Coffee and Tea

You need to have coffee and tea, and trust me, you don't want to do it yourself.

Pay the money and get it for everyone. Running out of coffee at the end is about the worst way to finish off the night.

That is definitely a lot cash for coffee. I think is necessary to have coffee, tea, and water station. Find an outside vendor? Go to your local coffee shop to see if they offer that service?

I looked into possibly doing that and it was almost as much to rent the equipment to keep it warm and trust me, you'll have enough to do that day without brewing coffee or tea. The only way I can see getting around this would be to provide hot water and instant coffee and tea bags, but that would seem a little cheap to me personally.

Celia is right. Having said that, yes usually a lot goes to waste. Your caterer has to provide cups, saucers, tea, coffee, spoons, all the various sweeteners, all the various creamers, lemon slices, and has to set up a pretty station and keep it organized and trash free. I know it seems like a lot of money, but you can't just bring a thermal carafe and have it work.

Also, how many servings is that for? Is that 70 servings, or 70 of each item? It may be 70 or each, which would be 140 glasses and wouldn't be as much. Or is it unlimited amounts for 70 people?

It's a lot of money for coffee, but I would just suck it up, pay the $300, and let the caterer handle it. People will want coffee and tea (I love nothing more than a cup of coffee with my dessert) and doing the setup yourself will be a huge hassle during an already stressful time.

Ok, thanks everyone. I know $300 isn't a lot in theory compared to everything else. Was just seeing if there was any alternative!

Thanks though!

Most of the venues I've seen serve coffee and tea to the tables during and after dinner. This could be a less expensive option. I would love a coffee and tea station with special add-ins but prices vary for each venue. Also, make sure your venue allows you to bring in outside items like this, some don't.

I'd pay for all of it, but...

As a coffee and tea snob, I'd ask what brand they're using. That seems like a lot of money if they're just doing Folgers and Lipton. If its a decent quality brand for each, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I always take advantage of the coffee and tea stations when they're available.

I don't understand paying all that for a reception for 70 people, then balking at $300 for coffee and tea, which most people drink one or the other of.

>_>

Hmmm...I guess every caterer is different, but most of the ones I talked to in my planning process offered coffee and tea complimentary with the package. Like PP's I'm also curious if they're using a higher than standard brand or something that would warrant the high cost.

Coffee and tea is CHEAP to make, so I honestly think $300 is way overpriced. I've never seen a venue/caterer charge more than $1 per person for coffee. Go with your gut though and pay for it if you know most of your guests will drink coffee or tea.

We are having it, it's an extra expense but we felt it was necessary

A thermos of coffee at your wedding? No dear. Pay the caterer what they want.

I do love my coffee and tea, so I will definitely take your advice @yasmina and see what they are using. Either way we will have coffee and tea available! I appreciate everyone's opinion!

I also don't believe I was balking @MNA. We are doing a bbq style wedding were we are paying $27.00 per person. So, in retrospect $4.30 per person is expensive when we are already paying so little for food. We are trying to save money where we can and were unsure if we can go about it a different route is all. I mean I appreciate your input, but tone down the judgement.

Thanks so much everyone! We are going to have coffee and tea either way, I may see if I can even purchase the coffee and tea myself and have them serve it, if that would cut back costs. We are saving a butt ton of money that way with alcohol!

Okay, I'm going to break it down for all of you that are like "coffee and tea are cheap to make".

You are paying for:

Someone to make coffee later in the evening (trust me, you don't want it sitting all night)

Someone to set up the table with the urns/thermoses, cups, saucers, milk, cream, sugar, sweetners, spoons

Someone to clear the area and keep it clean

Someone to make sure that there is always coffee and hot water.

That $300, I guarantee is going mostly for wages.

@Julie: "...my caterer was going to charge $300, which I thought was insane..."

Balking.

You are paying for the BBQ, now you have to pay for the non-alcoholic beverages as well. What you WANT to do is like going to a restaurant, ordering an almost $30 entree meal for each guest, then whipping out a 2 liter of Coke because you don't want to pay $2.99 per guest for a drink which will be refilled with *fresh* Coke constantly, while the 2 liter remnants go flat.

It. Makes. Zero. Sense.

You're not paying much more per person total than taking them to Outback.

@MNA There is no need to be rude and try to argue here. This is an extremely happy time and stressful time for all brides. I apologize for my ignorance towards prices of having coffee and tea. Which is why I am trying to educate myself and find out what other people have done. I would appreciate it if we kept this a judgement free zone with only constructive criticism. Not attacking someone because they are unsure of something. Thanks

Oh honey, no one was rude to you. If you want sunshine and rainbows, I suggest staring for long periods of time into a bright light.

@Julie: That was not rudeness, it was bare honesty. Let me help you out:

Rudeness: Telling a bride she looks like a busted can of biscuits in her dress.

Bluntness: telling you your idea sucks and/or is rude and why.

The latter is generally followed up with ways to help remedy the situation.

Additionally, it is against CG to dictate to others how to post. This is a public forum, if you don't like what is said, grow a thicker skin. Just like I can't keep you from posting bad ideas, you can't dictate to me how I respond to said bad ideas.

There was also no arguing in the last post, just clarification. You balked in your op, then claimed you didn't, when it's there in writing, plain as day. Saying you think someone's prices are insane is literally called balking at the price. This is what you did. This has ALL been constructive criticism, but what you *want* are rainbows and butterflies blown up your butt. We don't do that here.

Also, it's against CGs as well to declare someone as attacking you when they haven't. Seeing as I have not called you any names, or made other, similar derogatory statements about you, I have not attacked you.