How Much To Spend On The Reception With Our Budget?

Question

I'm trying to figure out what I can spend on the reception for our wedding. Ideally, I would like to have between 140-150 guests. I'm interesting in having a traditional dinner, preferably sit down (but I would consider an elegant buffet if cheaper) I would also like to have open bar in this price.

Most reception sites in my area include the cost of the bar and food in a per person price. We live in a high cost of living area. The cheapest plates I've seen start around $70 and work up from there.

We are contributing 12K to the wedding and both set of parents are giving about 3K (give or take) So, we have an 18K budget.

How much should we set aside just for our reception. My top prioprity is feeding my guests well.

Answer 1

if you do a cocktail hour before dinner and that will save a lot money over an open bar. how long to you have to plan. we are all her for any more questions or suggestions LOL! congrats

Answer 2

Here are my suggestions. I think it's definitely within reason.

1- Cut your guest list as much as you can. Don't invite anyone you don't speak to regularly, with the exception of aunts and uncles. Don't invite coworkers, and don't invite random friends. I don't know anyone who wishes they had invited more people to their wedding. Think of it this way: if your reception is $100 a head, ask yourself if it's really worth that much money to have that person there? If not, don't invite them.

2- Consider a Friday night or Sunday wedding. Most places will give you a discount for these dates. Also, July and August are good for discounts (at least here in the northeast, anyway)

3- Check out restaurants and other alternative sites that you might not consider for a wedding. One of the best weddings I ever attended was in a restaruant- we had the whole place to ourselves, and the food was outstanding. We had a choice of six entrees, and we had the ability to make our selection at the table, instead of six weeks in advance.

4- Don't be tempted to spend money on a lot of nonsense stuff. Honestly, the most important things are the food/drink, photography, and you and your husband having a great time. No one really cares about favors, bubbles, table cameras, and the like. It's easy to get wrapped up in these little things, but they're really not necessary at all, and those expenses add up fast.

I had many people tell me that our wedding was one of the best they had ever attended, and the reason they gave was that they could tell that my husband and I were ecstatic. We had a great time the whole day. That is worth more than nearly anything else, believe me. It's a celebration- if you are there ready to celebrate, everyone will have a great time.

Good luck.

Answer 3

first of all, make sure your guest list is people you care about -not every business acquaintance of your family, or every person you ever met!
consider getting married in quieter off season wedding months that would save some money.
choose a newer venue, they usually will give a better price as they are trying to make a name for themselves.....and the more happy brides out there telling people about them the better they like it.
also, ask your reception sites if you give them the number of children will they make a simpler kid friendly meal at a better rate? its an up and coming trend here, so maybe wherever you are will have the same idea.
limit your guest's choices on the menu. honestly two meats and a vegetarian should suffice. desserts on the menu? again just one or two choices. all of this will cut down on your cost. variety add $$$. your reception can still can be elegant but cost effective.
for your cocktail hour, make your appies fairly simple and again limit the selection to just a few. have punch bowls, one with alcohol and one without, also ask the bar to serve wine only.
wine with dinner and then somehow limit drinks, that is your biggest expense overall, try to limit the drinks to three/four per person. no one should be there to get drunk, and you sure don't want anyone getting drunk.
go with round tables, one centerpiece per table as opposed to long rectangular tables needing three or four centerpieces along the length of them. also round tables are far more friendly~people can chat with everyone at their table and not just those at the same end of a long table.
happy wedding sweetie, may your marriage be what dreams are made of!

Answer 4

The reception costs 50% or so of the total budget so for you thats $9000 which for 150 guests are $70 each is slightly less than you need ($1500 less). You can do things cheaper though...
Work of 50% as your minimum needed and prioritise other items in your budget eg, if flowers don't mean that much to you don't get as many and what you save on them can go towards the reception.

Answer 5

It all depends on the venue you are choosing -- they are places that are extremely reasonsble. First thing you should do is consider all the folks you are inviting. Second thing you should do is look at dates to get married - many places will give discounts for Friday or Sunday weddings - Even during the week. Saturdays and popular months (like June) will cost you more. Don't settle on one place - go to food testings at venues and see what food is going to be worth the money you spend on it

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Either way receptions will always cost. I would stick to having an elegant sit down dinner. Try to cut down your guest list. The more you cut down the less it will be.

Answer 8

If you really want to save money, consider a Thursday night. What goes for $120pp here in July on a Saturday night is $65pp on a Thursday same time of year.

Answer 9

I would say bet on spending about 12,000-15,000 on food/beverages for the reception. And don't forget about tipping 20% if not included in contract

Answer 10

You were right.
I was mean.
You're sweet for defending her.

CJ