|
Wedding Planning Tips For Brides on a Budget
and Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get some great ideas for a luau party or
tropical theme wedding?
$26,750.00
35% - 50%.
Mid-afternoon. Your guests have already eaten lunch and will not require
an extensive menu. Therefore, light hors d'oeuvres (finger foods) or a dessert reception will be more than adequate.
Serve an alcoholic & non-alcoholic punch in lieu of a bar.
No bones about it, the cocktail reception is the way to go - for two
reasons. First, in most circumstances, the caterer makes more profit on a cocktail reception -- they're happy.
Secondly, in most cases, it's cheaper "per person" to have a cocktail reception -- you're happy. Everybody's happy!
Yes, take the total number of people you have invited and multiply that number
by .66 and multiply that number by 1.15. Example: 300 invited x .66 = 198 x 1.15 = 228 people expected.
For the few children who inevitably show up at your reception, place
coloring books and small games on a table in a corner of the reception hall. You will be amazed at how this will preoccupy
their time!
Assign someone with tape in hand to monitor the gift table. As the
gifts arrive, this attendant will physically tape the loose cards to the proper gift.
You can anticipate putting down 50% of the total package upon the signing of the contract.
Yes, and ask your caterer for a 50% discount on the children that are
8-years old and younger. Most caterers will be happy to do this for you. You just need to ask!
You probably won't. You will be too busy greeting and visiting
your guests. TIP: Make advance arrangements with your caterer to pack you a picnic basket for your departure. You supply the
basket. Tell the caterer not to forget the drinks and two slices of the wedding cake.
Your guests will probably thank you in advance for NOT having one.
It takes forever standing in line when they're ready to eat. They'll have plenty of time during the reception to approach
you and offer their congratulations.
There is absolutely no need to order LARGE napkins for a cocktail reception.
Beverage napkins will be more than adequate. Calculate number of guests times 2.5 for your napkin needs. You'll need them
at the beverage tables, cake tables, and food tables.
Absolutely not. You want your guest to mingle and afford them the opportunity
to meet one another. If you arrange for 75% of your guests to have a place to sit, that will be more than adequate. If everyone
were sitting, they would feel strange sitting around and staring at one another.
Certainly not. Some etiquette protocols may dispute this but it's the
opinion of this author that your guests have come to share their best wishes, not their best highball. You would feel horrible
if someone were involved in a serious car accident after leaving your reception.
Two hours tops. You are going to be eager to proceed with your honeymoon
plans, the
parents will need to get home and relieve their babysitters and the wedding party will be ready to get out of
their uncomfortable ceremony clothes.
Consider this: Your minister is likely spending his time with your
premarital counseling, the rehearsal and the ceremony. From my experiences with this particular issue, $150.00 is an adequate
sum. Of course, you may want to exceed this amount but consider the $150.00 a minimum.
It is imperative to have a drinking straw and bottle of water handy.
Chances are your mouth will become extremely dry at the last minute and you'll need something to drink. Using a straw will
prevent you from ruining that perfect lipstick application.
With a bar: 1 lb. per person. Without a bar: 1/2 lb. per person.
You don't. Kindly ask this person's sober spouse or best friend to
take them home.
For 100 guests: 4 cups sour cream, 1 lb. light brown sugar, 4 Tablespoons
cinnamon, 1 oz. Kahlua. Mix all ingredients well - pour in small bowl(s) and place in the middle or alongside the fresh fruit
tray(s).
Depending on the experience of the baker and degree of difficulty,
you can anticipate paying a minimum of $3.00 per slice.
Depending on the size of the guest list, a church's fellowship hall,
a clubhouse in an upscale apartment or condominium complex, a park or recreation facility, a friend's house, a friend's lake
house, a friend's farm, a local community center, VFW or other organizational halls.
Typically, 50% - 75%. Example: If your caterer charges $25.00 per person
for 100 guests = $2500.00. You can easily do it yourself for $500.00 - $750.00.
Your friends will think you're nuts. You're up to your eyeballs in
wedding plans, and now you want to cater your own reception. They probably picture you racing around the kitchen an hour before
the ceremony, stirring Swedish meatball sauce with one hand and applying mascara with the other while your mother tries to
paint your toenails and your dad hyperventilates about getting to the church on time. Tell your friends to relax. The Cater
Your Own Wedding definition of self-catering is not, "The bride slaves over a hot oven for weeks and shows up at the wedding
with singed eyebrows and barbecue sauce under her fingernails." By following any of the easy reception plans in my book, you
won't have much more to do than you would if you hired a professional caterer. Other brides have - you can too!
Absolutely not. Simply put, it's rude. Have the host/hostess to announce
to your guests upon arrival that you are having last-minute photos taken and that you have requested that they go ahead and
enjoy their refreshments and that you will be along momentarily.
At a cocktail-type reception, immediately after entering the reception
hall. Getting this task accomplished "first thing" allows your service staff to cut and distribute the cake in a timely fashion.
At a full-service sit-down reception, naturally after the meal is completed.
Nine times out of ten, the package route is the way to go. There's
nothing worse than having to rush through your wedding due to time restraints with the photographer. Note: This is one vendor
that you DO NOT want to skimp on. Pay the money. At the end of the day, the food and decorations will be gone; however, your
pictures are going to last a lifetime.
Both. Initially, have it in place at the ceremony. Then, have someone
assigned to take it to the reception for those who didn't have an opportunity to sign earlier.
We're planning on stocking our own bar. How much alcohol should we buy?
Here's a basic guideline for 100 guests:
Beer - Total 9 Cases
Domestic
3 cases
Imported 3 cases
Lite 3 cases
Wine - Total 5 Cases
Chardonnay 3 Cases
White
Zinfandel 1 Case
Cabernet Sauvignon 1 Case
Champagne
1-2
Cases
Hard liquor
Vodka 5 liters
Gin 3 liters
Rum 2 liters
Scotch 2 liters
Bourbon
2 liters
Vermouth 750ml
Kahlua 2 liters
Others to Consider: (l liter of each)
Bailey's Irish Cream
Grand Marnier
Amaretto
Sambuca
Brandy
Frangelico
Chambord
|
