Cocktail Wedding Budget

by Coryanne
(LA, CA)

I am planning a cocktail wedding because I think it will be fun, a little different and more appropriate as we have both been married before. I think our friends will enjoy a cocktail reception as much as we will.

I also thought it would be less expensive than a sit down wedding. I have read that in several locations, but I am not finding that to be true. In fact I have found that after I pay the venue, the table and chair rentals and the linen rentals it is very close in price as the venues "wedding package" price.

Has anybody had a cocktail wedding that wouldn’t mind giving me a quick snapshot of where the budget was spent and if you were able to pull it off for less that a traditional sit down reception?

Our Thoughts

A cocktail wedding reception can be the perfect option for a second wedding. There are a few things that you can do to try to reduce food costs.

The main thing that will typically increase costs is the amount of staff needed for your reception. So, limiting or eliminating the number of staff is one approach to trying to lower costs.

Any type of station that requires having catering staff there to serve you and your guests will increase your budget. This includes carving, pasta and any other stations that require staff to serve the food.

You can still have a pasta station, for example, but just eliminate the option of having someone there making individual servings for your guests.

You can also try lightening up on passed hors d'oeuvres to eliminate additional staff.

Lastly, you can shorten your reception time. Instead of the typical five hour reception, try shortening it to 3 ½ hours.

Sit down dinners take up a lot of time. That wasted time is mostly avoided with a cocktail reception, so guests have more time for mingling and dancing.

To Your Wedding!
Danielle & Stephen

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Cocktail Wedding Budget

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Comment to Mother of the Bride
by: Anonymous

To Mother of the Bride,
Hummm, I would question your venue in that you are paying more for a cocktail reception vs a sit down dinner. Unless they are setting it up like a Cocktail Reception Buffet?? I have heard buffets can cost more than sit down dinners. They key with these vendors also is to REALLY negotiate...They know you can take your business elsewhere!! If they don't try to work with you then it is not worth it...(However, you may have already finalized at this point..., and I am sure it will be fine..)
Thanks for your input!

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Costly Hor D'ouerves
by: Bride's mother

I am going to be paying more for my daughter's cocktail reception than a formal dinner. My daughter & her fiance feel that the fun casual atmosphere is more true to who they are. Unfortunately, it does look as if we were trying to save $. Hor d'ouerves are labor intensive and therefore pricie. Plus you need to have plenty.

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Reception Wedding
by: Catering Manager

From the post above, depending on where your wedding location (NY is much higher than FL or TX), so that will play a huge factor. Aslo the venue you choose will come into consideration as well. What is the F&B minimum? What are the room rental charges, setup fees, cleaning fees, tear down fees, cake cutting fees, barteding fee, cake cutting fees, service charge/gratuity, etc.

I am in the industry and with everything that you want, you are actually quite in line with a $100 a person budget. In Houston, where I am located, I could actually do something for you for less than $100 a person, and pretty much include everything...which i call that the "DRIVE OUT PRICE".

Good luck with your endeavour....hope you find the right place in your budget

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Response to LA, Ca cocktail Party
by: Anonymous

In regards to cost the key thing I found is finding a place that already has linens, tables chairs and their own caterning. It starts getting very expensive when you have to bring everything in! Remember people want your business, so they are willing to negotiate. Shop around so you can go back to the place and tell them where you can get elsewhere! Good luck!

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I renegotiated my cocktail hour
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your feedback. I actually renegotiated my cocktail hour and got more from them. I got two carving stations and two stationary appetizers (instead of one of each). So I now feel much better about the setup. Yes, you are correct. This did not included tip and tax, but is still affordable in my budget!

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RE: How much to serve at a cocktail reception?
by: Danielle & Stephen

Prices charged for a cocktail wedding reception can vary based on a few things including location (in a large city, etc.), the reception space and the menu items chosen to name a few.

The package you have listed sounds fair for the amount of food and the fact that it is a 4 hour open bar.

It is always a good idea to have a tasting (if you haven't already) to make sure you like all of the selections.

Another thing to consider and ask about is whether gratuity and tax is included in the $100/person quoted price. If not, your final price per person will be a little bit higher.

If you like the reception space and the food, go for it!

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How much to serve at a cocktail reception?
by: Bergkirk

Hello!
I was just wondering what to traditionally serve at a cocktail reception?
I was quoted the following for 75 people:

PASSED HORS D?OEUVRES
(CHOICE OF 8)

STATIONS
(1 PASTA, 1 CARVING, 1 STATIONARY APPETIZER)

DESSERT
Wedding cake
COFFEE SERVICE to include regular, decaffeinated & tea
4 HOUR OPEN BAR
All Top Shelf Liquor

LINENS

for $100 per person..Does this seem good?
Thanks!