beer, wine, champagne toast, fruit tray, croissant sammies, and cake and it's going to cost about $1800.

I cannot say thank you enough for the words of encouragement. It means a lot

annathy03 · August 2014

I was just about to third the in-suite reception idea and offer the option of a DDB with pizza or sandwiches, but the Mon Bel Ami mini reception sounds like you've got it handled. If you need to make cuts anywhere I'd pare down the at home reception/celebration.

aggiespartan · August 2014

A Cosmo reception with a bunch of pizza from the pizza window isn't a bad idea. Or even a welcome cocktail hour would be fun.

Dinner About $75 Per Person Help?

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