Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

My dd will be having her communion this year and it is amazing how many people are saying they are having a big party at a catering hall for 50-100 people!
It bothers me that I have to scrape together money to have something at home.
I was wondering if anyone has had a christening, communion, confirmation, Sweet 16 at a hall and how they afford it. Does everyone save up, do family help, do they charge it? I know these things run in the thousands and I don't get it.
I sometimes feel like we are doing something wrong-lol!!

Re: Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

I'm with you, we are planning on my daughter's baptism and i will probably have something at my apartment.

there is no way in hell we can afford even a restaurant.

Re: Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

I know way too many people that live above and beyond their means. Spending way above their heads, what they truly cant "afford". or spending on luxuries when they can barely afford the minimums.

Its really all about what is priority in their lives (whether it makes sense or not), and what they choose to spend their money on (or use their credit cards for , and most of the times, this is the case).

We've done both, I personally have more fun when we have parties at home, than when we have them at restaurants.

Its not where you have the party, it's all about the company and the good times

Re: Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

My son is making his communion in May and we will be having the party at my sisters house (it's 5 houses away from the church and she has much more room than we do)

Money was an issue, however between food, decorations, tables/chairs, server we are probably spending about what we would have if we had it at a restaurant. I also think parties at home are nice because there's no rush, of course it's also more work!

Do what you can, it's not a competition and either way I'm sure everyone will have a nice time!!!

Re: Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

DH and like to keep all of our parties on the smaller side....we're not really into the large events for christening, bdays, etc.

Emily's christening was in a restaurant (it was in January and there was no way we'd all fit in a house) and it was about 35 adults, 8 kids. I loved not worrying about anything.

For her first birthday, we had it catered in our backyard, and go figure, it was more expensive than her christening! Between the food, tent, tables, chairs, etc it all adds up fast. But we knew we wanted to have everyone at our house since we had recently moved in.

We find ways to make it more affordable by cutting back on the guest list. We didn't feel we needed to invite ALL of our friends to every event....just close friends.

Re: Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

all the parties we've ever had, from big birthday's to Andrew's baptism to his first b-day, etc. have been at home. And its family only, and maybe we'll do a little small party for his friends, like a playdate, at another time. I think that cuts the cost a lot, especially if you make trays of your own food.

I am having Andrew's 2nd b-day at the place where he takes his gym class. After adding up the costs, it was just as much as if I were to have it at home and had to get food, cake, decorations, paper products, etc. I will have the grandparents over to the house for cake, that's it.

You have to do what's best. No one will care where it's held, its more about the people you share the day with.

Message edited 4/8/2006 7:35:50 PM.

Re: Affording Parties at Catering Halls??

Thanks everyone! It is nice to find a bunch of people just like me, trying to watch our money (and NOT watch it fly out the window-lol!).