This. Borrow chairs from your neighbors. |
Standing around watching 50 gifts being opened sounds awful. Hard pass. |
House or back yard. Borrow chairs from neighbors.
Finger foods/appetizers. |
I’ve been to a lot of showers in DC/surroundings and not a single one has been a sit down meal. The majority have been in someone’s home with heavy-ish appetizers & booze, lots of mingling plus games. I went to one where they rented out a restaurant for a couple of hours but even then it wasn’t a full meal— was also booze + heavy apps. |
Oh also— the trend recently has been to NOT open gifts at the shower. Which is amazing and everyone should do. |
Cash bar. |
The host pays. This is a pretty massive shower. I just hosted two baby showers recently and yeah, restaurants are expensive. Go for buffets over plated and see if you can bring in wine. One of the showers I hosted was in NJ and we were able to bring in cases of Prosecco and juice. That was enough for everyone. The other one, we had an open bar, surprisingly, mixed drinks were cheaper than wine. |
I did a shower in NYC for 20 at a restaurant. It was brunch and we only had mimosas, white wine, soda, coffee and tea. Price was quite reasonable. |
This should be the standard for every event, no matter what it is, if gifts are involved. No one wants to watch someone open a bunch of presents. No. One. |
Bring in platters of sandwiches or other casual food at home and hire a bartender to help set up, pour wine and clean up. Less than $4000. |
Host pays. Probably too late but if you have invited too many and cannot afford restaurant (where yes, you pay), break the shower into smaller groups and host multiple times in your home. |
Or your shower invite should have said clearly guests expected to pay. |
All I can imagine is how painful the rest of wedding will be if this is the shower… as reads over the top desires without budget to support. |
It if this is baby shower, equally yikes! |
The most recent showers I have been to have skipped opening presents- especially at bridal showers (I think people still like to watch baby presents being opened). Keep it simple, just a few games- trivia about the couple, that sort of thing, and you really won't need seating for everyone. |