Beata D
Well, my fiance and I are getting married at the Orcutt Ranch in Westhills about 20 minutes from Los Angeles and are looking for some help.
We are on a tight budget (want to do dinner for around $10 per person) and will have around 150 guests that are travelling from all over.
I know this might seem cheap but we are trying to do our best to still have a beautiful wedding but not start our lives together with all this wedding debt like so many people do.
I totally believe this is possible.
I am not sure if we could find a catering company that would provide food for that low? Or a restaurant?
We were thinking of finding a restaurant that would be able to provide all that food, mostly with a chicken entree but we will also offer a vegan option as well for just a few people (the vegan option we have covered)
Then we were thinking of renting the large buffet containers that keep the food warm and hire 5 people to set up the food, serve it as a buffet style and clean up afterwards.
We have a company we can rent tables and chair from for cheap.
We did the invitations ourselves since my fiance is a comic book artist and made the most original and amazing invites.
One of our friends has bakes wedding cakes in the past and is doing our cake so that will save us a lot.
We have about 5 people coming that are professional photographers and who will take photos for us.
We just need to cover the food really and find an officiant that isn't $500.
Since I am a fashion designer, I am making the bridesmaid dresses.
My parents are buying my dress.
The bar has to be rented from their vendor.
The cake is one large cake and then smaller versions of the cake below it so we do not need the cake to be cut for all our guests. We would like the staff we hire to do this as well, just walk around and hand out the little cakes to everyone.
We really want to have an amazing day with our friends and family without having to spend a huge amount. I know there are many people out there in the same boat and I would appreciate any help.
We also need plates, cutlery and glasses, we will more likely do the elegant plastic look so we can throw them out after and not have to wash them.
We are basically open to any suggestions and advice. We know it is possible. We have a lot of things covered but really need to figure out the best option for food. We do want a dinner, not just appetizers.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Answer
First, you need to get the cost of what it would be to rent the buffet containers and also to hire 5 people to set up, serve, and clean up. From a quick look online, I see that most warmer rentals can go for $25/piece and up. If you use only 3, you're price could be nearly $100. You can probably figure that most servers will run around $10/hour. At 5 servers for 3 hours, you're spending $150. Total cost- $250
At dontdodishes.com, plastic plates are $100 to fit your party of 150, but you will need two plates per person (one for food and one for the cake), so you're looking at $200. Flatware will cost you nearly $150 for fork, knife, spoon @2/person..just in case. And $30 for glasses @ 1/person. Plus misc. pieces for serving the food. Total cost - $400
You could use The Ranch Catering Company, as they are only 30 minutes away. They have "family meals" for less than $10/piece. Maybe you could talk them into catering your event for that price. Also, you could ask them if you could "rent" tableware from them for a flat fee. Say maybe $200? And if it's served buffet style, you will not need as many servers. Maybe 2-3. If you are paying a gratuity fee, this should go to pay the servers. They may have a delivery charge.
Total cost $200, and you have quality plates and flatware to eat with. This saves $450 as well as not having to clean and return buffet warmers, handle LARGE quantities of trash, or worry about food serving sizes. PLUS, 5% of The Ranch food fee goes to children through World Vision.
I know this sounds crazy, you should ask the company to "sponsor" your wedding..or at least partially, and in return you can give them advertisement at your wedding. Nothing tacky. You could simply say, "Ladies and Gentleman, we would like to bring your attention to the fact that The Ranch has catered or event today. We are telling you this, because we are proud to have aided them in fighting world hunger. 5% of every sale goes to the children of World Vision. Please help us in this quest by using The Ranch for all your catering needs. Big round of applause for all their charitable work!"
At least OFFER this to the business. You may be surprised!
When you're dealing with the open bar at your wedding location, make sure to note if there are any guests under 21. There's no reason to pay bar the same bar prices for those people. Barter for a reduced amount. Also, I see that they offer a "value package" that serves beer and wine. Go with this over liquor. It saves you tons of $$ and keeps guests from getting too carried away! See if the bar has stemware for use. They may charge a fee, but it's typically cheaper than renting it.
OH! And as for the officiant... do you have someone in your life that has made a big impact on you two, as a couple? Someone who introduced you? A favorite relative? Why not have THEM as your officiant? They can legally perform your ceremony if they become an ordained minister! They can do this for free at Themonastery.org. Some places charge, so beware. Not only does it save you $500, but it's very unique. You can even act like the officiant didn't show up on your wedding day, and ask the crowd if anyone can marry you two. Your officiant can then take over..to the applause of the wedding guests. It's memorable, at least!! :)
Total cost saved for your event? $1000 up
Good luck!
First, you need to get the cost of what it would be to rent the buffet containers and also to hire 5 people to set up, serve, and clean up. From a quick look online, I see that most warmer rentals can go for $25/piece and up. If you use only 3, you're price could be nearly $100. You can probably figure that most servers will run around $10/hour. At 5 servers for 3 hours, you're spending $150. Total cost- $250
At dontdodishes.com, plastic plates are $100 to fit your party of 150, but you will need two plates per person (one for food and one for the cake), so you're looking at $200. Flatware will cost you nearly $150 for fork, knife, spoon @2/person..just in case. And $30 for glasses @ 1/person. Plus misc. pieces for serving the food. Total cost - $400
You could use The Ranch Catering Company, as they are only 30 minutes away. They have "family meals" for less than $10/piece. Maybe you could talk them into catering your event for that price. Also, you could ask them if you could "rent" tableware from them for a flat fee. Say maybe $200? And if it's served buffet style, you will not need as many servers. Maybe 2-3. If you are paying a gratuity fee, this should go to pay the servers. They may have a delivery charge.
Total cost $200, and you have quality plates and flatware to eat with. This saves $450 as well as not having to clean and return buffet warmers, handle LARGE quantities of trash, or worry about food serving sizes. PLUS, 5% of The Ranch food fee goes to children through World Vision.
I know this sounds crazy, you should ask the company to "sponsor" your wedding..or at least partially, and in return you can give them advertisement at your wedding. Nothing tacky. You could simply say, "Ladies and Gentleman, we would like to bring your attention to the fact that The Ranch has catered or event today. We are telling you this, because we are proud to have aided them in fighting world hunger. 5% of every sale goes to the children of World Vision. Please help us in this quest by using The Ranch for all your catering needs. Big round of applause for all their charitable work!"
At least OFFER this to the business. You may be surprised!
When you're dealing with the open bar at your wedding location, make sure to note if there are any guests under 21. There's no reason to pay bar the same bar prices for those people. Barter for a reduced amount. Also, I see that they offer a "value package" that serves beer and wine. Go with this over liquor. It saves you tons of $$ and keeps guests from getting too carried away! See if the bar has stemware for use. They may charge a fee, but it's typically cheaper than renting it.
OH! And as for the officiant... do you have someone in your life that has made a big impact on you two, as a couple? Someone who introduced you? A favorite relative? Why not have THEM as your officiant? They can legally perform your ceremony if they become an ordained minister! They can do this for free at Themonastery.org. Some places charge, so beware. Not only does it save you $500, but it's very unique. You can even act like the officiant didn't show up on your wedding day, and ask the crowd if anyone can marry you two. Your officiant can then take over..to the applause of the wedding guests. It's memorable, at least!! :)
Total cost saved for your event? $1000 up
Good luck!
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