Wedding locations

[J&N* 68]

My fiancé and I are trying to find a place for our wedding reception in Florida that doesn't require us to use one of their caters, they are over priced and we will only have 30 guests max (They price their menus real high if the number of guests is low) We can't afford to pay $2000 just for catering as we want other things in the wedding (Professional photographer, a DJ..) and we want to buy new furniture and afford a fun honeymoon. We decided we and our families can cook instead, I know a lot of couples who did that.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions, my fiancé is new to this and with me living so far away can't help much.

Thank you so much!

Edited June 3, 2010 by Junita

[alienlovechild 75]

My fiancé and I are trying to find a place for our wedding reception in Florida that doesn't require us to use one of their caters, they are over priced and we will only have 30 guests max (They price their menus real high if the number of guests is low) We can't afford to pay $2000 just for catering as we want other things in the wedding (Professional photographer, a DJ..) and we want to buy new furniture and afford a fun honeymoon. We decided we and our families can cook instead, I know a lot of couples who did that.

We had our reception at a Chinese restaurant and so did my brother. It cost a lot less than $2000 I assure you. If you decide on it undercount your guests as we got stuck with the extra food.

[DanVanessaSiempre 0]

My fiancé and I are trying to find a place for our wedding reception in Florida that doesn't require us to use one of their caters, they are over priced and we will only have 30 guests max (They price their menus real high if the number of guests is low) We can't afford to pay $2000 just for catering as we want other things in the wedding (Professional photographer, a DJ..) and we want to buy new furniture and afford a fun honeymoon. We decided we and our families can cook instead, I know a lot of couples who did that.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions, my fiancé is new to this and with me living so far away can't help much.

Thank you so much!

I am in Southeast Florida (Ft. Lauderdale general area) and am of a similar mind regarding the wedding reception. Niether one of us is hung up on any glitz or fancy traditions, we just want to have a nice time with all of our friends & family without being taken to the cleaners in the process. I like the other poster's suggestion of the Chinese restaurant, and I can take it a bit further - I know of several excellent Asian/Sushu/Seafood/Grill restaurants in the local tri-county area that serve a marvelous selection of great food in an all you can eat buffet style, and several of them have private or semi-private rooms as well. They generally do offer to host private parties, and the cost can be quite attractive. I'm seriously considering such an option for the reception to follow the actual ceremony, which could hopefully be held outdoors at a beachfront or park location before heading over to the reception. Perhaps we can compare notes here (and/or offline) on such options. By the way, do you mind if I ask where in Florida you are located?

[luckytxn 2,263]

Seeing as how I am about to get married again in a Catholic wedding I am having to go through this and have found other attractive places to have the reception. Right now we are having the reception at our house/business itself and even making or ordering all the food. We have drafted volunteers who will help us. If the guest toll gets much higher though we will have to go somewhere else and have asked at the church to use the hall there. (Actually pretty cheap and have use of the kitchen) to a restaurant. Even may use a attractive park nearby (Need a permit though that costs 50 bucks). Keep looking at alternatives.

Somehow our supposedly small wedding 40-50 guest list is climbing to heights that are making me nervous.