need advice for off-site ceremony then back at the resort reception

[spammie76]

Hello Everyone!

I need some creative advice regarding an off-site ceremony then back-at-the-resort reception specifically Dreams Cancun.

How can I make my reception as cost effective as possible since I am also spending an arm and a leg for a ceremony somewhere else?

I just want a simple but private dinner party for us newlyweds and my attendees? Maybe in one of the restaurants but they don't take revervations. Dreams quoted me $42/pp+10%tax+15%grat. This is a little too much to pay for 32 ppl considering we are all going AI.

I'm stressed!
-P-

[can't wait!]

Since you will travel outside the resort for your ceremony have you looked at having your reception outside the resort as well?!?!?
I don't see any other way around you paying the $42pp at Dreams but maybe you can get a better deal at an outside restaurant.

We are dealing with this issue b/c most brides chose AI yet we still have to pay for our guests dinner.
In my case, I have to pay $50 per guest!

[becks]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm at $70 pp. That being said, I've got all sorts of crazy special requests going on at that price.

Can you make changes to the menu to keep the costs down?

[Yvette]

We are doing the same thing. We have our AI resort but we are using an outside WC then we have plans to have dinner at a local restaurant. Because we are on a very tight budget we are only paying for drinks and appetizers, our guests are free to order & pay for dinner themselves. So far I have not gotten any complaints and everyone has been very understanding about the money issue.

[spammie76]

Thanks Ladies for all your input....i guess weddings whether homebased or destination is still a money making industry...i wonder if they will say the same thing for a 50th birthday bash? hehehe

for sure i will call around for some local restaurants

[can't wait!]

You may want to do a search for rehearsal dinners. Many brides on here have their rehearsal dinners off site. With their help, maybe you could get ideas of which restaurants to look into.