I found an awesome place that I wanted to rent, but it turns out that it is $700 for only a couple of hours. I know that I have plenty of time, but the place that I have in mind is already booked through June so I would love to settle on something soon. Are you having your shower at someones home or will you be renting a venue? If you are renting, how much are you (or whoever is paying) spending?
Re: Where will you have your baby shower? Help!
I am having 3 formal showers. ?One at a tea room, and two at people's homes. ?I am also having one at my school where I teach and I think DH's co-workers are throwing him one.
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BTW I have never heard of someone planning their own shower. ?Usually your family or friends select the venue.?
Matthew Kevin
7/31/83-7/20/11
Met 1/8/00
Engaged 4/21/06
Married 9/29/07
Two beautiful legacies: Noah Matthew (2 yrs) and Chloe Marcella (8 mos)
Day Three
I wouldn't spend that much on a place just for a baby shower. Two of my friends are throwing mine, and it is at one of the girls houses. I threw one for a friend a few weeks ago that had 40 people come, and I was able to use the church. It was FREE and they had nice tables, chairs, etc.
I can't justify spending $700 on a location for a baby shower. If this were a wedding, I would feel differently, but I would rather spend that money on items for the baby...or on clothing for me!
I am having 4 showers. MIL is going to have it at her house (its pretty big size). My mom's family is having a small shower at my Grandma's nursing home, so she can be with us. My friends shower will be at one of my friends house. And my Dad's & step Mom's family is having a welcoming shower/party after the baby is born at a small cafe, which my parents friends own. We haven't set a date for that one, but its in a very small town, so it shouldn't be a problem.
It probably wouldn't be a bad idea for you to book something soon if you go that route.
My showers will be at the hostess's homes. $700 seems like a lot of money to shell out to rent a place just for a baby shower. Is there a reason you're looking into renting a place? Is space an issue? If so, do you have a church you go to? Or a family member's church? You could always use their fellowship hall.
Just an idea. I just can't see spending that kind of money like that - I'd rather it go towards stuff for the baby, or a college fund or something!
In the town where my mom lives there is this beautiful park where a stream goes by. We're reserving the picnic area and we're going to BBQ since it's in July.
With Babyshower #1, we had it at a local hotel's banquet room. I think we paid $200 for 3 hrs. It was a nice room, but ended up being cramped in there because of all the tables.
I find that shower location (both baby and bridal) varies greatly by region. My friends from the Northeast are used to having showers in restaurants, and find it kind of cheap to have them at someone's house. Whereas in the South, we only ever have them at people's homes and if someone were to host a shower at a restaurant, people would think she was rude because she didn't want to open her home to her guests!
Anyway, as I said -- we do showers in people's homes, so that's where mine are!
My friend is going to rent a huge white tent and have it in the garden at the university from where we both graduated this June. That might be a great idea for you, if you're connected to a college or other institution with some kind of banquet room (or outdoor facility, depending on the time of year). Usually, if you're an alum, they'll give you a huge discount or rent it to you for free (especially if there aren't any other events going on that day). We're getting the space for free, so my friend is only having to pay for the decorations, catering, and so forth.
I'm not sure how much my friend is spending on everything, but I offered to pay for the total cost, which she denied. She's wanting to foot the bill, so I'm trying really hard to accept that (I hate expecting other people to pay for me). I know she's renting a tent, having wildflowers brought in for centerpieces, and getting a catering company to do light finger foods.
You can do a lot on a small budget, though. With my DS's shower, I paid for and planned everything myself, and I didn't spend that much (maybe $250 or $300). We hosted it in my grandmother's home, which had ample room for the 30 or so guests I'd invited. I bought finger foods from a little cafe nearby and a few bouquets of flowers from the market. I also hand-made the invitations. So, it can be done on a small budget...it's just all on how much time you want to spend doing it yourself (or having others help). GL! I'm sure it will be beautiful!