Engagement Party Make Your Own

Question: Engagement party in ny--ideas?

(Posted by: Me on 2010-06-22 16:53:52)

My parents want to throw my fiance & I an engagement party, but they are looking for low cost options. The guest list is over 70 people (mostly family). Please list restaurants or catering halls that cost $20 or less per person. We plan to omit the open bar. It doesn't even need to include appetizers nor dessert. But we don't want a buffet or something that will make us look cheap. We prefer places in Queens or Nassau County since we live close. Is under $20 pp a reasonable request & obtainable? It's not like we need a ton of food. Thanks for your time.

Posted by: penpallermel on 2010-06-22, 19:56:51

You may want to consider some nice restaurant chains. I had my bridal shower at the Olive Garden and it was lovely. They renovated a bunch of their restaurants so they actually have sections created for these types of parties. I don't have the exact number per person but I want to say it's very reasonable and lots of food. We had a menu for guests to pick from and there was also salad, soup, and breadsticks. We just had to supply our own cake if you don't want to use their dessert menu and we made all alcohol optional (they had to get it themselves from the bar and pay for it separately). I wish you the best and congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Posted by: CorpCityGrl on 2010-06-22, 17:40:29

There are a lot of places in the Queens and Nassau area and most are negotiable. * Donovan's in Bayside * King Umberto's in Elmont - fantastic Italian food * Seventh Street Cafe in Garden City * Koenig's in Floral Park * Minado in Carle Place - this is a buffet Japanese place, but the food is very good and fresh * Paparazzi in Bayside * Milleridge in Jericho (down the road from Broadway Mall) * George Washington Manor in Roslyn You can also consider renting out a hall and getting the party catered, which would be cost effective. I know the VFW Hall in Franklin Square is very nice and the one in Oceanside actually even does catering for you so it's worth giving them a call.

Posted by: JM on 2010-06-22, 18:03:59

It may not be attainable. The cheapest I found a few years back was $25-30 pp. for a bridal shower luncheon. No alcohol, no dessert. For 70 people a place that large to accomodate you is going to charge you way more than $20 pp. Why would a buffet make you look cheap? It's an engagement party - not a wedding. Personally I'd skip the engagement party altogether and put the money towards the wedding. By the way - all of those resturarants that the other poster mentioned... Waay more than $20 pp.