How to have an affordable wedding reception or party!
What you need to know about banquet halls
We receive about 10 phone calls a day and about 15 emails a day. 95% of the inquiries is about wanting to have
a reception or party at the lowest price. This is understandable but it's important to know what it takes to have a special
event.
1. Ordering: linens, food, etc.
2. Set up - cleaning floors, set up tables, chairs, putting on linens, table
settings, etc.
3. Payroll - It is necessary to have at least 2 chefs, wait staff, bartender, security, coordinator
4. Making sure your event goes smoothly is what we call "behind the scenes" and this consists of things you
may never know go on. For instance, is the cake arriving on time, is the food order correct or perhaps something is missing,
the DJ needs to have the list of songs and know the order of event, restrooms need to be supplied regularly, spills
need to be cleaned up right away etc.
5. Clean up - Kitchen to be completely cleaned, All dishes/silverware/pots/pans
to be cleaned, all linens removed & sent out to be cleaned, all tables and chairs moved to clean floors and polish, bar
area to be cleaned etc.
6. Utilities - The A/C units have to be set at about 65 degrees with all the people in the room.
Lights, ovens, ice machine, etc all adds us tremendously!
7. Overhead - Rent, advertisement costs, print costs etc.
It is a misconception that the price per person is just the food. In fact,
that can't be farther from the truth. Remember too that when you go to a restaurant to eat, you are there only 20-30 minutes and
sharing the restaurant with others with no DJ. A restaurant is priced with the conception that they turn over guests
in 20 minutes on average (if they didn't they would go out of business fast)! But with an event, you and your guests are
there for at least 4 hours on average. You get the hall all to yourselves and we even include the DJ for your event!
So let's talk about costs. The reason we bring this topic up is to help educate everyone about
what it costs to have an event for 50 guests.
1. Set up - about $200
It takes
12-14 man hours to set up for an event. Tables, chairs, linens have to be put on and sometimes bow ties on the chairs. Centerpieces
cleaned and set up. Chafing dishes set out, ice in cold bar, table settings ready, napkins set out on tables and the list
goes on.
2. Rental of linens - $250
3. Food Costs - $350
4. DJ for 5 hours - $600
5. Bar Set up - $500
Requires licensing from the City, Bartender, Security etc.
6. Over head - $200
Utilities, stocking up bathrooms, advertising costs etc.
7. Wait staff & chefs - $400
8. Clean up - $200
Floors need to be cleaned, linens and
decor removed, dishes & silverware & glasses cleaned, kitchen cleaned etc.
That is a total of
$2,500 and that is not including the monthly costs for a banquet hall such as rent, advertisement, etc.
Now take into consideration that a banquet hall is in business to make some money because if they don't then what is the
point? So if you are thinking that the cost per person is just the food, think again!
So basically for a 4
hour event for 50 guests costs $50 per person. That's just the hard costs. Our all inclusive package for 50 guests Sun-Thurs
is only $2,850 ($3,150 Fri & Sat & holidays) so now wouldn't you agree our prices are very affordable?
What will you be celebrating?
