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TiggerBounce
The Prince & Princess
Member since 7/05 4939 total posts
Name:
J
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Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
Previous parties we've had at home I've been worn out not even 1/2 way thru the party or missed much of it because I was in and out of the kitchen getting things set up. Same with DH as he's been "stuck" at the grill or helping his Dad at the grill.
We're planning another at home party and I am trying to decide which route to go. I want to enjoy myself this time around.
My options are:
(1) We prep food and do everything ourselves and just deal with being tired/ missing some of the party
(2) We prep food and stuff but hiring someone to prep and everything else.
(3) Have everything catered and we just set it up.
(4) Have it catered and hire someone to set up and such.
I am sure the last option will be the most expensive.
Anyone have ideas on the costs of hiring someone to "wait" the party, including set up and clean up???
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Posted 4/14/09 10:14 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
CouponKT
Our family is complete
Member since 6/06 16494 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
I contacted an LIF vendor who gave me a very reasonable hourly price. I am planning a party in a few months, so I haven't booked anything yet, but I will probably go through them.
I would prep it all yourself and just hire someone to wait on your party.
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| Posted 4/14/09 10:29 PM |
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CouponKT
Our family is complete
Member since 6/06 16494 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
Another thought..... FM kerrycec03. She said she booked a caterer at a reasonable price. She will give you more info 
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| Posted 4/14/09 10:30 PM |
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Tine73
Member since 3/06 22093 total posts
Name:
*********
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
We hired a great caterer for DD's christening at our house. I had the best time - they served ppl and cleaned up afterwards.
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| Posted 4/14/09 10:35 PM |
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CCMommy
EVERYTHING CHANGES
Member since 12/07 2528 total posts
Name:
CC's Mommy
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
Posted by Tine73
We hired a great caterer for DD's christening at our house. I had the best time - they served ppl and cleaned up afterwards.
I did the same.. I think they were $50 an hour for 2 of them..
So for a 5 hour party (which included them cleaning up everything afterward) I paid $250 plus tip
I don't know where you live but I ordered from Venezia in Smithtown.. they have VERY reasonable packages
Message edited 4/14/2009 10:43:50 PM.
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| Posted 4/14/09 10:43 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
My neighbor does this type of thing. She did my baby shower and will be doing Caden's birthday party this year...
I dont know what she charges exactly b/c I get a neighbor discount but I know it's reasonable...
If you want her # let me know.
ETA: Even just having someone come and man the grill could help you out tremendously...
Message edited 4/14/2009 10:54:51 PM.
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| Posted 4/14/09 10:53 PM |
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LoveyQ
Stalkers, get a life.
Member since 11/07 12820 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
I think I would choose either option 2 or 3 - that way you would be able to enjoy yourselves and still not break the bank.
We once had a party at our place and had it catered, but no servers. We set up two tables with chafing dishes and desserts - saved us a lot of headache because other than setting up, all we had to do was clean up at the end.
For something bigger, I'm sure that having a couple of people serve and help out would be awesome.
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| Posted 4/14/09 11:45 PM |
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
DH's family has ordered trays of food from their favorite Italian restaurant, and they come and set it up with sternos and then leave. I think they just pay for the trays but I'm not sure if setup costs more. It is definitely nice to be able to relax and not worry about cooking/preparing food.
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| Posted 4/15/09 8:05 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
prep the food and hire someone to help with the serving and clean up!
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| Posted 4/15/09 9:42 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
The easiest is to have someone prep the food/cook/catered for you. The food is what takes the most time.
For clean up you can have huge garbabe pails, paper plates. Everybody will trash their stuff in the garbage pails.
The most "convenient" is that it's catered and you have someone doing the clean up during the party and after. But that's the most $$$
I know a caterer in Farmingdale I used to work with. I used to do parties all the time. FM if you want his information. They do a great job! Food is excellent!
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| Posted 4/15/09 9:49 AM |
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JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
I'm having a surprise 50th birthday/retirement party for my Dad this summer. I'm having it catered and hiring servers for it. I've done the whole cook, prep, clean up thing and I missed all the fun and was nothing but stressed. I'd rather spend a little more to enjoy the moment.
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| Posted 4/15/09 10:42 AM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
i would definitely look into hiring somebody... maybe not to cook the food, but at least to help set up, wait on the party, and help clean up at the end. its so much less stress!
For my shower, it was at my aunts house, but they hired a small caterer just to do sandwiches, salads (regular and pasta/potato). they came and did all the set up, then at the end, my sister just called them and they came back to clean up and collect everything. it worked out great! It was in NJ, so i don't think i can rec the caterer, but i'm sure you can find something like that on LI.
I've also been in a wedding where the shower was at the brides moms house- we did ALL the prep, cooking, set up, etc... it was REALLY hard to enjoy the party after that... to me its worth a little extra money to be able to enjoy the party!
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| Posted 4/15/09 11:40 AM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
Posted by MrsFlatbread
prep the food and hire someone to help with the serving and clean up!
That's what we're doing. I hate to miss all the action, so I want someone who will bring out all the food (into the backyard), serve it, and clean up. That way I can finally enjoy one of my parties.
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| Posted 4/15/09 12:19 PM |
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Jackie24
~We Did it~
Member since 7/06 6718 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
How about making the food but hiring a waitress? She will warm food, serve, clean up and put food into tupperware?
I love doing this!
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| Posted 4/15/09 12:29 PM |
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Kristin616
Member since 8/06 3595 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
Posted by Jackie24
How about making the food but hiring a waitress? She will warm food, serve, clean up and put food into tupperware?
I love doing this!
I was just going to say this.
For our engagement party my parents catered the food. Had it set up before everyone got here and then hired two waitresses to serve, clean up etc. They were able to enjoy the party.
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| Posted 4/15/09 6:17 PM |
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KarenG2003
My BIG man and my little man!
Member since 4/08 1684 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Planning an at home party and need some thoughts . . .
Posted by Kristin616
Posted by Jackie24
How about making the food but hiring a waitress? She will warm food, serve, clean up and put food into tupperware?
I love doing this!
I was just going to say this.
For our engagement party my parents catered the food. Had it set up before everyone got here and then hired two waitresses to serve, clean up etc. They were able to enjoy the party.
I did this for my DS's 1st Birthday and it was the best money we ever spent! I didn't have to worry about a thing! It was fabulous 
Yes, it is the more expensive way to go, but I felt that I wanted to be able to enjoy my son's first birthday party rather than be stressed out about everything. I can't even remember what we paid, all I remember is saying over and over again how it was SO worth it!
I LOVED the waitresses we used. FM me if you'd like the name of the business and contact info!
Message edited 4/15/2009 9:54:30 PM.
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| Posted 4/15/09 9:53 PM |
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