Opt for platters –
Food will take up a majority of your budget.
It’s not unheard of to spend upwards of $10,000 on food for a nice
event. Check with your venue to see if
you can provide your own catering. Many
grocery stores and restaurants have platter options which can save you
hundreds. Although you’ll loose some of
the elegance of individually served food, the self-serve option allows for
better quality products on a tight budget.
Choose venues wisely
– If you can’t provide your own catering, ask about terms. Some venues will waive or reduce the room
rental fee when you buy their catering.
Also check into city owned recreational areas, educational facilities or
non-profit meeting spaces for discounted rental rates. Not only will you score a great price on a
space for your event but you can help support your community.
Drink tickets –
Alcohol can definitely put a big dent in your budget. To help control costs,
select a couple of house wines and beers and have the rest as a “cash bar.” I’m
a big believer in drink tickets as well.
Normally 2 drinks are a nice gesture and does not allow guests to get
too crazy. Nothing is more embarrassing
for you or them, then being drunk in public.
Also by limiting the number of free drinks, guests will be less likely
to be wasteful. I’ve seen many times
that an open bar will result in some taking a couple sips of a drink and then
wasting the rest. At $5-$10 a pop, that
adds up fast!
Craft when possible
– Making your own centerpieces, signage, and other décor can give your event a
custom look without the custom price. If
you’re not particularly crafty, there’s bound to be someone on your staff who
is. Recruit employees for a day of
crafting with free lunch. It’s great for
team building and they’ll take pride in knowing they were a part of the event.
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