Catering Proposal

Erynn - Thats a wonderful idea omg thanks , I will look into that

Erynn, that is the worst idea ever. A wedding is not a backyard birthday party; it is a significant event with many,many people coming. You can run out of food. You can have dirty dishes and debris everywhere. You can have people get sick. You can have food that tastes like crap. You can have your venue not even allow them in the building on the day of your wedding because they are not workmens comped, insured or licensed in your state/town.

A student's 'best work" is not going to be professional quality. Please do not go this route.

I think Celia is going over board with worst idea ever. There are have been plenty of worse ideas seen on ww. She is correct in saying that it is a risk. A big risk for yourself and your guests. If it goes well consider yourself blessed!

Brian & Celia - you make very valid points and i dont want those things to be a issue on my Big Day

Rachele- I believe you are in the DMV area. You should really look into Martin's Caterers for catering if you like that them they are in your budget. Out of alot of prices I have heard in this area Martin's seem to have the best accomodations for their price or close to it.

Ours includes the ceremony/reception/catering/cake/open bar the entire time and that price includes the 20% gratuity and 6% tax...the only thing is they had dates that were 30% off so we chose out date around one of those days...so we got a good deal

Your quote I would say is average in this area but there are places a little less than that.

Good Luck! =)

$84pp including venue, cake, and some decor...I have 170 people...I live in the northeast

Brian did you read my post? I didn't say it was a great idea. I said that it wasn't the worst idea ever. I have seen several other ideas on ww that you and others have jumped on. I don't need anyones resume. I agree with Celia that it is a big risk and also if everything comes out ok they will be blessed. I should have just copied and pasted my previous post.

We are paying 6500 but that includes hors d'ovres, a 4 star buffet with many options, open bar including premium alcohol and champagne, cake cutting service. This is for 30 people. 1200 of that is the captains ceremony and dj. So i would say we are paying about 5300 for the food and alcohol. I guess we're also paying so much cause we'll be cruising the puget sound around seattle.

We are paying 6500 but that includes hors d'ovres, a 4 star buffet with many options, open bar including premium alcohol and champagne, cake cutting service. This is for 30 people. 1200 of that is the captains ceremony and dj. So i would say we are paying about 5300 for the food and alcohol. I guess we're also paying so much cause we'll be cruising the puget sound around seattle.

So basically you strongly disagreed with "the worst idea ever". Good to know. I will expect to never see that phrase used for any other idea on ww.

For an estimated 150 ppl...

Food (passed and plated hors d'ovres, with multiple buffet dinner options) - $5600
Refreshments (pop, juice, water)- $525
Open Bar for guests 21 and up- $1320
Bartenders- $250

Tiffany - Thanks I will look into Martins.....

Tamara are you having your wedding on a cruise ship

$5600 for 60. This includes two plated meal selections. Cocktail hour. Hors d'ovres. Alcohol. Cake. Complimentary Champagne toasts for every guest. (This also includes my ceremony/reception venue costs).

But ya did...

Jasmine that's a GREAT price for open bar! Does your venue let you bring in the liquor?

5600 for buffet in CA. This does not include bartending or the cake or alcohol (because our venue will allow us to bring our own).

See Ladies

I could work with $5600 or so maybe i need to look into bringing my own alcohol

A great idea that worked and we were able to save about 70% was tell them that you want the banquet package and you can build up and get what you want because alot of places raise up the prices for the wedding package. The lady where we went is throwing in the table linens and centerpieces(although I want to do my own for these) at no cost. So just ask questions, you will be surprised what you can get....good luck!

Thanks Lori

You need to figure out a price per person cost to really see if the estimate is worth what you are getting. Does the 7900 include taxes and service charges? Either way you are paying about $65 pp and that does sound pretty high to me unless you are getting everyone steak with all the trimmings. The average tax is 6-8% and most service fees are 18-20%, which is just money in your caterers pocket, so try to negotiate to get as many freebies and upgrades as you can. My venue is doing the catering and it's $50 pp (kids $25) with all tax and service fees, but that includes all the linens/plates/flatware/centerpieces and the Bar-be-que buffet (2 meats, 2 sides, rolls and a salad), plus a veggie platter, regular drinks (tea & punch) and a full bar with bartender (that's what really made it worth it). They also threw in a chocolate fountain with fruit for 1/2 price (only $125.) So, again, figure out your total budget per person and then find out what you can get for that amount.

@Rachele W.: You might try looking at restaurants instead of formal catering companies for your catering. For example, in the DC area, Boston Market does wedding catering, and their prices are extremely reasonable.