Picking a venue that doesn't have it's own linens or tableware is a big decision. But for me, it was a decision that I weighed very carefully...I could rent the linens from someplace, which ensures that they would be delivered, possible set up, taken away and cleaned for me. But with 18 tables, a head table, a bar and a coffee bar, how much was that going to run me? I did a few quick numbers.
Table Cloths 20 $20.00/per $400.00
Cuttlery 576 $.5/per $288.00
Water Glass 144 $0.65/per $93.60
Flutes 144 $1.00/per $144.00
Napkins 144 $0.85/per $122.40
I'll go ahead and do the math for you. That's $1048.00 in just dinner rentals. Then you have to add delivery charges, or cleaning charges, or breakage.....It might be more work, but I was sure I could do this better myself. And BOY did I.
:et's start with glassware. By hitting Goodwill on half off days, I could get a water glass or champagne flute for $0.50 a piece. That goes from $1.65 a person to $1.00 a person....And THEN you can sell it. Sure, I spent a few months collecting a handfull at a time. But it was so worth it. Look at what an average haul could look like...
Table Cloths 20 $20.00/per $400.00
Cuttlery 576 $.5/per $288.00
Water Glass 144 $0.65/per $93.60
Flutes 144 $1.00/per $144.00
Napkins 144 $0.85/per $122.40
I'll go ahead and do the math for you. That's $1048.00 in just dinner rentals. Then you have to add delivery charges, or cleaning charges, or breakage.....It might be more work, but I was sure I could do this better myself. And BOY did I.
:et's start with glassware. By hitting Goodwill on half off days, I could get a water glass or champagne flute for $0.50 a piece. That goes from $1.65 a person to $1.00 a person....And THEN you can sell it. Sure, I spent a few months collecting a handfull at a time. But it was so worth it. Look at what an average haul could look like...
Occassionally I got extra lucky and found $0.25 pieces. Or people heard what I was doing and straight up gave me pieces ("Oh! I have 3 left from a champagne set, I was going to buy a new one anyway. Take them!").
I ended up spending approximetly $100.00 on glassware (vs. the $237.60 I would have spent renting, minus charges for cleaning and breaking). Post wedding, I KEPT 12 champagne flutes, 6 "white wine" style glasses, and 6 "red wine" type glasses. I went through them as I was packing them up for resale and chose the ones I liked the best. I get so many compliments on the adorable mismatched glassware, and I have a great memory for each one. And guess what? If one breaks, I know where to find another one...
Resale, I ended up making more than half back on Craiglist. I sold to another bride doing the same thing. Final cost for glassware?
$25.00.
Stay tuned for how I approached napkins, linens, and silverware.
Resale, I ended up making more than half back on Craiglist. I sold to another bride doing the same thing. Final cost for glassware?
$25.00.
Stay tuned for how I approached napkins, linens, and silverware.