when planning a sweet 16/bar mitzvah type party in a catering hall,

[lisaross]

what are the things u pay for and some prices


DJ - i'm thinking about 1500.00 w/favors etc.

table centerpieces? not really sure - 10 per table?

thinking the place adds about 20% to the price for gratuities

favors? not sure

Have u thrown a party lately, what were some costs you incurred?

thanx

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

what are the things u pay for and some prices


DJ - i'm thinking about 1500.00 w/favors etc.

table centerpieces? not really sure - 10 per table?

thinking the place adds about 20% to the price for gratuities

favors? not sure

Have u thrown a party lately, what were some costs you incurred?

thanx

If you are catering, a good starting reference point is:

The fee for the site, (ask if anything like tableclothes etc are included)
DJ
Food
Centerpieces (which really can just be balloons, it a sweet 16)
If not included, table clothes, napkins, silverware, chair rental, extra table rentals, etc.
Soda pop (some places have machines and you can purchase cylindars, others you need to bring your own)
Are you doing alcohol, is so, a liquor license may be required, and also a professional bartender depending on your town's regulations
Cake and or dessert

Prices are all going to be subject to where, dates, number of hours etc. No one can really give you prices. If this is a party party, the best estimate I can give you is Expensive. If it is a small birthday get-together with lots of help, price is reasonable, but won't actually be budget. Not to be a downer, but there are always the little extra's here and there - they add up.


I would skip favors and go for the easy candy station.


I bribed both of my children with a trip with a friend and while expensive, it was still cheaper than a full-blown party and we had way more fun.. at least at DD's. My son's is in a few weeks. See ticker below.

 

[lisaross]

Yes my son wants to go on vacation for his Bar Mitzvah its my husband that wants the big party - he's crazy has no clue what things cost! its easy for him to say lets do this this and that - he does not do the budget etc.!!

i definitly rather do a lunch and a vacation!!!

 

[SPBendersky]

We are in LI NY and we pay for liq seperate from beer, Wine, and Soda. what is called Mocktails Virgin drinks, and ushers to check kids at the doors for Sweet Sixteens so they don't try to bring liq into party.

Good luck add up all the info and youll do great

 

[JeffreyY]

I see you are in NYC, we are too and had a Bat Mitzvah 2 years ago. I think you are going to be shocked at the prices.

DJ: About $4500 with give aways
Catering place : anywhere from $60 pp to $200pp (includes everything here in ny area) Plus 20% gratuity
Center peices for tables: $1000 - $6000
Favors for kids $5 - $20 per kid

There is a site that has a discussion board all about Bar/Bat mitzvah if that is what you are looking for. I don't know if I'm allowed to post it but if you pm me I'll give you the name.

 

[Donnainnj]

Ok we did a bigger party for my daughter's Confirmation. Rented a nicer hall (recently redecorated) at an ambulance corp. (held 90 people and had full kitchen) Purchased tablecloths online (just as cheap or cheaper then renting. Got food catered by a local Italian restaurant by the tray and added in some Costco food. Got a local High School friend of my daughters who DJ's ($300) Purchased my own giveaways online (sunglasses, blowups, beads, light-ups etc) Powered up the chocolate fountain. This is in Central NJ. We spent about $1500. We had about 45 people there, but had enough of everything to cover at least 65. (A lot of our family is pretty bad at RSVPs.) No alcohol.

Donna

 

[Donnainnj]

...

Center peices for tables: $1000 - $6000

OH MY GOSH! I paid less then that for my first 4 cars put together on the lower end of those center piece prices.
Donna

 

[mdsoccermom]

I am in the process of planning my daughter's bat mitzvah for March. We finally settled on a venue the other day.

Instead of a party with a meal (sit down or buffet), we are doing a dessert party with smoothie/coffee bar. We're very informal and laid back, so that's more our style. I found an awesome caterer who is giving us a great deal. Because we are doing the coffee bar, we are not having alcohol.

Where I am in Maryland, things are much cheaper than in NYC (thank g-d).

Some costs we are going to incur:
room rental ($1,200 which includes room set-up),
caterer,
sodas/water which we will provide,
linens (though the guy may throw those in - he's really easygoing),
plates/tableware (we are doing plastic and getting some nice things through smartyhadaparty.com)
centerpieces (the venue has ones we like we may use, otherwise, I am going going DIY which will not cost much)
invitations (again, DIY)
yarmulkes
DJ (around here, I can get a great one for $500)

Because it's a dessert party, we are skipping the traditional cake/lighting ceremony which I've always hated. We are also not doing favors.

I used to be an event manager, so this is right up my alley.