A Parent's Breakfast

[beannes]

I applied for these places 3-4 months in advance and they're still booked, crazy. A freemason lodge would be good, only we don't have one in the immediate area, and I wanted to keep this breakfast as close to the campus as I could so that the families wouldn't get lost, they could easily get to their daughter's dorm, plus it's a big extravaganza for the dorms.

[beannes]

However, I asked what my ceiling was for spending so I could find catering options, but no one has gotten back, this being asked weeks ago. What do you think would be a good ceiling, feeding about 90-120

[AZTheta]

Oh my goodness, there are so many variables involved in answering your question about catering costs! It would be hard to even suggest a dollar amount because of everything that's involved, starting with the menu. And usually you're told in advance what your budget is for an event, which guides your planning and spending.

Some catering companies will provide everything; others will charge extra for travel time, set up and breakdown. Again, not knowing if you're in a large urban area or at a a rural area, this is hard to answer.

This also applies to finding and reserving a space for an event. Sounds like your options are not numerous. In AZ, if you want a large space, you need to plan far ahead (like as much as a year or even longer, depending on time of year and size of group and desired space/location). Our alumnae group has already booked a location for our annual Founders Day luncheon for the next two years. We did that last January. The good places are taken fast.

Realized that I know way more than I ever thought I'd know about event/party planning, just in thinking over responses to this thread. Another awesome benefit of sorority membership!

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Oh my goodness, there are so many variables involved in answering your question about catering costs! It would be hard to even suggest a dollar amount because of everything that's involved, starting with the menu. And usually you're told in advance what your budget is for an event, which guides your planning and spending.

Some catering companies will provide everything; others will charge extra for travel time, set up and breakdown. Again, not knowing if you're in a large urban area or at a a rural area, this is hard to answer.

This also applies to finding and reserving a space for an event. Sounds like your options are not numerous. In AZ, if you want a large space, you need to plan far ahead (like as much as a year or even longer, depending on time of year and size of group and desired space/location). Our alumnae group has already booked a location for our annual Founders Day luncheon for the next two years. We did that last January. The good places are taken fast.

Realized that I know way more than I ever thought I'd know about event/party planning, just in thinking over responses to this thread. Another awesome benefit of sorority membership!

Agreed. AOII does calendar planning a semester in advance for a reason. Getting collegiate members to understand the benefit sometimes is like pulling teeth. This is the PERFECT example of why you need that lead time (if not more.)

[SydneyK]

I'm still confused by scheduling a breakfast event for noon.

OP, since the time of your event has changed, do you plan to change the menu or are you sticking to breakfast items? If it's the latter, that might also affect your catering options.

[Titchou]

The breakfast is before the event. I'd actually call it a brunch since it's after 8 AM but that's neither here nor there. You sure wouldn't serve hamburgers at 10 AM!