We had to do our RD on a shoestring budget, so at a local restaurant we're getting a HUGE buffet (3-4 entrees, multiple sides, salad, etc) for $19.95 plus a $35 room rental fee. For 25 people we'll come in right around $535-550. It will be classy and cozy at the same time. I didn't have to worry about alcholo since no one in my family drinks, so perhaps this is where I'm saving so much money...
My mom hosted a picnic RD for my brother last summer. She spent $450ish and we had tons of home made food, salad, fruit, multiple desserts and drinks (non alcohol since it was in a national park). The cost of the rental of the picnic shelter (which was made of stone and had a fireplace, it was really pretty) was about $100, so she really only spent $350 on food for 30+ people. It was really elegant with pretty tablecloths, decorated paper plates, and fancy napkins.
RDs don't have to be lavish--its family and friends. Its a time to relax and rejuvenate before the big day.
About $900 for 30 people in a Chinese restaurant. I'm fudging a little because we BYOB'd and used wine, beer & champagne that we put into the wedding budget, so I didn't count it toward RD costs. Still, I'd say even if you added that, we'd be under $40/head, which is a good price for a nice dinner including alcohol. Also, we took home leftovers and several families consumed them for days. No lie. So can I deduct costs for meals we *didn't* have to buy later?
i've been researching in SF and it'll probably be around $55/pp. But with alcohol, tax and gratuity, I'd say an easy $5k.
Do any of the sf brides want to share where your rehearsal dinners will be? We haven't decided yet.... I'd love to do it at Bistro Jeanty but I think it would be min $7k....
I am having my RD in the Denver/Boulder area, so it may be cheaper than other parts of the country. We are hosting ours as a "welcome party", so we plan to invite the entire guest list. Since I wanted a more formal wedding and the FI wanted a party, we compromised and the welcome party will be his big event. The welcome party will be hosted in a bar/grill within walking distance to the main hotel we have blocked off (http://www.darkhorsebar.com/).
Here is my cost breakdown:
Appetizers/Burgers(We will let veggies order off of the menu)/Fries buffet for 150 people and soft drinks @$1500
Bluegrass Band for 2 hours @ $1000
Checkered Table Cloth Rental (The site will provide for free)/Sunflower Centerpieces (a single bloom floating in a clear vase) to make the dive bar look less "divey" @ $200
Groom's Cake (Sheet cake with ski figurines) @$250
Total $2950
This does not include liquor as I do not plan to offer an open bar for our guests two nights in a row, nor do I want a hungover FI :)
Our guests are being spoiled by a welcome party, OOT bags and a charter bus to take them to/from the wedding, so I hope that they will be okay with us buying dinner and buying their own drinks as desired.
Wow....I'm in sticker shock here, lol.
We had to do our RD on a shoestring budget, so at a local restaurant we're getting a HUGE buffet (3-4 entrees, multiple sides, salad, etc) for $19.95 plus a $35 room rental fee. For 25 people we'll come in right around $535-550. It will be classy and cozy at the same time. I didn't have to worry about alcholo since no one in my family drinks, so perhaps this is where I'm saving so much money...
My mom hosted a picnic RD for my brother last summer. She spent $450ish and we had tons of home made food, salad, fruit, multiple desserts and drinks (non alcohol since it was in a national park). The cost of the rental of the picnic shelter (which was made of stone and had a fireplace, it was really pretty) was about $100, so she really only spent $350 on food for 30+ people. It was really elegant with pretty tablecloths, decorated paper plates, and fancy napkins.
RDs don't have to be lavish--its family and friends. Its a time to relax and rejuvenate before the big day.
posted by TwoLovelyBerries17 5 months agoAbout $900 for 30 people in a Chinese restaurant. I'm fudging a little because we BYOB'd and used wine, beer & champagne that we put into the wedding budget, so I didn't count it toward RD costs. Still, I'd say even if you added that, we'd be under $40/head, which is a good price for a nice dinner including alcohol. Also, we took home leftovers and several families consumed them for days. No lie. So can I deduct costs for meals we *didn't* have to buy later?
posted by princesskittyHI 5 months agoi've been researching in SF and it'll probably be around $55/pp. But with alcohol, tax and gratuity, I'd say an easy $5k.
Do any of the sf brides want to share where your rehearsal dinners will be? We haven't decided yet.... I'd love to do it at Bistro Jeanty but I think it would be min $7k....
posted by bora 5 months agoI am having my RD in the Denver/Boulder area, so it may be cheaper than other parts of the country. We are hosting ours as a "welcome party", so we plan to invite the entire guest list. Since I wanted a more formal wedding and the FI wanted a party, we compromised and the welcome party will be his big event. The welcome party will be hosted in a bar/grill within walking distance to the main hotel we have blocked off (http://www.darkhorsebar.com/).
Here is my cost breakdown:
Appetizers/Burgers(We will let veggies order off of the menu)/Fries buffet for 150 people and soft drinks @$1500
Bluegrass Band for 2 hours @ $1000
Checkered Table Cloth Rental (The site will provide for free)/Sunflower Centerpieces (a single bloom floating in a clear vase) to make the dive bar look less "divey" @ $200
Groom's Cake (Sheet cake with ski figurines) @$250
Total $2950
This does not include liquor as I do not plan to offer an open bar for our guests two nights in a row, nor do I want a hungover FI :)
Our guests are being spoiled by a welcome party, OOT bags and a charter bus to take them to/from the wedding, so I hope that they will be okay with us buying dinner and buying their own drinks as desired.
posted by ErinMarieMack 5 months agowe had 25 people at our rehearsal dinner at a restaurant (danal) in manhattan. the total was $1700, which works out to $68 pp.
hope that helps!
posted by mrsbee 5 months ago