Franfogel wrote:
> I'm helping a young relative plan her wedding. She and her fiance don't have a
> lot of money, but would like to have dinner for their guests, not just wedding
> cake and champagne. What is the least amount they can spend and still have
> something respectable? Even the venues are pricey and don't include food.
> Would I be correct in thinking that they would do better going with a banquet
> hall that could sell them a package, rather than renting a venue and bringing
> in food themselves? If anyone's planned a wedding recently and has some good
> advice I'd love to pass it on to her. Thanks!
>
> Fran
Congratulations and best of luck to the happy couple.

One practical alternative might be to have just a toast at the wedding
and combine the reception with the housewarming after the happy couple
have settled in to their new home. My wife and I got married at San
Francisco's City Hall (what could be more romantic than waiting in line
with dozens of other loving couples) and had a nice lunch with perhaps
8-10 people. When he had a housewarming a month or so later, my
mother-in-law brought all her friends who left us wedding cards and cash.