Restaurant vs Catering

Well that comes out to about $17/person. That's fairly cheap- I think a restaurant would be more, if not the same!

You'd have to get quotes from a specific restaurant because they may allow you to set a limited menu. Does that quote include alcohol? Not sure where you are but I'd expect to spend about $65/pp for food and beverages (including alcohol) AT LEAST at a really good restaurant. That's $3900 before tip. Also - your quote seems really low, $17/pp? Again, not sure where you are but what kind of food is that.

ETA: 60 people at a restaurant may require a buyout which will be costly.

We're doing BBQ and the reception will be dry since it's in the middle of the afternoon and won't be going past 5 or 6. We're not doing a ton of food, just a small meal because the drive to our church is a little long and we don't want our guests to be starving if we only have cake. I guess that is true that a restaurant would be about the same pp, if not more.

Thats a really low price for catering. I dont think a restaurant will be cheaper. Also, many restaurants can't accommodate that size without making it a private event (closing down the whole restaurant), which is going to increase your spending minimum.

You need to call some restaurants, but you also need to find out the other costs from the caterer; staff, rentals/disposables. And venue costs if you need to rent one.

No dry please.

I see what you're doing - an afternoon reception that would normally be cake and punch but you want to add a meal. If you're able to add beer and wine (is your reception at the church?) I would. Stick with the catering for that number of people.

That's a lot cheaper than a restaurant. Does that include alcohol? What about rentals and the cost of a venue space?

Our reception is at the church which is another reason for a dry wedding. The caterer said that quote includes staff and plates. The church we're using is completely free (though we plan on giving a love offering) so we're pretty set on it and we won't need to rent any tables or linens or anything. Thanks for the input! Based on the numbers some of you guys have I think this sounds like a pretty great deal.

It definitely be more, especially if you are allowing guests to order what they want.

We're doing a buffet-style reception at a local restaurant and it's about the same price per person (a tad more) as the catering quote you got. If you wanted to do a restaurant reception and keep it cheap, you'd have to find one that has a separate party room/banquet area that allows you to have a limited menu for your reception. If you just went to a restaurant and asked for seating for 60, you'd definitely be coming out more expensive since people would be ordering straight off the regular menu.

That's pretty inexpensive. However, it wouldn't hurt to get restaurant quotes too. You have to call around to restaurants in your area - you would want to take you group to a restaurant with a private dining room. Most nice restaurants that do private events will have a catering menu online or they can email it to you. We had our RD at a restaurant and we had enough people that they did a pre-selected menu. If you have enough people, they will do a pre-selected menu vs. just ordering off the regular menu.

That's CHEAP lol. Not in a bad way, just...holy shit that's cheap! Around here, even a lunch venue would be around $35pp, not including alcohol. Definitely check restaurant pricing though, because you didn't specify if that quote included the space you'll need to have set up for 60 people...it may be more per person at a restaurant but you won't have to worry about set up, serving, take down, clean up, etc.

We had a small party in my hometown since many people can't make it to the wedding. It was in a private room at a more casual, family restaurant, and they worked with me to make a small menu of half a dozen meals to pick from and the prices included drink and dessert. It was about $15-20 pp, depending on which meal they choose. I think your price for catering is very good, if you know their food is good and there are not a lot of other costs (linens, tableware, etc.) theni think it's your best option.

With this catering does it include rentals for tables/seating/linen/plates for 60?

Does it include beverages?

(Just something to factor into the cost when trying to compare it for what you'll get going to a restaurant)

You're pretty much talking about two different parties; a dry luncheon in the church basement, or a maybe slightly dry wedding at a restaurant. Of course the restaurant is going to be more expensive, but the decision also depends on the priorities that drive you.

IMHO, the restaurant wedding would be more gracious and more fun; a nicer way to reward guests who are traveling to be with you. Will it be in your budget? Maybe not, but you're dealing with a fairly intimate group, so even an increase in price (especially over a year away) may not be a deal breaker.

That is extremely inexpensive for 60 people. A restaurant will be far more and people will want to order alcohol at a restaurant (which you would have pay for).