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I feel like I can't plan a party without you!
Seriously! I know I'm always coming here with this crap, but please humor me again!
I'm thinking about my H's surprise grad party - I just contacted the restaurant H's cousin owns to get some pricing ideas. I'm thinking doing a beer and wine package for 3 hours plus some light appetizers. The party will be on a Friday night from 8pm to 11pm (so no one will expect dinner).
Here are some of my problems/questions:
The room only holds 60...immediate family/friends is around 120. WTF am I going to do??
Food is only going to be $5/pp - no big deal. Domestic bottles and wine is $30/pp; pitchers of Miller Lite and wine is $25/pp...that's a LOT of dough. Pitchers of M Lite + wine is a little TOO laid-back, right? And asking people to pay for their own drinks feels really cheap to me. WDYT? Is three hours of open bar + light snacks good? Two hours is too cheap, right? Especially since he'll probably be arriving 1/2 hour after everyone since it's a surprise...
Basically, feel free to tell my cheap asss to spend the money because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity 
Any thoughts/opinions/help is welcomed!
January 2, 2010
EDD October 10, 2013
Re: I feel like I can't plan a party without you!
My immediate thoughts - unless it would cause family drama, check out some other venues that can hold 120 people and have better prices. Drinks at 25 to 30 pp seems really high.
Light apps might be not enough if your crowd is a drinking crowd and if the party is at meal time. What time will it be?
I would go with three hours instead of two. Or maybe drink tickets for two drinks pp and then they pay after that?
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I agree a lot with the above.
I would try to find a bigger venue... it sounds impossible to squeeze double the amount of people in a room comfortably. Or cut down the guest list, which could also be impossible lol.
Drinks for $25-30pp seems REALLY high. Do you think since they are charging so little for food they are trying to make up revenue by overcharging for drinks?
I also agree that light apps may not be the greatest if there's a huge drinking crowd.
My philosophy is if you're going to host a party, host it right or not at all. I wouldn't consider a cash bar, even for a short amount of time. I would either a) offer wine, beer, and a signature alcoholic drink only, or b) ask how much drinks run per drink and have them bill you on consumption. If you trust the venue, it's the best inexpensive way to host a bar. Some people may not have ANY drinks, while those who do may have one or two {even if they charge $5 per beer that's only $10, so you're saving}. Also, be sure to ask about sodas and such, not just alcoholic drinks!
Sorry - I just got back from Mexico! Thanks for your replies!
It'll be late - I was originally thinking 8 or 9, but now I'm leaning toward 10.
I have the same philosophy - unfortunately, it's super hard to do with my limited funds.
Thanks for the feedback, girls! What about this idea:
I can rent out a bowling alley (all bowing and shoe rental included!) and bring in my own food! We'd have to start the party at 10pm (they have a league on Friday nights), but we can basically have the whole alley until 2am. The cost to rent it out is $450 (again, including all bowling and shoes). Bar prices per person are around the same as the other place (it's just the norm in Chicago) - two types of draft beer (Miller Lite and Leinenkugel's) wine, soda and juice for $15 pp; domestic drafts + wine, soda & juice for $20 pp; all beer, wine, mixed drinks, soda and juice for $25 pp. OR I could do a consumption-based bar w/a cap so I don't go broke (I can always extend the amount if we need to). They can also do drink tokens, but I don't want to go that route.
Thoughts?
Side note: I think H is really bummed about not getting a surprise 30th b-day party. It's taking all I have to not be like "STOP MOPING - I'M PLANNING SOMETHING BETTER!!"
January 2, 2010
EDD October 10, 2013
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I agree, sounds like a fun party!
So I finally booked it and put the deposit down today - for 2pm to 5:30pm on Saturday 12/10! This way EVERYONE can be invited/maybe make it, and there's a limit to how long we can be there so I won't go broke on the bar!
YAYYYYY!!
Plus it's down the street from the restaurant H's cousin owns, so we can always walk down there and celebrate after. *phew* I'm so glad I can get started on the invites and whatnot now.
January 2, 2010
EDD October 10, 2013