Hypothetical party-themed poll question...

LSPoorEeyorick · 06-12-2006, 04:16 PM

I just wanted to appeal to the LoT brain-trust. Because my brain is fried and our budget is only so big, and weeknight rentals are suprisingly less expensive.

Ghoulish Delight · 06-12-2006, 04:21 PM

I voted for option one...because you should have the party you wanna have.

mistyisjafo · 06-12-2006, 04:41 PM

I think you shouldn't go too overboard. Some nice touches to a themed party is enough. It gets expensive after a while! I did a mystery party at my house and the food and beverages put me way over budget. Can't imagine decor too!

LSPoorEeyorick · 06-12-2006, 04:42 PM

It's, erm, a wedding reception.

Ponine · 06-12-2006, 04:45 PM

Hey you... I'll endorse you having what you want to have. I will be there with bells on no matter what.
(The underlying message here, I'm abstaining)

Some of us, have resources you dont know about, so let us help if we can, and/or are willing.

Not Afraid · 06-12-2006, 04:50 PM

Well, I've experienced some pretty large wedding receptions on a budget and some pretty small ones that cost a mint. I think you need to choose a time and place that suits you and make it suit your needs.

I don't know the details, but I might be able to give you some tips. Feel free to call me.

Catering is usually the big expense and there are ways to get the prices down. A good caterer will work with you and your budget.

Prudence · 06-12-2006, 05:02 PM

Food is a big chunk of reception costs. Do you know what time your ceremony will be? Or have you made it that far? I realize that people expect a plated, sit-down to-do, but a) I wasn't (and still am not) made of money, b) it makes for more complicated arrangements of assigned seating and entree selections and people who RSVP one way or the other and then do the opposite, and c) often the food's pretty boring.

We had a 2pm wedding followed by what my mother calls "heavy hors d'oeuvres." For our purposes, it worked well. For less money than expected we were able to have a wide selection of tastes, we couldn't have cared less if people RSVPd since there was plenty to go around (and thus we saved the response card expense), people could sit wherever they damn well pleased, and honestly there was so much food it really could have been a full meal. We did a vaguely Greek-themed menu, so it wasn't just the standard cold-cuts or mac'n'cheese buffet.

Again - this is what worked for us. If your mind's eye paints the perfect wedding reception as a velvet-covered den of iniquity or a circled and swirled Shag print, this won't work for you.

(We were also at a church that forbid alcohol, and my parents are strict teetotalers who wouldn't come if there was alcohol, so that cut down on the expense significantly. This also means that I have tasty punch recipes out the wazoo.)

Did I mention I have inexpensive favor and decoration ideas? Must....stop...pontificating....

LSPoorEeyorick · 06-12-2006, 05:20 PM

Gah! Wedding planning on LoT. I meant to never, ever do this. Squint real hard, people who accidentally stumbled on my badly-camouflaged-wedding-planning-thread, maybe this will look like some sort of clever internet story.

We're mostly set for the actual wedding, which will be in Michigan. But we're planning a reception party in CA because basically nobody here will be able to fly out to Michigan to join us. And we want to celebrate!

So this question applies strictly to our free-of-ceremony reception-o-rama. We have the option of getting a really swell location that reflects who we are and basically makes our theme FOR us (but that soaks up our budget) or getting a just-fine location with the food we'd really like. It's a hard decision. I was just trying to figure out if it was possible to do the best of both worlds by scheduling it on a day that both the location and the catering would be more reasonably-priced.

Bah! Look away, people. Nothing to see here.

tracilicious · 06-12-2006, 05:42 PM

That's a tough call. Because people love you, they will most likely find a way to go regardless of the day. But I wish I had spent less money (or eloped!) on the wedding/reception and more on the honeymoon. I think it depends on your priorities. If it's really really important that you have memories of a fabulous party then by all means do what you must. If the party isn't so important and you just want to spend time with friends, then spend less.

Prudence · 06-12-2006, 05:46 PM

Do not deprive us of the opportunity to discuss tulle circles and pointless, engraved knick-knacks!

Does your swell location require an evening time-frame? Because sometimes you can get discount rental rates if you go earlier in the day and the venue can basically squeeze in two rentals in one day. And then you could take off for a group romp around the town.

Also, whenever you choose, keep traffic issues in mind. If you do evening, and choose weekday, keep rush hour in mind. Always consider sporting events, concerts, graduations, or anything else that is likely to surprise guests and/or vendors.

Oooh - the other thing about buffet type service is that you don't have to hire (or tip) waitstaff. Are you culinarily inclined to make food yourselves? Or commission others to do so on your behalf (without actually becoming potluck)? If it's evening, you could always forgo the actual meal bits in favor of a ginormous dessert reception. Chocolate fountain! Lots of cookies can be made in advance and frozen. Desserts would definitely increase the flow of hedons.

View Poll Results: If you, hypothetically, were to select from the following, what would it be?
More-swanky weeknight reception, because the swankier, the better, yo.	5	25.00%
Less-swanky weekend reception, because I'd more likely be able to go.	15	75.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

06-12-2006, 04:16 PM	#1
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	Hypothetical party-themed poll question... I just wanted to appeal to the LoT brain-trust. Because my brain is fried and our budget is only so big, and weeknight rentals are suprisingly less expensive.
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 04:21 PM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I voted for option one...because you should have the party you wanna have. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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06-12-2006, 04:41 PM	#3
mistyisjafo A JAFO Production Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 567	I think you shouldn't go too overboard. Some nice touches to a themed party is enough. It gets expensive after a while! I did a mystery party at my house and the food and beverages put me way over budget. Can't imagine decor too! __________________
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 04:42 PM	#4
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	It's, erm, a wedding reception.
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 04:45 PM	#5
Ponine Virgin Ears Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,075	Hey you... I'll endorse you having what you want to have. I will be there with bells on no matter what. (The underlying message here, I'm abstaining) Some of us, have resources you dont know about, so let us help if we can, and/or are willing. __________________ There's something strange, There's something wrong. I see a change - It's like when love dies.
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 04:50 PM	#6
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Well, I've experienced some pretty large wedding receptions on a budget and some pretty small ones that cost a mint. I think you need to choose a time and place that suits you and make it suit your needs. I don't know the details, but I might be able to give you some tips. Feel free to call me. Catering is usually the big expense and there are ways to get the prices down. A good caterer will work with you and your budget.
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 05:02 PM	#7
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	Food is a big chunk of reception costs. Do you know what time your ceremony will be? Or have you made it that far? I realize that people expect a plated, sit-down to-do, but a) I wasn't (and still am not) made of money, b) it makes for more complicated arrangements of assigned seating and entree selections and people who RSVP one way or the other and then do the opposite, and c) often the food's pretty boring. We had a 2pm wedding followed by what my mother calls "heavy hors d'oeuvres." For our purposes, it worked well. For less money than expected we were able to have a wide selection of tastes, we couldn't have cared less if people RSVPd since there was plenty to go around (and thus we saved the response card expense), people could sit wherever they damn well pleased, and honestly there was so much food it really could have been a full meal. We did a vaguely Greek-themed menu, so it wasn't just the standard cold-cuts or mac'n'cheese buffet. Again - this is what worked for us. If your mind's eye paints the perfect wedding reception as a velvet-covered den of iniquity or a circled and swirled Shag print, this won't work for you. (We were also at a church that forbid alcohol, and my parents are strict teetotalers who wouldn't come if there was alcohol, so that cut down on the expense significantly. This also means that I have tasty punch recipes out the wazoo.) Did I mention I have inexpensive favor and decoration ideas? Must....stop...pontificating.... __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 05:20 PM	#8
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	Gah! Wedding planning on LoT. I meant to never, ever do this. Squint real hard, people who accidentally stumbled on my badly-camouflaged-wedding-planning-thread, maybe this will look like some sort of clever internet story. We're mostly set for the actual wedding, which will be in Michigan. But we're planning a reception party in CA because basically nobody here will be able to fly out to Michigan to join us. And we want to celebrate! So this question applies strictly to our free-of-ceremony reception-o-rama. We have the option of getting a really swell location that reflects who we are and basically makes our theme FOR us (but that soaks up our budget) or getting a just-fine location with the food we'd really like. It's a hard decision. I was just trying to figure out if it was possible to do the best of both worlds by scheduling it on a day that both the location and the catering would be more reasonably-priced. Bah! Look away, people. Nothing to see here.
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 05:42 PM	#9
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	That's a tough call. Because people love you, they will most likely find a way to go regardless of the day. But I wish I had spent less money (or eloped!) on the wedding/reception and more on the honeymoon. I think it depends on your priorities. If it's really really important that you have memories of a fabulous party then by all means do what you must. If the party isn't so important and you just want to spend time with friends, then spend less. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
	Submit to Quotes

06-12-2006, 05:46 PM	#10
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	Do not deprive us of the opportunity to discuss tulle circles and pointless, engraved knick-knacks! Does your swell location require an evening time-frame? Because sometimes you can get discount rental rates if you go earlier in the day and the venue can basically squeeze in two rentals in one day. And then you could take off for a group romp around the town. Also, whenever you choose, keep traffic issues in mind. If you do evening, and choose weekday, keep rush hour in mind. Always consider sporting events, concerts, graduations, or anything else that is likely to surprise guests and/or vendors. Oooh - the other thing about buffet type service is that you don't have to hire (or tip) waitstaff. Are you culinarily inclined to make food yourselves? Or commission others to do so on your behalf (without actually becoming potluck)? If it's evening, you could always forgo the actual meal bits in favor of a ginormous dessert reception. Chocolate fountain! Lots of cookies can be made in advance and frozen. Desserts would definitely increase the flow of hedons. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
	Submit to Quotes