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teaforthree
My Handsome Boy!
Member since 12/10 2549 total posts
Name:
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Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
I really should have had my DS's Baptism Celebration in a restaurant!!!!
BUT... the deposit has already been paid and the invitations have been printed!
Sooooooooo...
HOW DO I DO THIS!?!??!!? The party is in a month and I don't know where to begin!
I have a DJ. I have the invitations. I bought cups (hot and cold), napkins, balloons, decorations, etc.
What's the most economical way to get the food!?!?! How do I arrange for coffee to be made for 100 people?!?!
Can you recommend a catering company that takes care of everything from set up to food to servers to coffee to clean up??
I TOTALLY regret not doing this at a restaurant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (can I keep adding exclamation points?!!?!?!).
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Posted 9/29/11 10:41 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MrsSunflwr29
LIF Adult
Member since 3/06 1093 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
Where are you having the party?
If at a VFW sometimes they have coffee pots and somethings to help you out.
I would also HIGHLY recommend to hire a waitress or two. They will set everything up, keep the party moving at a smooth place, and clean up all the tables....This would help with you not worrying about doing everything especially since it is your dc christening. The last thing you want is to worry if something is put out or watching the clock..
Good luck
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| Posted 9/29/11 10:47 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
Posted by teaforthree
I really should have had my DS's Baptism Celebration in a restaurant!!!!
BUT... the deposit has already been paid and the invitations have been printed!
Sooooooooo...
HOW DO I DO THIS!?!??!!? The party is in a month and I don't know where to begin!
I have a DJ. I have the invitations. I bought cups (hot and cold), napkins, balloons, decorations, etc.
What's the most economical way to get the food!?!?! How do I arrange for coffee to be made for 100 people?!?!
Can you recommend a catering company that takes care of everything from set up to food to servers to coffee to clean up??
I TOTALLY regret not doing this at a restaurant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (can I keep adding exclamation points?!!?!?!).
We just did DS's first BD in a firehouse hall for 40 people. Everything went really well.
Here is where I would start:
1. Make sure you know what the hall provides and get it in writing. Do you have full use of the kitchen? All the tables and chairs you need? Ours gave us unlimited use of the soda guns so see if you get any such items.
2. Work on food next. We used the Garage Eatery in Islandia. They cater to corporate functions but do personal too. Their food is great; I've had it a few times. They have a catering menu online. We ordered some of the food from them and I made some myself.
At minimum, they'll deliver and set up the food on sternos. If you hire waitstaff, they'll also help you set up, serve, and cleanup. Any course you order from them comes with the necessary extras (plates, condiments, etc.)
If you're interested in saving money see if anyone in your family has a large coffee urn. We borrowed my MIL's. It's much cheaper than to use their coffee and tea service. However, if you have to buy an urn, it could go either way.
3. Make tons of lists. I had a master list for everything I needed, from food to decorations. Even if I already had it - we already had a bunch of plasticware - I put it on the list and then put a check mark next to it to note that we had it in the house. I did this because I am anal and so I wouldn't forget it. Anything the Garage was providing, I just listed "garage" next to it. Etc.
Then make a "to buy" list. Decorations, food items not provided by the caterer, etc. I also had a "to do" list and a "to bring" list - things that had to go in the car the day of. I probably had more lists that I'm forgetting.
4. You need to do seating, but you can figure that out towards the end when you get responses.
5. Actually, I just reread your OP and you say you have the invites. Did you actually send them out? If not, that is number one at this point. 
6. Anyone in the single digits needs an activity. We had an activity table with some games and coloring books. Then again, you have a DJ, so maybe that covers the entertainment portion. Depends on the age of the kids, probably.
7. Recruit help for any setup not done by paid help. We had several people help us set up decorations. Leave more than enough time than you think you will need.
8. Don't forget about favors, a cake, tablecloths, etc.
There might be more but I'm tired. If I think of anything else I'll add it later.
Don't panic. It's the most labor intensive way to go but it'll be a lot of fun. I liked the casual and intimate tone of our party. The next time we have such a big group - probably not until my son's communion - I'd do it in the same place.
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| Posted 9/30/11 12:03 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
A Special Affair Catering in Farmingdale offers full service catering. From trays of food to full service with waiters to company picnics. They do all sizes.
They go everywhere on LI.
Call Brian the Owner.
Other choice, pick a catering company like fireside, zorn's, etc... and hire waitress to serve, clean up, buss table, etc...
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| Posted 9/30/11 7:48 AM |
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jmf423
:)
Member since 5/05 6372 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
most places you get food from will have recommendations for a waitress or service too.
i used someone great for my twins 1st b-da party. we had about 75 people and she took care of EVERYTHING. it was great that i could enjoy the party, and so could my mom and MIL who would've ended up helping me.
where is the party? if you want FM me for her info.
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| Posted 9/30/11 7:55 AM |
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dbleplay17
My 2 boys!
Member since 10/06 4578 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
I did for DS christening. We had 100 people.
For food we used. Fairway caterers in Massapequa. It was like 10.95 a person for A TON of food. I mean no joke it was awesome!! They also provided utensils, napkins and plates. They also did set up and delievery.
I got a cake from bjs. I did 2 sheet cakes and they made it so I could put them together to look like one big cake
Coffee I borrow 2 coffee urns from family and made one decaf pot and one caf pot
I bought all cups from bjs
We did not have a "bar" or a person there for the bar so we bought bottles of soda (50) I got them on sale for $1 so the soda cost me 50 bucks. We got a case of wine and a 1/2 keg.
I was able to decorate the night before. I did have balloons delievered the morning of and set up since I know if I did them the night before they would droop. A family member met the balloon lady there.
I wanted me to hire a waitress but honestly it was fine...people served themselves and threw out their own garbage...it wasnt too hard for them LOL
It worked out perfect. For DS 1st bday we are doing the same thing but I dont think I am going to caterer it I think I am going to attempt to cook....I say this now but I will be 6 months preggers when it is his 1st bday so we shall see....
If you have any other questions please feel free to FM me.
Oh yea ETA: I got all table clothes at the dollar store. ANd at every table I put tortilla chips and salasa. I got those bowls at the dollar store too. Def hit the dollar store up!!
Message edited 9/30/2011 8:35:58 AM.
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| Posted 9/30/11 8:34 AM |
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CarolAnn721
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/11 384 total posts
Name:
CarolAnn
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
We did this for our engagement. Everyone is our immediate family made 2 trays of something. 2 trays of penne, 2 trays of shrimp parm, 2 trays of chicken fran, etc etc.... I paid my friends SIL to serve the trays that weren't self serve and help clean up. The American legion had coffee pots and we brought coffee with us to make.... What neighborhood did you book in... I know a couple grat places that can cater...
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| Posted 9/30/11 10:59 AM |
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Mrs-Boop
My Babies
Member since 5/05 4956 total posts
Name:
Jaime
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
We are having DS's christening this weekend at a firehouse. This is the first time I am having it at a place that has nothing. All other places I used had at least soda and alcohol we could purchase from them, so this was an added headache, not knowing how much of what to get. Still don't think I have enough beer.
Try to find a friend or two or aquaintence that might like to make some extra money and be waitresses. Just be clear what they have to do. We got a friend of my cousins coming ot control the bar for us.
Food is being delivered by the caterer and our friend/waitress will have that all ready to go. We are going the night before to set up tables, my candy buffet, some decor and in the morning of his christening I am going to make a couple balloon arches and pillars and some balloon centerpieces. But most we are doing the night before, that is key, find out when you can get in to your place. The more you get done the day or night before the better.
We bought lots of stuff to keep the kids occupied. Our DJ will have a cotton candy machine and be doing balloon animals. I bought coloring books and each kid has a goody bag filled with a puppet to color, activity book, crayons, tattoos, bubbles, a ruler to color and another wooden thing to color.
Appetizers, we cut out, just doing chips on the tables to make it easier.
Cake, ordered from BJ's.
Table cloths, got the rolls from party city, along with plates, silverware etc.
Just make lots of lists, run the day through your head and think of what you may want or need.
Also, don't forget stuff you'll need for your son, pack that bag for the day, clothes, food etc. We are bringing DS's walker (he's older, 7 months, we're a bit late). Bring what ever your DS likes to hang in or sleep in.
Everyone is there to have fun, nobody is going to know if stuff goes wrong as long as the food is there and they are having a good time.
It will be great. Just make sure you have fun. I'll let you know how ours goes this weekend. Good Luck and have fun with it all!!!!
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| Posted 9/30/11 1:21 PM |
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Shorty
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Member since 5/05 30390 total posts
Name:
really
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
have the food delivered and msot importantly, get SERVERS - i had 2 for DS1's baptism and they were the best. Served, cleaned, packed up extras, etc.
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| Posted 9/30/11 2:00 PM |
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teaforthree
My Handsome Boy!
Member since 12/10 2549 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
Thank you ALL for the great info and tips.
We're in Islip, so I'm going to check out the Garage Eatery, Kitchen Cabaret and Fairway in Massapequa since that price ROCKS!
I will now stop panicking and adding exclamation points to my sentiment regretting we didn't choose s restaurant. lol
I actually now feel this could be great!!!
Thank you SOOOOO much!!!
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| Posted 9/30/11 3:01 PM |
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Jenn627
Laaaaaaaambert!
Member since 5/08 9818 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Any advice for throwing a party for about 100 people in a hall and having to do EVERYTHING?
Everyone posted good advice - especially the post about lists.
I did a party for my DH for about 60 people and it wasn't too bad.
If you need catering recs - I just started using Aveline Caterers. Fantastic!!
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| Posted 9/30/11 3:53 PM |
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