New Years Eve Wedding

You are going to pay prime prices for NYE's weddings. Everything will be more. Our normal Saturday rates are $130 in food and beverage, but on NYE's it is $175 in food and beverage. This will be the norm I think for most vendors. I personally would love to go to a wedding on NYE's.

Check with all of your VIPs. A ton of people have standing plans for NYE and could tell you now they can't come. And yep, the markup is huge.

One good thing is that my fiance is very good friend of the owner of the banquet hall and he has given us a very and I mean very good price per plate $60 plus it also includes setting up, flowers, servers, cake, free champaign, and 5 hours open bar. I have checked on photography and that is way up high

I'd double check the $60 pp price. He'd lose money.

I went to one and never again. The hotel was expensive, the valet parking was expensive, my husband's tuxedo rental was expensive ...

Now that we are parents, it's impossible and expensive to get babysitters for NYE. We'd go to a family event at a friend's house, instead.

Nobody is giving you $60/pp. There's something wrong.

I think a NYE wedding could be fun, but you would for sure need to have the right party atmosphere like PPs have said. Also send out STDs early, so people have time to plan ahead.

$60 per person is really low, especially in the Chicago area for all that is included in that price.

Get that price locked in, in writing, asap. It doesn't matter if he's a friend. Get that in a contract and get it iron-clad.

60$ per person that includes all of that on NYE? Are you sure it isn't just 60$pp for the food?

I would double check whatever contract you were given because that seems highly off even for a good friend, on such a big national holiday in a major metropolitan area like Chicago. I would definitely double check and clarify.

I thought so too, but nope that's the price. We were first planning on getting married in August and gave us the pp $55, and when told him about new year's eve, he just said I'll charge you $5 more.

The contract is signed

Well I would certainly get that in writing in a contract and make sure all that is included in that price is listed VS what is an additional charge and read that through with a fine tooth comb before you sign anything.

ETA: Just saw it is signed. I hope everything was clearly laid out and nothing comes up as a surprise charge down the road.

I'm thinking you probably should have researched pricing for various vendor services before going with a holiday like this one in particular, OP. But that ship appears to have sailed.

However, if you're needing to stick within a solid budget and haven't gotten any quotes from folks yet, you need to do that ASAP and be prepared to possibly change your date. I agree, NYE tends to come with a higher standard for a "party" so if you don't have the budget to really make that happen, you might be to rethink having your wedding on NYE.

Just a heads up that the dinner choices most likely do not include the prime rib, stuffed chicken breast, the two filet mignon choices, or marinated chicken breast, as there are no upcharges filled in on your contract. The other choices sound tasty, and are similar to what I had at my casual-but-classy tent wedding, but they may not be as "NYE fabulous" as people may expect. It might be worth it to put out a few extra bucks per head for the fancier entrées.

Thank you everyone for you input. I will definitely check on everything and yes will definitely see about the fancier entrees.

My FIL have a New Year's Eve anniversary - and from what I hear it was a great time for everyone! It gave everyone a place to be and everyone was ready for a good party.

It looks like there is a time limit on the reception. I think a NYE wedding would be fun, but as a guest I would be annoyed if the reception ended before midnight since the whole point of NYE is to celebrate ringing in the new year. I would think you would need the reception space until at least 12:30 am. Also, your bar should be open for the entire reception. There is an hour difference between the allotted "party time" and bar time.

I think 5.5 hrs would be enough if you start it later, most people don't go to new years parties until 7 or 8 anyways. I wouldn't worry too much about a pastor marrying you on NYE, you'll find someone. My one friend is presbytryrian (cant spell) and she's getting married on NYE at a fancy venue too, we aren't that close so idk how all her planning is going but I know she did NYE and was excited about it.

We will be at the banquet for after midnight. I will recheck the bar part, well I'll make him do the talking it's his friend lol. I do think that 5.5 hours is also good.

There are a few hotels close by the venue and our place will be open and ready if anyone wants to stay and party a little bit longer lol.