Below are some very general guidelines on the basics: food, beverage, equipment rentals and staff. These items generally appear on our proposals and contracts as separate line items.
We have expressed these costs on a per person (i.e. per guest) basis since that is useful when estimating your total costs.
|
FOOD |
|
| Light
Hors d’oeuvre only (butler service) |
$15.00 to 20.00 per person |
|
Cocktail Reception Foods Stations & Hors d’oeuvre |
$28.00 to 65.00 per person |
|
Seated Dinner Menus (buffet or served) |
$35.00 to 65.00 per person |
|
Wedding Cake |
$ 6.00 to 12.00 per person |
|
|
|
BEVERAGES |
|
|
Open Bar for a standard three to four hour party depending upon bar brands
as indicated.
Specialty drinks or Champagne can add to this cost if
required. |
$17.50 to 22.50 per person |
Dinner Wines are generally billed
based upon number of bottles actually opened. These
can vary widely in price depending upon your choice of wines.
It could be considerably more than the indicated range if
you choose very distinguished wines. You do not have to include
the cost for dinner wines at a cocktail reception since wine
is provided as part of a full bar.
 |
$18.00 to $25.00 per person |
|
EQUIPMENT / RENTALS |
|
|
There is usually a lot of equipment needed to produce a
party. Things like tables, chairs, linens, silver service,
glasses, table settings, kitchen support equipment
and so forth are frequently needed. Costs depend upon
the exact selection and style of rentals. We have given you
an estimated range. |
$20.00
to $40.00 per person |
|
|
| SERVICE STAFF
|
|
|
Bartenders, waiters, culinary staff are billed based upon how
many are needed and how long they work.
Typically, if you take the total staff charges and divide by the
number of guests, it is in a range of $25-$35 dollars per guest
for service staff. These costs are determined in part by the style
of the party, how much staff is required and length of the party.
|
$25.00 to 35.00 per person
|
These prices are provided to give you a place to start. They are merely estimates and actual costs will be determined by your final event plan and contract.
Other potential costs, which you may want to consider include:
Invitations
Venue Rental
Tenting
Valet
Security
Flowers
Decoration
Audio/Visual
Entertainers
We will give you professional, thoughtful advice about how to achieve your entertaining objectives and make the most efficient use of your financial resources. Part of the process involves you deciding which elements of your party are the most important to YOU. We can then focus the budget in that direction.
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