It's ironic because I have Crohn's disease and don't eat gluten, so I'd be ordering a GF personal pizza for myself and would avoid the cupcakes/brownies/beer and hit up just the veggies, salad, GF pizza, candy bar and wine. I know one guest for sure is celiac's, so I'd expect her night would look similar to mine.
vegan could do: veggie app, green salad, french bread, candy dairy free could do: veggie app, chicken wings, green salad, french bread/garlic bread, candy vegetarian could do: veggie app, bruschetta, cheese pizza, spinach/fruit/goat cheese salad or the house salad, candy, cupcakes, brownies
I don't think we would have any known vegan or dairy free guests coming. we might have 1 or 2 vegetarians.
I'd just make sure you ask on the invite whether people need accommodations. If you are getting GF pizzas, I'd be thrilled, but I'd have to know the menu to tell you I needed that. Usually at a buffet style wedding I can get away with grabbing a protein and whatever veggies are available. This time I'd need you to have ordered something special for me. Make sense?
very much so. how would you word it on the invite?
Post by whosthatgirl on Aug 16, 2013 16:58:23 GMT -5
I've been to a wedding that served pizza, salads, fruit, beer, and wine. It was awesome! The pizza place that catered the event had a renovated vintage fire truck that was a pizza oven, so everything was baked on site. It was one of the best weddings I've been to!
I just googled that and the knot threads about it are hilarious. "Don't ask about dietary restrictions! People will tell you all about how they hate onions! People with real food limitations will just reach out and tell you about it"
I certainly wouldn't reach out to a bride and ask for a GF meal, or a low carb meal for my husband, again because I usually assume there will be something I can make work and I don't want to be a bother.
I'd probably just put a line asking if there are any dietary restrictions we should be aware of. Or Gluten Free is a very specific one you could just let people check off, and then order GF pizzas and cupcakes.
I've been to a wedding that served pizza, salads, fruit, beer, and wine. It was awesome! The pizza place that catered the event had a renovated vintage fire truck that was a pizza oven, so everything was baked on site. It was one of the best weddings I've been to!
I've been to a wedding that served pizza, salads, fruit, beer, and wine. It was awesome! The pizza place that catered the event had a renovated vintage fire truck that was a pizza oven, so everything was baked on site. It was one of the best weddings I've been to!
Ok, I sent out emails to Lou's and Giordano's. Thank you all for the advice and insight.
Next step is to secure a planner then contact Prairie Production (venue) to check on their availability and make sure I'm understanding their terms. Looks like I totally have a DJ and photographer! woot.
I have one last very important question. FI wants to get married in May (2015 - no way we could pull this off by next spring) because he'll still be covered under his work health insurance and can take paid leave when we go on our honeymoon. Sometime that summer/fall, he'll likely leave his current position to get his MBA.
My birthday is at the end of April. Do I want my birthday and wedding anniversary so close? (And later Mother's Day + Easter). I don't want to get burnt out on celebrations.
Post by DirtySouth on Aug 16, 2013 18:17:03 GMT -5
I'm not crazy about a pizza dinner in that venue and with so many traditional things. If your heart is set on deep dish pizza, then I'd look into more trendy and/or casual location, maybe even renting out a bar or a pizza place. If I were attending a wedding at that location and then saw pizza, I'd be a bit wtf. However, in the right location where I knew to expect something quirky or non-traditional, it would seem cool and fun.
Two bartenders seems really low for 140 guests. You don't want everyone to be standing in line all night rather than dancing/having fun.
There's nothing wrong with carrying DIY flowers other than (1) you'll need to ask someone to buy the flowers and make the bouques since I really think you're underestimating how little interest/time you will have for that a day before your wedding when you should be relaxing/getting pampered and (2) you don't want them to look crappy given that they'll be in a lot of photos.
The website recommends 1 per 75 guests for a beer/wine wedding. I think we should be good here? I could always hire another if others agree though.
I can put my sister and wedding planner on flower duty, right?
I think you're fine. For work functions, we have 2 bartenders for 4 people--and even that is only crowded at first (my coworkers are big drinkers too)
My sister had 1 bartender for 120 people and it was fine.
Post by DirtySouth on Aug 16, 2013 18:45:47 GMT -5
This couple had a pizza wedding reception at a bar. I would look into bars and small music venues that you might be able to rent out. offbeatbride.com/2013/01/chicago-bar-wedding
At my sister's wedding, we made all the bouquets and centerpieces, which were gerbera daisy's from Costco, which meant threading floral wire through the middle. If we could do that to 200 daisies, you can throw some wildflowers in a jar. LOL.
I love the pizza truck idea. Definitely get a planner and I think it will all work out just fine!
I've been to a wedding that served pizza, salads, fruit, beer, and wine. It was awesome! The pizza place that catered the event had a renovated vintage fire truck that was a pizza oven, so everything was baked on site. It was one of the best weddings I've been to!
I love the idea, but agree you need a planner to help work out the logistics. I'd think twice about DIY'ing flowers. Have you guys set a date or time of year? Go seasonal and simple and a good florist can put something cost effective for you.
Post by alleinesein on Aug 16, 2013 19:36:40 GMT -5
Definitely price out florists just to get an idea of what it would cost. My florist did all my wedding party flowers, centerpieces and provided all of the linen (tablecloths, overlays, chair covers and napkins) for my reception. Flowers were my one splurge so we spent over $4000 for my florist but he was worth every penny.
As for the dietary restrictions you could always just include an option on the RSVP card for GF and Vegetarian. My MOH had a nut allergy so all of my food contracts had it stamped all over it.
Basically, I think it's a great idea but you need to find a more casual venue.
I really do appreciate all of the links (they were very fun to look at!), but I'm confused why I can't serve pizza in a loft (barring the logistical issues previously discussed)
Pizza is not just a random cheap food for the poors -- deep dish pizza is a Chicago staple and something I would love to share with our guests. If calories didn't count, I'd personally choose it over much "fancier" food 9/10 times.
Basically, I think it's a great idea but you need to find a more casual venue.
I really do appreciate all of the links (they were very fun to look at!), but I'm confused why I can't serve pizza in a loft (barring the logistical issues previously discussed)
Pizza is not just a random cheap food for the poors -- deep dish pizza is a Chicago staple and something I would love to share with our guests. If calories didn't count, I'd personally choose it over much "fancier" food 9/10 times.
Cheap food for the poors? lol. It's not a high budget vs. low budget thing. It's a formality thing. Just my opinion, though. I personally would pick a less formal venue than the one you posted and keep a more casual theme. That doesn't have to mean cheap. I get the desire to do something different with regional food - my wedding had fried chicken, sweet tea and pink lemonade in mason jars, boiled peanuts, and watermelon. If you love that venue and have your heart set on pizza, then do it. I wouldn't be as concerned about the logistical issues, as it looks like a lot of people have done pizza and it worked out just fine. A pizza company who does regular catering is going to know how to cater an event and make sure the pizza is warm.
Post by DirtySouth on Aug 16, 2013 22:29:56 GMT -5
All that said, the white loft does pretty much look like a blank canvas. IDK. Maybe it would work. I would make a conscious effort with decorating, picking invitations, linens, etc to make it seem more informal. Informal =/= cheap or a wedding for the poors, lol.
Basically, I think it's a great idea but you need to find a more casual venue.
I really do appreciate all of the links (they were very fun to look at!), but I'm confused why I can't serve pizza in a loft (barring the logistical issues previously discussed)
Pizza is not just a random cheap food for the poors -- deep dish pizza is a Chicago staple and something I would love to share with our guests. If calories didn't count, I'd personally choose it over much "fancier" food 9/10 times.
I agree that I'd pick it over fancier food most of the time. I love the pic of the venue you posted earlier, and I love the pizza idea. Like a PP said, you'll never make everyone happy and not everyone will agree with your choices. Your wedding is one of the times when it's really ok to do what makes you and FI happy. It's nice to take others into consideration, but, really, at the end of the day you and FI need to be happy with and excited about your choices.
We did our flowers ourselves. My Aunt had a license to buy at a wholesale flower market. I had 7 rose bouquets, and 15 flower table centerpieces, and 8 bouts and we spent $500. The day before the wedding, the entire wedding party and family helped prep the flowers in the morning and it only took a couple hours with everyone helping. We provided booze and had a good time. I then left to get my nails done and then we all met back up for the rehearsal.
I really do appreciate all of the links (they were very fun to look at!), but I'm confused why I can't serve pizza in a loft (barring the logistical issues previously discussed)
Pizza is not just a random cheap food for the poors -- deep dish pizza is a Chicago staple and something I would love to share with our guests. If calories didn't count, I'd personally choose it over much "fancier" food 9/10 times.
I agree that I'd pick it over fancier food most of the time. I love the pic of the venue you posted earlier, and I love the pizza idea. Like a PP said, you'll never make everyone happy and not everyone will agree with your choices. Your wedding is one of the times when it's really ok to do what makes you and FI happy. It's nice to take others into consideration, but, really, at the end of the day you and FI need to be happy with and excited about your choices.
I definitely agree with this. At the end of the day, you should just do what makes you happy.
Post by rachelgreen on Aug 16, 2013 23:09:18 GMT -5
1) Deep dish pizza wedding in my favorite hometown, can I come?! lol
2) In my personal opinion, DIY flowers are honestly not that big of a deal as long as you are organized and have a plan. I ordered my long stem calla lillies from Sam's Club, had them arrive the day before the wedding, opened them and put them into 5 gallon paint buckets so they could set up, hand-tied them during the day and was ready to go for our 3:30 ceremony time. We ordered simple bouts for the guys and I made one alter centerpiece for the ceremony. In total I know I spent less than $300 for all of this. I had a heavy, heavy DIY wedding/reception in Rosemont. If it came down to it, you could choose to only use some larger centerpieces on the "important" tables like gifts. guest book, bar, escort card, etc. Then for the main table centerpieces, stick with the ball jars, throw some burlap and lace around them with candles.
I didn't make it through all the responses - just the first few pages.
My sister and I both had DIY flowers from Sam's Club. They were beautiful and it was no big deal to put them together. As long as you aren't doing anything elaborate, I think it's easy and a great cost saver. I think I spent about $300 on flowers and had floral centerpieces and bouquets.
Honestly, I think you are going to have way too much food. People will probably not eat more than 2 slices of pizza if it's deep dish, and to have appetizers, salad, garlic bread, and a ton of desserts on top of that - plus beer, which is filling - I think you're way overestimating. I get wanting to have enough food, but I think you could cut a lot of that if you were a little more conservative on what people are actually going to eat. Honestly if you do appetizers, salad, and garlic bread, people may only eat 1 piece. I know when I'm hungry I can't eat more than 3 slices and I'm a big eater.
So maybe do light apps, skip the garlic bread, and pick 1 thing for dessert (cupcakes?). That would probably save you a couple thousand dollars.
This sounds fun. Love, love, love the pizza idea. Filet at weddings is usually crappy anyway, and deep dish is going to be fantastic.
You got some great advice above...one suggestion I have: You mentioned that if you can get it below 30k you'd add stuff like a photo booth.
Here's my MM challenge to you...come in under 30k and bank the savings. Photo booths and stuff can be fun, but really they are just chewing up that extra dough.
Food for thought!
Also...please post more about weddings, clearly we love this topic.
My birthday is at the end of April. Do I want my birthday and wedding anniversary so close? (And later Mother's Day + Easter). I don't want to get burnt out on celebrations.
My wedding was three days after my birthday, it is not a big deal at all. It is fun celebrating two things so close!
My wedding was a week after my birthday. NBD. The bigger problem has been DD1's birthday being 2 days before mine lol.