Dinner Party Budgets

How much does it cost to have a dinner party?  Well like most things, there is a huge range of what your budget can look like. We've planned a party with only heavy appetizers that ran over $100/person, four course dinners at a Wolfgang Puck Restaurant under $60/head and delicious birthday dinners for $25/head.  

While there is a huge range in what you can spend/person, getting all your costs onto one sheet helps determine where and how to allocate your budget. A simple spreadsheet appears in the events templates section to get you started.   

And if you are trying to stretch your dinner party budget, here are a few things that can help: 

•     Ask the restaurant if they have candles that can serve as centerpieces
  
•     Use House linens - they are often perfectly fine for most occasions. 
•     Print the menu cards your self (saves $6/person)
  
•     Order wines by the bottle, rather than allowing a fully open bar.
•     Request the servers pour 7 to 8 glasses out of every bottle. 
  
•     Turn a four course meal into a three course meal.
•     Be honest with your contact - perhaps they can suggest areas to shave.
•     If you have a heavy drinking crowd, consider a price/head for the reception portion of your party - such as $16/person for the one hour cocktail reception, fully hosted bar.