Station pricing/venue quote

It’s normal to quote for the estimated amount of guests. Maybe when you get a final headcount is when they’ll give you a more accurate number

Food and alcohol are definitely going to be the majority of your budget especially when you have over 200 people. Our cocktail hour, seated dinner and dessert were quoted around $20,000 for 200 people and this didn’t include the alcohol. You can try cutting some food out but be prepared to pay a lot for that many guests regardless. If you truly want to save money, you’re going to need to cut your guest list.

$100 per person isn’t bad for food and drink for all of that. We paid close to $200 per person for food and alcohol. Think about if you go to a nice restaurant and you get appetizers, an entree, several sides, and several cocktails you wouldn’t pay only $25 for that. The way to cut food and alcohol cost is to cut your guest list or have a more casual event where you can get a Mexican or Italian restaurant to cater a buffet.

Unfortunately it’s normal to quote for the exact number of guests. Once you give the final headcount though they should only charge you for that

1) If you’re willing to do brunch instead of dinner, that might save you 20-50% off food costs. 250 guests for a wedding is going to be expensive at a nice venue. $100 PP for dinner & drinks is reasonable. 2) Are you willing to drastically cut your guest list?

Our venue based our proposal/estimates on the numbers we were anticipating to attend — 130 adults, 20 kids, and 10 vendors. They based the open bar on 130 adults and open soda bar on 20 kids. We made our 50% deposit (due 1 month before our wedding), but the final headcount and payment was due a week before the wedding.


Our final numbers ended up being higher for adults and vendors and kids dropped down to around 7.
Agree with all PPs— F&B is typically going to be your biggest wedding expense. With taxes, ours came out to $200/adult, $100/child, $80/vendor.
I would definitely see if the venue is willing to work with you in regards to adjusting your estimates to reflect adults and children. In the grand scheme of it though, it should all adjust by the time your final payment comes around.

"Normal" is defined by your location and your total number of guests.

Where I am, for 250 guests, that would be very cheap!

However, that does sound like a good deal, if you're getting drinks and food for that price.

If you're feeling this is out of your budget, you either need to cut your guest list, or find a new venue.

Hi there! I received a quote earlier on that was like this. And ended up finding another venue. Luckily for me, the venue we need up selecting was our first choice and even thought the price per person was higher ended up being cheaper overall I will say my current venue still requires me go get a total head count, but they have a reduced price for 2-12 years olds. Everything over goes to the adult rate, and everything under is free. I will also say that when I added the booze package they went and charged for the total head count including kids and that is just something I had to accept. I went ahead and added these are groups on my RSVP Cards. (It was also a lot simpler to add such questions on,a wedding website). If you absolutely want go have it there, may be ask about finding an alternative food vendor?

It's Normal. Our Quote Is For 70 people Because Thats The Max Our Reception Space Will Hold, But Our Personal Guest List Is 60 People. It Will Be Adjusted Later On

Yes, it is normal to be quoted for your estimated guest count. However many people you plan on inviting, that is how many people your venue will quote you to pay for because if you invite them, they may all show up.

Thanks for all your feedback guys!