Wedding Welcome Dinner Etiquette

[elleisfullofwonder]

Ok! So let me first provide context…

 

I planned to get married in Destin, Florida and paid for a good chunk of my expenses before I decided to cancel it and have a true destination wedding in Grenada. I did not receive any deposits back, so my budget is extremely tight now.

 

Fast forward to now…

 

I wanted to plan a welcome dinner, but most of the restaurants close for Boxing Day. Luckily, there is a resort that caters to tourists which will have a Boxing Day BBQ. So, I decided to take my guests to the BBQ instead of having my own welcome dinner. It is more of a buffet style, however they charge you depending on your desired protein.One of the options is lobster and a choice steak which is way out of my budget. So, instead of telling people what they can and cannot eat (I cannot do a set menu), I was thinking about preparing envelopes for each guest with a

certain amount of cash which would cover a beverage, starters, protein (ones that are within my budget) and sides. So, if people want to order lobster, steak or multiple beverages, they could apply the cash I provided to their balance.

 

Do you think this is acceptable?

 

Help!

 

Thanks!

elle

[kmk2016]

Ok! So let me first provide context…

 

I planned to get married in Destin, Florida and paid for a good chunk of my expenses before I decided to cancel it and have a true destination wedding in Grenada. I did not receive any deposits back, so my budget is extremely tight now.

 

Fast forward to now…

 

I wanted to plan a welcome dinner, but most of the restaurants close for Boxing Day. Luckily, there is a resort that caters to tourists which will have a Boxing Day BBQ. So, I decided to take my guests to the BBQ instead of having my own welcome dinner. It is more of a buffet style, however they charge you depending on your desired protein.One of the options is lobster and a choice steak which is way out of my budget. So, instead of telling people what they can and cannot eat (I cannot do a set menu), I was thinking about preparing envelopes for each guest with a

certain amount of cash which would cover a beverage, starters, protein (ones that are within my budget) and sides. So, if people want to order lobster, steak or multiple beverages, they could apply the cash I provided to their balance.

 

Do you think this is acceptable?

 

Help!

 

Thanks!

elle

Hmmmm I wouldn't do it (IMO) I would maybe make a menu card for your guests that details the menu (that you can cover.) I would then add something like additional items may be available to upgrade directly with the restaurant should you be interested". I would certainly cover their drinks however... Even if you limit it to beer and wine and make note on your menu card.

 

I'm never keen on asking people to pay for a portion of their dinner if it's a hosted event... And by giving people cash I think it kinda feels like that.

 

If it's not within your budget to host a dinner where you can truly treat your guests based on how the restaurant is willing to work with you, then maybe forgo the welcome dinner and just do a cocktail reception at your hotel? I don't think your guests will be slighted that dinner wasn't planned!

 

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Edited August 27, 2014 by kmk2016

[nadiakat17]

Is there any way to pay in advance for what you would cover or ask the place to make you up a ticket that you paid for they could use? And then let guests know to pay for anything outside of what you want to cover?  Or make up your own tickets and give money to the place and explain what you'll be doing. Or even write in your welcome dinner info sheet that you plan to cover x$ per guest which would include x,y,z and anything else they would be responsible for? Or I would even tell them you can get a drink, chicken or fish, and a side and don't even give them other options ....while that is very generous of you, I think it just looks weird to hand out cash envelopes...but in the end, what does it matter? lol