Anonymous
Post 04/07/2024 11:12     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
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.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2024 11:08     Subject: Re:Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, I would have no desire whatsoever to sit through a seated dinner for a bridal shower. Change these plans.


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!
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2024 11:07     Subject: Re:Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote:OP, I would have no desire whatsoever to sit through a seated dinner for a bridal shower. Change these plans.


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.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2024 11:05     Subject: Re:Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote: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.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2024 11:04     Subject: Re:Alcohol at a shower
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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:13     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:06     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:03     Subject: Re:Alcohol at a shower
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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:02     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:02     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
Cash bar.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:01     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote: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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 20:00     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
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.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 19:53     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
House or back yard. Borrow chairs from neighbors.
Finger foods/appetizers.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 19:52     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You seem very inflexible, OP. Must have alcohol, must have room to sit everyone down at a table, etc. That's why you're running into cost problems. There are many ways to host showers, and the immense majority of them are casual affairs at people's homes, with people snacking and standing, or resting on a couch arm, or whatever. If you're moving in a rarified atmosphere where you MUST have elegance, place cards and sit-downs... you should also be able to put up the money.


Op here. I’m actually a flexible person. I’ve never been to a shower that didn’t serve a brunch or lunch. Buffet a lot of times. I’ve never seen just appetizers. And I’ve probably been to 15-20. I am not trying to make it super formal. Normally there’s like 4-5 round tables and guests sit there while they eat. Then they open presents in the living area room or sometimes watch from the tables.


Buffet of finger foods. No tables. Get extra chairs. Music. Alcohol. Decor.

Done.


Standing around watching 50 gifts being opened sounds awful. Hard pass.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2024 19:51     Subject: Alcohol at a shower
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No one has a house or large apartment to lend? Are there private rooms with bars that offer a deal on alcohol? I suppose no one wants a shower in a regional park where you could just rent a pavilion, decorate it and bring your own stuff? Are there museums or other spaces that you could rent and bring your own food and drink?


Op here. I have a large home. I can’t fit that many women or tables in my home.


Switch it to your house. You don’t need seats for eveyone. Seriously. People can mingle sit/stand. Rent some chairs. Don’t stress.


This. Borrow chairs from your neighbors.