I fell in love with an amazing venue and my Mom immediately booked the week after we saw it.
It's got a view of the water, amazing food, and a modern ballroom :)
It's on the higher end of weddings and comes out to $151.00/plate. With the option of Chicken or Grouper. Might I add that this is one of the best resturants in Miami (super expensive for weddings) and well known for their phenomenal view.
I originally thought that my parents (after a few discussions) would cut some family members that we do not keep in touch with, nor do I have any relationship with them. (Dads fam lives all over the country, with 10+ siblings, I have over 104 1st cousins) My father was all for it.. until the payments started and he reviewed the guest list. He was like "since I'm paying they need to go." They cut a lot of my friends (at this point, I believe I only have 5 friends going) so that ppl I probably won't see again for a couple of years. We made changes for no children. We're at around 180 total; 94 being from my side. FI's family is huge as well.
Because of the high cost, I did not put the beef filet mignon option-which brings the cost up to $171./plate not including the 22% service charge.
Right now with the 151/plate, we're at 23 grand for 120. (his parents will pay the difference).
His Mom said that its unheard of to go to a wedding without a beef option:( It really hurts my feelings when she says what are ___ going to eat? That it's ridiculous and compares me to my SIL's wedding.. that was done in a hotel. I feel like she thinks stuff like that my family is cheap.
I have been thinking of taking off altogether the grouper option on the plated dinner to save some money.
Is this menu ok? Would you be offended or think it was cheap?
*5 hours deluxe open bar,
*butler passed Hors D'Ouevres
-pork belly skewer
-mini crab cakes
-shrimp ceviche
-tuna tataki
-blackened grouper skewer
-sea scallop tiradito
*Champagne Toast
*Wine service with dinner
*Plated two course meal
-lobster crudo (appetizer)
-chucken or grouper
*Dessert
-red velvet wedding cake
Would you be offended if you only had a chicken option (which I've been thinking about doing to bring the price down to $134/plate?
Do you think Grouper and Chicken option is good?
I feel like people won't remember "they only had chicken" about our wedding..
Um, no definitely not cheap. A lot of brides would kill to have a menu like this.
I think grouper and chicken is great, I think just chicken is also fine. I assume there's also a vegetarian option available even if it's not publicized.
I think your FMIL is ridiculous. I've been to plenty of weddings without a beef option - do people really need beef every time they eat a meal? No. Sounds like if she wants that upgrade so bad she can pay for it.
One thing you don't mention is any kind of vegetable - is there a salad or are veggies served as a side dish?
Not cheap. Kind of over the top, honestly.
If you have SEVEN appetizers, will people even be able to eat dinner? And if you are serving grouper as a main course, why have that as one of the passed apps?
I think what you need is a vegetarian option, not a beef/fish option, honestly. There's basically nothing for a vegetarian to eat.
@oneofthesethings: Yes, there's an arugala salad.
This post is taking so much anxiety away already. I've been crying about this so much. It's been awful:(
I feel like I am in a similar situation to yours. We only have a chicken, fish (salmon), and a vegetarian option at our wedding. We also decided not to upgrade to inclusde the beef option because it would have brought up the price $15 more per person. I am also having a choice of 8 passed Hors D'Ouevres, an open bar all night, champagne toast and wine pour with dinner. I think that makes up for not having a beef option. I would much rather be at a wedding with an open bar.
I justified not having a beef option by telling myself food was not a top priority - I don't remeber what I had to eat at most of the weddings I have been to! The food is not what your guests will remember about your wedding!
I would go with just the chicken if I were you since it would significantly reduce the costs. I think it's okay to not have beef as an option.
This looks fantastic. I personally as a guest wouldn't mind a chicken-only option, but I do know some people who cannot eat chicken (I actually know two, I was really surprised but it's a real thing, not crazy people).
I definitely do not think you need to add beef. I would NEVER cut 50 people (or even 5 people) to add an extra meal option.
Definitely not cheap. However, it is extremely seafood heavy. I realize you are in Miami, but lots of people are scared of seafood (particularly if you have people flying in from other parts of the country). Personally I would be thrilled with this menu because I am a seafood lover, but I would consider switching some of the hors d'oeuvres for some non-seafood options (and make the first course a salad) in the interest of crowd pleasing. If someone is a vegetarian or was allergic to shellfish, they won't be able to eat anything.
I would be totally happy with that, but I would keep the grouper. Is there a vegetarian option? If so maybe you could have that listed on the menu and then cut the fish.
Umm no that is a silly thing to say. Your menu looks delish. What about bumping up the Hors D'Ouevres to have a few beefier options? That way guests wont notice a lack of beef for the main meal.
Umm, not cheap at all! FMIL is being rude.
We are having chicken as our plated dinner to save on costs. No beef option here. We are also getting a vegetarian (penne pasta) meal for family members that don't eat meat.
We also chose the venue for the location and water view and 5000 sq ft elegant ballroom. I feel like the last thing people are going to say when they look back on the night is "omgosh, I had to eat chicken!"
:) save the $$ !!!
I think it's typical to have chicken and either beef/fish. So, you have chicken and a fish option I think that's fine.
I do think people should have a choice though, so I wouldn't go with just chicken.
@SunshineLovin: i don't think it's a cheap menu at all but i do think that there is too much fish and seafood throughout the menu. i know many people who will not care for the menu due to this.
there is no reason to have grouper as an app and a main. i would have a couple of vegetarian appetizer in lieu of the seafood ones.
pork loin is another inexpensive meat that could be served at dinner. i think more guests would choose pork over grouper.
these are just some suggestions. i don't know your guests, you do, so you know best.
I think the menu sounds fine.I do not eat red meat,so I wouldn't care if beef was served or not..lol.Don't worry about it.It's only food!
Ignore your FMIL! Your menu shoulds FINE. I even think getting rid of the grouper would be fine.. Most everyone likes chicken.. the only concern I would have is what is available for your vegeterians to eat (or you may know for sure you don't have any). I am not doing a vegeterian option (We are doing pork and chicken) because I know for a fact none of my guests are vegeterian.
@SunshineLovin: "His Mom said that its unheard of to go to a wedding without a beef option." Well, she's hearing of it now, and ya learn something new every day, FMIL! ;) Your menu is lovely. If she wants to fork over a couple grand for beef, she can do it, otherwise, the menu stands.
I think this looks totally fine and it would still be totally fine with only chicken. No one, I repeat NO ONE NEEDS to eat red meat at every meal. They will have the chicken, (or the fish), and they'll be just fine, (and it'll be better for their health!)
I've been to two weddings that had only one option for the plated meal. One had chicken wellington and one had duck. No one complained. Everyone was satiated and happy.
Tell your FMIL that if she wants a beef option so badly, she can pay the per plate cost difference herself.
I think your menu looks great. I went to one wedding where everyone was served the same chicken dish. I was a little put off by it, but your wedding sounds like a different scenario (good quality food, lots of appetizers). Plus, that wedding had no free booze -- your open bar would be enough for me to forgive any food-related things!
Your menu looks lovely. And it certainly isn't cheap at those prices!
My only caution to you is that the cheap, **** food which I associate with weddings involves chicken and two types of veg. I was 100% sure that the one thing I did NOT want to serve at my wedding was chicken with veg. That said, with such nice hors d'oevres, you could probably get away with it.
Your alternative would be to ditch the chicken, and to just have grouper... or even grouper and something else, like a vegetarian option. Interestingly, how are you cartering for vegetarians/vegans/halal/kosher? I always find it a major headache, but I do think that you need to provide one option for these people! I've decided to just go vegetarian and have one veggie option for each course, seeing as most vegetarian dishes are automatically halal and kosher anyway (at least, all of MY veggie options are halal and kosher, because I checked). I don't know if vegans will be coming, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, LOL!
this looks AWESOME! with that many appetizers, the beauty of the venue (as you described it), and oh, the 5 hour open BAR...cheap? NO WAY! i might fly to Miami to crash your wedding ;-)
one idea (if this is possible) is to cut out the grouper appetizer and add a beef appetizer instead. I do agree w/PPs about having a vegetarian option...especially with the lobster (I'm drooling over here!) appetizer course, and several seafood appetizer options, I think you can do without the grouper.
Seriously, I have no idea what FMIL is talking about...and if she really wants filet mignon as an option, then she can pay for it. I agree w/PPs about not cutting guest lists just to tweak (what I think is an awesome) menu.
That looks great and not cheap at all!
BTW I LOVE GROUPER! It is one of my favorite fishes! Please keep all the grouper (especially for the entree). yum. I used to eat blackened grouper every weekend and I miss it so much.
Cutting the grouper would be a travesty in my opinion!
There is a lot of seafood...but you're in Florida so I think it's great 
@Rachel631: Nobody we know is vegetarian that's going. It's mostly a hispanic wedding, everyone else is from the midwest. I know prob more people who only eat chicken and don't eat beef (that's why I thought just chicken). My Moms family that is Jewish does not keep kosher. From what the venue said, there are vegetarian options and the chicken is considered kosher. I've thought about ditching chicken but there are always people who don't like fish options. The grouper to me sounds delicious. They had a sea bass option too. Maybe I'll change to that?! I love seabass! The grouper is oven roasted and the appetizer is blackened. So that's why I didn't think it'd be a big deal.
Thanks everyone!
Your menu definitely does not look cheap, but it is very seafood heavy. I also see you are serving grouper duing the cocktail hour as well. If you're set with grouper for your Hors D'Ouevres maybe change the grouper at dinner for beef or another meat or vice versa. I'm not a big seafood eater, so I know I would not be eating much during cocktail hour. I also I don't see a vegatarian option, you know your guest better but that could also be an alternative to beef/meat or fish. As for you FMIL, she's just being rude! Honestly I went to two weddings in 2012 (not counting mine) and I can't remember for the life of me what I had for dinner.
okay, just read your response. so maybe stick with chicken and grouper entree options. orrr...sea bass, yum! i still think i would switch the group app out for a beef or veg app, though...but just a minor detail.
If I were you, I would cut the champagne toast and the deluxe bar, and use the money instead to offer a beef option. While deluxe bar is lovely, many guests will be happy with beer, wine, bar rail only. Especially if its open bar.
I agree that the menu is very seafood heavy and I'd be worried about some of your guests feeling like there's nothing to eat if they don't like seafood.
While I love champagne toasts, keep in mind that many people don't like champagne at all. At my venue, it was going to cost $6/glass, so it was an easy decision to cut it altogether. No one cared because they just helped themselves to the open bar instead :)
I don't think your menu looks cheap at all, in fact I think it looks delicious! My biggest question would be who is paying? If your parents and/or his parents are paying and can cover the additional cost of food, let them, why not! If they are not contributing, well, they've already cut your guest list so freakin' much, they should not get to win this battle too!
Damn! That's a swanky menu!!! I do like me some beef...but seafood is sooo yum! I'd be a happy camper :)
You FMIL is nuts! You don't need a beef option. When I was reading and I got to the part where you said you were considering cutting the grouper I thought - NO!!!!! But that's because I would probably pick grouper. If I didn't know it was an option, I wouldn't miss it. But I do think it's a good idea to have 2 options, in case someone doesn't like one of the main dishes. So I would keep the chicken and grouper as main dishes. You could offset this cost by nixing the grouper app. Honestly you could nix another of the seafood apps and you'd still be fine. Or sub for a red meat - maybe that would appease FMIL? Or a veggie - vegetarians would have it hard with this menu. And you can easily nix the champagne toast and downgrade to regular open bar without losing anything important. As a guest I would rather have 2 options for my entree than top shop liquor and champagne toast (not everyone likes champage, but you could have it as an option at the bar).
your menu looks amazing and definitely NOT cheap. you are paying a ton of money and already getting a ton of food, so i say go with just chicken.. people can deal! i think its crazy and unfair that they made you cut your friends out of the list :/
I definitely think that only chicken (or chicken, fish and veggie) is totally fine -- you have a nice spread there.
I would agree w PP that its really fish heavy (which I personally love but I have lots and lot of fish hating friends/family... including some allergies) - I would trade out at least one fish app for beef something and probably another for something veggie friendly (cheese plate?)
I also agree w the PP that mentioned that non-premium bar might be another way to save... I know at my venue its a $10/pp upcharge for premium from well
Grouper is a lovely expensive fish that we cannot get enough of, but is not available here in the Northeast veryoften. I think it is super special to serve at your wedding.
@SunshineLovin: Mmmmm.... seabass... can I come? nom nom nom...
In all seriousness, though, there are always people who are more fussy than you think. There will be people who are kosher or vegetarian who don't publicise the fact. Also, offering a veggie option is a great way to remove opposition to your menu. For example:
Guest A, super fussy eater: *thinks AAARGH! I HATE FISH/CHICKEN!* Says "I'm really sorry, but I'm not so sure about X option because I am wheat intolerant/vegan".
You (all sweetness and spice): "That's totally fine! You can just have option B, which meets all of your requirements!"
Guest A is stuck now... they can't just say "I hate fish/chicken" because you already killed that option. Therefiore, you have won, and they must pick from your selection.
Honestly, make sure you have a vegetarian/wheat free/kosher option B.... you'll thank me later!
@JenGirl: This is a package, getting everything a la carte.. ends up being around 6, grand more:( I already talked to the event planner about switching things around.
Also, they add a $12. sharing fee. So I wouldn't pay for the 20 people who just get the beef at the $159 price.. I'd pay for everyone at that price:(
Trust me, I find it so frustrating!
Our families are Irish & Hispanic... so everyone drinking top shelf is major! It's the first question everyone asks us hahaha. Hopefully, everyone will just get drunk and forget there was no beef ;-) Hehe! jkkk!
They didn't give us a vegetarian option but I will email the event coordinator.. just to be sure. Thanks for all of the advice! Ya'll are making me feel so much better! I was really worried before I posted... so thankful for the support.
I think chicken is just FINE!!! I dont get why people think they need options. You pay a TON of $$$ now a days for people to come to your wedding, it is an honor and they shouldnt assume to have choices. (I am having 2 options but thats whats included in my venue) If you need to save the cash just keep it as chicken. You have a lot of other food throughout the wedding and you're having a nice bar. Make sure the music is great and everyone will have a wonderful time and no one will even think about the fact that they didnt get to 'choose' their meal!!!
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