In case you were wondering- yes, I'm still working on that whole wedding thing. Don't worry, I haven't accomplished anything without blogging about it. Currently, I'm attempting to nail down the catering (as you might remember, the last attempt didn't work out). As of now, I've found a caterer with great recommendations and food... but without the best budget proposal. Before I commit to going with them or move on to another caterer, I'd like to look at all of my options including making some cuts to the current list.
The first thing that jumped out at me as a possible cut was the coffee. The $150 coffee. Yes, I'm having a brunch wedding and coffee does say, "breakfast," but we really won't be eating until noonish and it should be around 90 degrees at that time in July. Plus, I don't even drink the stuff and, unlike food, no one really needs it.
What do you think- can I cut out the coffee or do you think more than three people will miss it?
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14 comments:
My family is a bunch of coffee addicts, so I would feel like I need to have it there, but there are a million ways to do it cheaply. Are you allowed to bring in anything of your own? Borrow someone's Kurig coffee maker and just buy one pack of K-cups. Or transfer some Dunkin' Donuts Joe-in-a-Box to a couple of pretty carafes. Not that it would make sense for you to do so, but even buying a brand new perculator and a couple of pounds of good coffee would be cheaper than $150.
If you can't bring some of your own on the cheap, I'd say cut it. $150 for coffee is ridiculous, no matter how many people would miss it.
Cut it! Who the heck drinks coffee in 90 degree weather? Now, along with what AMD said, if they would let you bring in your own maybe you could bring in some ICED coffee- less stress because you don't have to keep it hot, plus, hello?? 90 degrees!!
But if not, I'd say to cut it.
I think it depends on the crowd. If the bulk of the guests are around your age, you can probably cut the coffee. However, if you've got a decent amount of aunts, friends of parents, etc. in the mix, it could be an item that would be missed at a brunch reception - even in July.
Coffee was a sticking point for our reception too. I was ready to cut it. My dad and my in-laws flipped out. So there was coffee. However, we found it was one of the things the caterer was most willing to negotiate on.
@AMD~ At first the coffee seemed like a minor addition, but the thing is that it's the coffee+ service fees+ taxes+ renting mugs. Renting the mugs is half of it!
I'd negotiate that for sure! Sounds like you are good at it (with the new roof)! I don't recall how much we paid for coffee. It may have been nothing, just the rental of the cups, which can add up. But you can also do half, knowing that not everyone will drink it. That's what we did. Most will just want it with cake or dessert. I wouldn't let that $150 stop you from choosing the caterer, if everything else is right. We only tasted with two caterers, and I would say, go with the one that offers more choices of food and has experience! One of the caterers had only been in the wedding business for a few years. The one we chose had been in it for 20+ years and that knowledge and experience paid off! They were essentially like wedding planners for us, figuring out timing of the whole day. Anyways, I obviously have lots of advice to give! ha ha! Best of luck.
Also, if they are charging to serve coffee or cut cake, I'd say hell no! You are already paying a lot of money for the service/labor for the head chef, servers, bartenders, etc. They are already getting paid! At least that's how I feel!
I hate to say it, but I think people will miss it, at least my friends would. I'm right there with you living in the 90+ degree heat, but I've been to a lot of outdoor brunches and everyone always wants coffee. But if your friends having eating habits like you, then I'm sure it won't be missed.
Hm...I would only cut the coffee if you have a breakfasty-caffeine alternative. Will iced tea be on the menu? Even though you won't be eating until noon, people might need a little pick-me-up after an a.m. wedding. But I'm sure you can find some way around what they're asking! Could you ask the caterer to only serve a few things of iced coffee, so you can put it in normal glasses and not have to rent the mugs?
Assuming you'll be serving other beverage options and won't be leaving your guests parched and dehydrated, I'd say you don't owe anyone a cup of coffee. It's your event, serve what you like!
Kasey, I think I am going to have to go against the grain on this one.
If you are serving any kind of breakfast item and/or cake, people will expect coffee. They just go hand in hand.
I say this with much love and respect, but I'm going to be completely honest with you: It's just $150-- trust me, I know little things add up quickly, however I think you are toeing the line between frugal and down right cheap.
Maybe you can negotiate the cost, or the rental of the cups. It might even be cheaper (and super cute) to purchase cheap coffee cups from a thrift store! I love quirky things at weddings, and I would find it charming if I could pick out my own cup that said something like " I <3 Nebraska".
Just a thought..
LB
I just went through the picking a caterer thing. One thing that sealed the deal with our top pick was that when we asked them about ways to cut the costs and bring the quote down to a price we could afford they were able to come up with some ideas that left all of the important (to us) aspects intact. Catering companies know that budgets are important, I think that a good one should be able to work a deal that fits you. Also, it's your wedding, if you don't want coffee then don't have it.
i wouldn't cut it... guests at a brunch wedding will want it. and even if it's just a few, why not? cutting in too many places borders between thrifty and just being cheap.
Just wanted to agree with the people who said not to cut the coffee. It is a brunch, and there will be cake. Coffee will be missed, even if it is 90 degrees outside.
You must have coffee. Why it costs that much is beyond me, but it's not that much in the grand scheme of wedding expenses.
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