I'm planning my wedding reception does this seem pricey?

Question

I got a price from a catering company, the hall is included in the price so are taxes and grutuities (wrong spelling), as far as I know so is the DJ. For a buffett, with a 6 hour open bar, a table of fresh fruits and vegetables including dip and punch, wine and a sweets table with tea and coffee is $65 a person, so they told me it would be $6500.00 for a hundred guests.
THE BUFFET MENU IS:
Buffet #4 (Hot & Cold) (min. 50 people)

Linen, China & Silverware
Assorted Bread, Rolls and Butter
Garden Salad with Dressing
Caesar Salad
Macaroni Salad
Potato Salad
Coleslaw
Beans Salad
Steamed Mussels
Cold Meat Platters
(Black Forest Ham, Smoked Meat, Turkey & Salami)
Assorted Pastries
Hot Items
Roast Sirloin of Beef
Tortellini Alfredo
Roast Potatoes
Seasonal Vegetables
Tea and Coffee

The cake and decorations could have been included but my Grandmother makes wedding cakes, and flower arrangements, and I know alot of ppl who want to help decorate. What do you think???

Answer 1

sounds good to me for just about everything
if it really includes open bar it is a GREAT deal!

Answer 2

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming nuptials! I wish you and your fiancé a lifetime of love and joy together!

Weddings are so expensive these days! Yours actually sounds like a really good deal because it includes the price of the hall and the open bar. (And if it includes the DJ too...wow!) Couple of things before you sign the contract:

Make SURE it's in writing that the hall and the open bar are included. That means you won't get charged extra...especially the open bar. I've seen it happen where the couple signed a contract *thinking* the open bar was included, but it wasn't. They got a bill later for the extra.

It'd be a good idea, too, to ask exactly what the bar included and how much. Another couple I know had an open bar which was included in their contract, but they failed to read the fine print. Somewhere in tiny print was a clause about what was meant by "open bar." Any amount over that which was specified in the contract was billed after the fact. And the problem with this is that while you're partying at your reception, there's no way you can keep track of how much people are drinking. An unscrupulous business could charge you a buttload more for drinks that weren't actually drunk. That's what happened with my friends. So make sure it's specified in the contract that open bar means "ANY AMOUNT" that is consumed during the reception.

Another thing to check in the contract is that the price DOES NOT include the cake or decorations. Since you're providing this through other means, just make sure you're not getting charged by the reception hall.

Always read every scrap of verbiage in any contract before you sign it. Ask the hall if you can have a day or so with the contract before signing it. It's better to have time to go through the contract at a leisurely pace, rather than in the sales office where pressure and time constraints could cause you to skim the contract and miss some very important details. Those details could wind up costing you a lot in extras.

Good luck to you and have a WONDERFUL celebration!

Answer 3

If the DJ, cake and decorations are included in that price I say that it is typical..weddings are expensive these days. My reception cost 4500 without the DJ, cake and decorations..and that was for 100 people...so, unfortunately...that is the going rate in some areas. Now what you could do is ask them to lower the price a bit since you are providing the cake and decorations...if the answer is no, which it probably will be since these places are pretty set on what they offer, , you could have your grandmother make the cake and have the caterer provide the cake for your rehearsal dinner, or have them make a groom's cake...just so you are getting something out of the price they set. as far as the decorations go...if they say it is included in the price by all means get your money's worth. tell the people who want to help that they can help at the rehearsal dinner or in some other way...like decorating the getaway car...or have them deocrate one little thing...like the cake table....hope this helped

Answer 4

Figue a GOOD DJ would run you $1000-1500 depending on where you are and the length of your reception. Food like you have layed out could easily cost you $30 a plate. A room rental, another $500 MINIMUM a 6 HR open Bar is EASILY $30 a person at most venues. And tax and gratuity?? This is a STEAL of a price!!

Answer 5

For all that's included with the price, this seems like a great deal to me. Open bars really drive the price up. You could call around and check out other caterers to see what they're offering, but I really think you're getting a steal with this one.

Answer 6

I'm helping my daughter plan a wedding right now. The price is a little high for food and drink to serve $100 guest. However, you have quite a selection of food. Does the price include people to serve and clean up? Reasonable depends upon your wedding budget.

Answer 7

That sounds right, depending on the hall and the drinks, usually its the drinks that bring up the cost, and if you have a 6 hour open bar, 65$/person is not bad at all.

Answer 8

that's extraordinarily common for a caterer, extraordinarily if it includes the open bar, dj, taxes and gratuitie. Does that still comprise the places, linens, tableware? Many caterers value $30-$50 in accordance to human being without providing ANY of the above pronounced products. A 6 hour open bar itself might want to value you $1500 - $2000 for 100 human beings.

Answer 9

You need to consider getting rid of the open bar and opt for a cash bar if you want to save money. Guests love an open bar and that cost is probably most of what you are paying for with that total. People will drink more than they eat. It seems like a great price to me but like I said if it's more than you want to spend, go to a cash bar.

Answer 10

This price seems fair , if it includes all that you mentioned . A reception salon alone can run $2500. Double check on th inclusion of a DJ - that is usually separate. The menu looks good and an open bar is always welcome . Congratulations and Good Luck!!

Answer 11

I think because the bar is open it is a good price. Usualy even for the simplest wedding it's 20.00/plate and the wedding I went to didn't have an open bar or decorations.