Alright ladies - need your help

Future.Mrs.Shawty · January 2010

I'm thinking about throwing my parents a surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary party. Guest count 150-200. In Oklahoma (where I'm from).

Questions:

1. How would you go about this? Making it like a wedding reception or more low key?

2. What's too much to spend (total budget) for something like this?

3. Is a cash bar an option? (I was very against having a cash bar at my wedding, but not sure I want to pay for everyone's booze at my parents' anni party...is that bad??)

4. Heavy hors d'oeurves? Or buffet?

5. Tiered cake? Cupcakes? Sheet cake?

TIA!

cincyGirl1980 · January 2010

1) All depends on the the guests. My parents would want something low key, if the guest list was that big

2) too much is more than you can afford.

3) cash bar is not ok, but i never think it is ok.

4) If this was an evening thing i would probably do it late and have heavy apps.

5) cupcakes with a top for them to cut. I just think it is cute.

I don't know your parents so, i can't really way in. If it was for my parents. I would probably spend around 3K and do a nice dinner with only close family and friends. If the list go out of control it would change to more of a cocktail party with a small band.

dmellis02 · January 2010

Where in Oklahoma are you going to have this? My husband and I just moved from OKC a year and a half ago, but we got married in Tulsa. I may be able to give you some recommendations on vendors (if you don't already have them).

Future.Mrs.Shawty · January 2010

dmellis02:
Where in Oklahoma are you going to have this? My husband and I just moved from OKC a year and a half ago, but we got married in Tulsa. I may be able to give you some recommendations on vendors (if you don't already have them).

In the OKC metro area. That's where I'm from. Haven't lived there since mid-05, though.

notapetrock · January 2010

Future.Mrs.Shawty:

I'm thinking about throwing my parents a surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary party. Guest count 150-200. In Oklahoma (where I'm from).

Questions:

1. How would you go about this? Making it like a wedding reception or more low key? Depends on what they would want. I'd be flattered by a backyard BBQ or a potluck as much as I would a black-tie cocktail party.

2. What's too much to spend (total budget) for something like this? Any amount that puts you into debt or wipes out your savings. Only spend what you can afford. If you others that would be contributing - make sure EVERYONE is comfortable with the budget and NO ONE is going into debt to pay their contribution.

3. Is a cash bar an option? (I was very against having a cash bar at my wedding, but not sure I want to pay for everyone's booze at my parents' anni party...is that bad??) Guests shouldn't pay for alcohol. Just my opinion. A limited bar is better than a cash bar.

4. Heavy hors d'oeurves? Or buffet? Depends on the location, the time. I'm an hors d'oeurve gal. I don't like the idea of people being locked into seating arrangements for an hour or so of the time they should be socializing and enjoying themselves.

5. Tiered cake? Cupcakes? Sheet cake? What do they like best? Some combination of any of these is also fine.

TIA!

daves_sweetpea · January 2010

1. My parents got married back in the 70s when everyone had meat & cheese trays at the VFW or Knights of Columbus. If you had a fancy reception you had sloppy joes or hot roast beef! Mine would be happy with something similar! I'd go for low key, sort of like reuglar party, just big.

2. even if you go low key you might end up spending a few thousand. You could spend $10K if you did it like a reception. Just do what you feel is right. Personally if I had $2-3K to spend I'd invite only 40-50 people to a restaurant and relax (which btw is what I now wish we'd done for our wedding!)

3. How about just beer and wine? Can you find a byob place?

4. I think the prices can be similar but the buffet is usually more food. Otherwise I'd do it in the late afternoon so they don't expect a full meal.

5. Either. Sheet cakes are cheaper but some places do simpler tiered cakes that aren't as expensive as wedding cakes. Sam's/Walmart even sell stands in their bakery depts so you can arrange 3 cheaper round cakes into a tiered shape.

WA1215 · January 2010

1) It's not their 50th, I would do more low key

2) Price out how much you want to spend per guest.

3) I wouldnt do a cash bar for a party (rude IMO), and like you said you didnt want it at yours, why would you do that to your parents???

4) Try to stick to heavy apps if you can

5) Do one cake for them to cut into, and cupcakes for everyone else (that way your parents get to take home the smaller cake) The cupcakes would be easiest for serving, especially if you do apps. You could get a small cake for the top for them, then cupcakes for everyone else. Do you have a sam's club or costco down there? They could do the cupcakes for cheap. Like this:

Cupcake tower from here:

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cupcakes3.html

jinniknue · January 2010

1. I have seen your wedding and I would go low-er key then that... possibly in a hall or rec center that you can create your own thing.

2. What you can afford

3. I wouldn't do cash bar, I would try to rent a place that you can bring drinks and maybe pay someone to pour from the tap, or have cool buckets with wine and large beer tubs underneath.

4. Whatever won't break the bank.

5. I think tiered or cupcakes or do a little tiered with sheet cakes behind the bar to save money...

You know where to find me if you want to talk more. My grandparents 60th was at a rec center and we did little centerpieces and had a buffet of cold cuts and sides that family made and a keg of beer and wine in buckets. It turned out well and the familys split the cost so it wasnt very expense at all. It was fun we had 175 of their friends and family plus a DJ and they danced like it was their wedding over again... very cute.

stillwaiting12 · January 2010

I had a 25th for my parents and it was a surprise party. Basically I did everything myself with some help the day of setting up so I did what I could afford at the time. I rented a house at a park in Miami Twp for around $150-$200. I did some simple centerpieces and candles, I made cookie favors and I had Busken re-create their wedding cake. It wasn't too expensive since I went with a smaller version, I want to say $50 or so. I even stole their topper from the house and then I had a picture of them on their wedding day cutting the cake next to the cake at their party.

For food I bought the disposable chafing dishes then went to Kroger and bought fried chicken, my sister brought corn and green beans then I got mashed potatoes/gravy and biscuits from KFC. I also did a bunch of apps: cheeseballs, pepperoni and cheese tray, veggie tray, meatballs etc... I didn't do a DJ because I couldn't afford it but I had music playing in the background . I also didn't do alcohol because our extended family doesn't know when enough is enough and I even got compliments later on how nice it was that there wasn't alcohol because there was no drama! I did soda, tea, water, coffee and juice boxes for the kids. I think we had right at 100 people show up and my parents were so thankful and greatful that I threw this party for them. I don't think they would have cared if it was in the middle of a field somewhere with porta-potty's!

Christine.Louie · January 2010

Future.Mrs.Shawty:

Questions:

1. How would you go about this? Making it like a wedding reception or more low key? I'd go low-key on this one. Keep it simple.

2. What's too much to spend (total budget) for something like this? Don't stretch yourself. I'm sure your parents will appreciate the thought and everyone's company more than anything!

3. Is a cash bar an option? I am one to say it's never an option. At the very least offer beer and wine but preferably full open bar. As pp's have mentioned, if you can get somewhere that allows you to bring your own, you can still keep costs down.

4. Heavy hors d'oeurves? Or buffet? Depends on the time of day and the cost. Doing a full meal of Hors d'oeurves can add up quickly, depending on the complexity and ingredients used. There are guidelines on how many to expect each person to eat but I can't remember them off hand...google it.

5. Tiered cake? Cupcakes? Sheet cake? A (mini if needed) replica of their wedding cake would be cute. Cupcake are all the rage right now and easier to serve as pp's have pointed out...they can also add to the decor. Sheet cake is your least expensive option and would work just as well if all you want to do is have a cake to cut.

Have fun and good luck!

Alright ladies - need your help

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