NWR: Olive Garden- is it rude?

I d be disappointed if it were just soup and salad. I would expect a pasta or chicken dish at least. I'm sure they can do something that's not too expensive and give you a private sitting area. A friend did her's at Brio and it was $14 a person if you have one near you.

http://www.brioitalian.com/index.html

I would be disappointed, if I arrived and only had a soup, salad and breadsticks. I think you must do more than that. You need to make sure there is some form of protein too.

You mentioned finding out that they have an entree at $8.75. Did you add gratuity to that? I have to assume that you live somewhere with a sales tax (I do not, but I bet you do). Did you add that expense? What about beverages? Do you really think the servers want to keep a tab for all of your guests?

Sorry, but this goes back to "If your budget is that tight, you need a cake and punch reception."

I have worked at the OG, and they do take reservations for up to like 100 people. They also have a "large party" sort of menu, where the soda/tea/lemonade and a scoop of ice cream are included, and there are between 5 and 10 entrees, I think. There are two levels of the menu, one is less expensive than the other, but also has fewer options. Since everything comes with soup or salad and breadsticks, it would be more than enough food. Kathy R is right, though, for groups over 8 people they add an 18% gratuity. Also, if you do end up at the OG, make sure to tell them it is a wedding RECEPTION, not a wedding rehearsal dinner. I've served those parties a few times, and it is always a little nerve-wracking when you're like "ok, wedding rehearsal dinner, pretty low-key", and then someone shows up in a wedding dress and you're worried about doing something wrong or dropping a meal on them and ruining their wedding day. It's definitely better to be prepared

That seems rude and stingy to me.

we'd be starving after that. I don't eat the soups and FI doesn't eat salad. So we'd just be paying for our own meal.

theres much more cost effective ways to go then that where you can save money and still feed your guests. My sister had her rehearsal dinner at olive garden and it was perfectly fine. She got a group rate or something and the menu consisted of only a few options. (just pick the cheaper ones) You'll have to talk to olive garden and i'm sure they'll do something similar for you - lunch rates are cheaper too. Its only a few dollars more for a real meal so even full price wouldn't cost you much more.

I don't think "rude" is the correct word of choice; it seems a bit "cheap" to only supply soup and salad since this really isn't a meal but rather an appetizer. If you can't afford for them to openly choose from the menu at Olive Garden maybe seek a more cost effective alternative.

I certainly would be disappointed if as a guest I only received soup and salad

One way to keep your costs down, but not appear "rude", "stingy" or "cheap" is to offer a dessert reception at OG. Your own cake, a selection of OG desserts (@ about $6.50/ea menu price), coffee, tea, etc.

I think a dessert reception comes across more "weddingy" than the soup/salad/bread thing - that just sounds like a budget Friday lunch with the co-workers.

Part of the fun of a reception, no matter how modest, is that it's special. There is nothing special about a bowl of soup and a breadstick. If you can have your reception at your church or the place where you're going to have your ceremony, that's what I'd do. Get a little cake, a few bottles of sparkling wine and cider, maybe some pastries and fruit and cheese. Let people know on the invites that they'll be joining you for "light refreshments and champagne"after the ceremony, and have that happen in mid afternoon. Just seems much more gracious and celebratory......

Personally, I'd rather have a delicious soup and salad than deli sandwiches, but OG does not do soup or salad exceptionally well. I agree that you should try to provide a pasta entree fro your guests. I'm not a huge fan of Michele's suggestion because $6.50 for one OG dessert seems like too much.