sailacruz
I'm planning an event, and browsing through several catering brochures as a result. Some of the pricing is straightforward - a buffet set-up is 20.95 per person, or Hors D'oeuvres are priced per 100 pieces - but when it lists plated dinners, it simply gives a price next to the plate and some minimum, such as 50 people or less. Is this a per person price? Some clarity would be helpful.
Answer
Hopefully you would be able to tell whether it is a per person price or a price for 50people. I know when I write menus there would be a big difference. Generally it is a price per person. With the minimum amount of people being about the economy of scale. I can't give you a special price on that meal for 6people, I can for 60people. It doesn't take 10times longer to cook for 60people, only takes about twice as long. So there is a savings on wages. You really need to call the catering companies and talk to them. Look out for hidden extra costs, will you be charged for rubbish removal if event is held at your home. Do they have bar prices for alcohol, but then in the fine print say there is an extra cost for a manned bar? When in doubt ask, and ask the companies. They want your business, they will explain things.
Hopefully you would be able to tell whether it is a per person price or a price for 50people. I know when I write menus there would be a big difference. Generally it is a price per person. With the minimum amount of people being about the economy of scale. I can't give you a special price on that meal for 6people, I can for 60people. It doesn't take 10times longer to cook for 60people, only takes about twice as long. So there is a savings on wages. You really need to call the catering companies and talk to them. Look out for hidden extra costs, will you be charged for rubbish removal if event is held at your home. Do they have bar prices for alcohol, but then in the fine print say there is an extra cost for a manned bar? When in doubt ask, and ask the companies. They want your business, they will explain things.
What are some pratical tips for setting up a wedding registry?
Giggly Gir
How many registered gift requests per guests? Price range? Help!!!! Thank you!
Answer
Well, this answer is going to be "practical" with respect to the idea of setting up a household that will last for decades and play a role in the larger relationships of community and extended family. If your focus is on maximizing your material gains from your guests, read the other answer(s).
First, understand that a registry is not about registering "gift requests". That's obscene. Nice people don't ask for gifts, or even expect them from their guests.
A registery is for helping YOU plan what you need for your household in the LONG run -- where "long" includes things like, what will you need for the coming sixty year's worth of Christmas Dinner's, children's and grandchildren's baptisms or bris and confirmations or bar mitzvahs, how will you entertain when you're lobbying on behalf of the PTA or supporting your spouse's run for governor, and so on.
And since this is about building community and family, you want to plan to set the highest standards of taste, hospitality and graciousness for the home where you are about to be the home-maker. So don't register at Target: register at a reputed department store that understands the concept of a permanent registry. That way they'll still have the name of the pattern on hand twelve years from now, when you've broken a wine goblet and need to replace it, or can finally afford that matching soup tureen.
Give your guests the benefit of the doubt: if you've registered for something that's available cheaper at Walmart they can choose for themselves to go to Walmart. If all they can afford is a spatula they'll give you a spatula: you don't need to register your preferred choice for generic things that wear out and don't come in a distinctive pattern! At the same time recognize that registering for fine china openstock gives them the choice of giving one teacup or a place setting or four place settings -- and unlike a dishrag or wooden spoon, they'll know that they're giving something you'll cherish and pass to future generations.
Register for dinnerware, flatware, and drinkware. Register for the nicest quality that you will actually USE -- no point in having 24kt-gold trimmed Spode porcelain if you'd never use anything you can't put through the dishwasher and microwave. But you can have beautiful Denby stoneware. Do not register for things that you would never buy for yourselves -- remember that you are grownups now, and it's YOUR responsibility to furnish your household with all necessities, not something to be shirked off onto honoured guests. "Real" things are in better taste than faux status -- for example either sterling silver or stainless steel are in better taste than thin silver-plate over underlying base metal. If you wouldn't spring for sterling for yourself, then choose stainless and register for that. If you have inherited heirloom china or already begun collecting high-quality pieces, then build on the patterns you already own. If your pattern is discontinued, search for a coordinating pattern that looks well beside the heirloom china.
Start with a small number of pieces that are enough to serve a typical simple meal for you and your spouse -- for example two dinner plates, two mugs, two soup plates and two dessert plates. Then add additional pieces to the place settings you've got and add additional place settings. If you are going to entertain formally always add place settings in multiples of four -- for example 2, 6 or 10 people at the table are easier to seat symmetrically than 4, 8 or 12 are. Twelve is too many for domestic formal dinners anyway, at least by post-industrial standards.
Well, this answer is going to be "practical" with respect to the idea of setting up a household that will last for decades and play a role in the larger relationships of community and extended family. If your focus is on maximizing your material gains from your guests, read the other answer(s).
First, understand that a registry is not about registering "gift requests". That's obscene. Nice people don't ask for gifts, or even expect them from their guests.
A registery is for helping YOU plan what you need for your household in the LONG run -- where "long" includes things like, what will you need for the coming sixty year's worth of Christmas Dinner's, children's and grandchildren's baptisms or bris and confirmations or bar mitzvahs, how will you entertain when you're lobbying on behalf of the PTA or supporting your spouse's run for governor, and so on.
And since this is about building community and family, you want to plan to set the highest standards of taste, hospitality and graciousness for the home where you are about to be the home-maker. So don't register at Target: register at a reputed department store that understands the concept of a permanent registry. That way they'll still have the name of the pattern on hand twelve years from now, when you've broken a wine goblet and need to replace it, or can finally afford that matching soup tureen.
Give your guests the benefit of the doubt: if you've registered for something that's available cheaper at Walmart they can choose for themselves to go to Walmart. If all they can afford is a spatula they'll give you a spatula: you don't need to register your preferred choice for generic things that wear out and don't come in a distinctive pattern! At the same time recognize that registering for fine china openstock gives them the choice of giving one teacup or a place setting or four place settings -- and unlike a dishrag or wooden spoon, they'll know that they're giving something you'll cherish and pass to future generations.
Register for dinnerware, flatware, and drinkware. Register for the nicest quality that you will actually USE -- no point in having 24kt-gold trimmed Spode porcelain if you'd never use anything you can't put through the dishwasher and microwave. But you can have beautiful Denby stoneware. Do not register for things that you would never buy for yourselves -- remember that you are grownups now, and it's YOUR responsibility to furnish your household with all necessities, not something to be shirked off onto honoured guests. "Real" things are in better taste than faux status -- for example either sterling silver or stainless steel are in better taste than thin silver-plate over underlying base metal. If you wouldn't spring for sterling for yourself, then choose stainless and register for that. If you have inherited heirloom china or already begun collecting high-quality pieces, then build on the patterns you already own. If your pattern is discontinued, search for a coordinating pattern that looks well beside the heirloom china.
Start with a small number of pieces that are enough to serve a typical simple meal for you and your spouse -- for example two dinner plates, two mugs, two soup plates and two dessert plates. Then add additional pieces to the place settings you've got and add additional place settings. If you are going to entertain formally always add place settings in multiples of four -- for example 2, 6 or 10 people at the table are easier to seat symmetrically than 4, 8 or 12 are. Twelve is too many for domestic formal dinners anyway, at least by post-industrial standards.
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