How much did you spend on your AHR?

[GracieBebe]

Hi All,

 

We are also currently planning an AHR and I was just curious on how much people spent on theirs. FH gave me a strict budget of $1000 for approx. 150-200 people (depending on if we invite his extended family, i.e. cousins, etc.). We already spent $200 on the picnic/park location, and we're getting the wedding cake as a gift from one of our friends. So I'm wondering if I can do booze and food for $800 for that many people. I'm thinking just burgers, hotdogs, chicken, ribs, salads, slaw, rolls, and wedding cake for dessert. Tons of beer and some liquor for margaritas and mixed drinks.

 

What do you think girls?

 

TIA!

[Jacilynda]

Honestly, no. You could but it would be right down to that last $. We are doing the same thing. We are getting all of our food from costco. We're planning on over 200 people. We want to make sure we have at least 1 burger and 1 dog for each person. 1 dog and 1 burger per person for 200 put us at $300. That still leaves $500 for you, but salads, and chix etc are gonna add up. The most expensive part of it is the drinks. We're doing kegs from the grocery store cause its a WAY better deal, but then you still need liquor. You don't want to skimp cause if you do you'll end up w/ a few people who wanted something you didn't thing you'd need much of, and you don't have anymore. if he stretched it $1200-$1500 definitely doable!

 

What about music, are you going to have music at all?

[~Debra~]

We are also inviting no more than 200 people. I think you can get it done with 800 dollars if your just going to be doing the type of food that you mentioned above and if you provide limited alcohol. Our group are huge drinkers so we will probably spend about 300-400 on alcohol. I'm not really wanting to spend more than that. I'm also thinking of some BBQ type food such as chicken, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, etc so I'm HOPING that we don't spend more than 500 on food. But as far as everything else I'll give you a breakdown of our costs:

 

cake: 400

dj:500

fee for banquet hall: 900

invitations: 300 (hopefully lol)

 

no idea on decorations but they will be MINIMAL. I'm just not worried about that.

[lil_miss_frogg]

We are doing a backyard BBQ at FMIL and FFIL house. We are so excited because to do this, we are having more of a party rather then a reception. We will have a cake/cupcakes, lots of different BBQ meat, beans, salads, and many types of drinks. Our budget is $700. We are saving on the location though. Good Luck, it's all doable.

[ErinB]

I am a caterer and professional chef. It will be extremely difficult for you to stay within budget. There is no way you can hire a professional to do the work for you.

 

If you break down the numbers, $800 divided by 200 is $4 per person. Think about if you went to McDonald's and got everyone a hamburger, fries and a coke from the value meal, you'd be spending $3.00 plus tax and you would be eating out of paper wrappers. I'm not trying to be harsh, but I always tell my clients who are developing a budget to pretend they are going to pack all of their guests up in a van and take them somewhere for dinner. If you went to Chili's for a Rib combo dinner, a diet coke, tax and tip, you'd spend $15 per person.

 

You can do hot dogs and burgers, but chicken and ribs will probably be too expensive.

 

Sam's and Costso have the side salads, etc. You might be able to get the food only, for $800 but don't forget about the necessary supplies (plates, napkins, eating and serving utensils, cups, condiments, ice, grills/chafing dishes to keep food hot, table covers, trash bags, etc.)

 

Alcohol is another big chunk of your budget. Figure a case (24) sodas is $10 and each keg is $100, boxed wine at $15. You are looking at $200 right there and that is without hard liquor or mixers for margaritas, ice, or cups.

 

Even doing everything yourself, I would say you need to at least double your budget.

[Jacilynda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinB I am a caterer and professional chef. It will be extremely difficult for you to stay within budget. There is no way you can hire a professional to do the work for you. If you break down the numbers, $800 divided by 200 is $4 per person. Think about if you went to McDonald's and got everyone a hamburger, fries and a coke from the value meal, you'd be spending $3.00 plus tax and you would be eating out of paper wrappers. I'm not trying to be harsh, but I always tell my clients who are developing a budget to pretend they are going to pack all of their guests up in a van and take them somewhere for dinner. If you went to Chili's for a Rib combo dinner, a diet coke, tax and tip, you'd spend $15 per person. You can do hot dogs and burgers, but chicken and ribs will probably be too expensive. Sam's and Costso have the side salads, etc. You might be able to get the food only, for $800 but don't forget about the necessary supplies (plates, napkins, cups, condiments, ice, grills/chafing dishes to keep food hot, table covers, trash bags, etc.) Alcohol is another big chunk of your budget. Figure a case (24) sodas is $10 and each keg is $100, boxed wine at $15. You are looking at $200 right there and that is without hard liquor or mixers for margaritas, ice, or cups. Even doing everything yourself, I would say you need to at least double your budget.

I agree, I just edited mine w/ almost EXACTLY (i even mentioned mcdonalds, and $15/person) everything you said and I went to hit post and my 11 month old hit the computer and closed the screen.

I think to really visualize it, if you're doing all this yourself, go to whereever you shop and check out prices and quantity in a package. Go home sit down and calculate how much you need and add it up. Then check on price of liquor, beer/kegs and add that up. Include all the extra necessities and see what your total is. then you can decide if maybe you need to work on your budget or start cutting out, and where to cut w/out really taking away from your guests.

[lgarner83]

Ugh, I wish!!! I didn't even really want an AHR but FI reallllly did and so did his family. Fine! Great! It will be a great time. Cost? About $15 000. No joke. That being said it is like a formal wedding reception with open bar, buffet, DJ, slideshow, chocolate fountain, decor....the whole deal. LUCKILY, FI's parents are footing most of the bill.

[tylersgirl]

Gosh, I wish we could budget. Our AHR is ending up costing wayyy more than expected-probably around $20,000- $25,000 after everything is said and done with. We are spending $9,000 just on food-ughhh!!

[cougs]

who is going to be doing the cooking? if you're talking about it being catered then i think you need to at least double that budget or cut your guest list in half. we are looking at around the same number of people and don't want to spend more than 2 or 3 grand ... and so far, it's not looking good.

[ErinB]

My AHR had a retail value of $30K for 150 people. I was very fortuante that I know so many people in the business and lots of my friends and vendors gave me products and services as gifts or at discounted rates. Even with all of that I still spent almost $10,000.

 

I did have a full formal reception, with dancing, open bar, etc. I keep meaning to get pictures up. I'll work on that...LOL