Planning a surprise b-day party for my husband....?!
I am trying to keep the cost low due to the fact that we are having another b-day party the following weekend for our 2 children.
Answers: I was thinking about having it at his new favorite bar. I will bring in the cake and supplies and if the guests want food/beverages then they can open up a tab. My question is, is this the wrong thing to do? Should I be supplying it all?
I am trying to keep the cost low due to the fact that we are having another b-day party the following weekend for our 2 children.
i am a professional pastry chef married to a chef who runs a kitchen at an upscale bar. it would be best if you ask the bar owner or manager if you can bring the cake in. some states have health code laws that forbid any food from being brought into a restaurant establishment. some places will provide a cake for you - other places welcome you to bring your own.
no - you should not be expected to provide for everyone in this instance. if you were renting out a room and planning a catered event, it would be on you. do make sure to tell everyone that the first round of drinks is on you and leave it at that. you may want to pick up the cost for anyone you know is having financial difficulties - that is what we usually do. that way everyone gets to be included.
you can control the cost of the drinks - order a round of your husband's favorite shots for everyone before you cut the cake - and have everyone toast your husband. if this is something you are not comfortable doing, enlist the help of one of his buddies to accomplish this.
also - keep the cake on the small side. many people don't want cake when they drink - or think of a cake alternative. spend that money on disposable cameras and get everyone to take pictures all evening. while a cake is a good thing - it isn't always the most memorable thing. a cake lasts a day - pictures forever.
after catering many events, i can tell you the most memorable are the one's that are from the heart. keep it simple, light, and focused on the birthday boy. have a blast. keep the cake for the kids.
bright blessings
If you supply the cake (and maybe some munchies) your friends shouldn't object to buying their own drinks.
Your plan sounds like it's on the right track. I would definitely not spring for the drinks. Alcohol can get extremely expensive.
You might consider also paying for a few plates of appetizers nothing over the top. A lot of bars have appetizer platters or happy hour specials that are easily affordable. If your guests desire something more substantial, they can order it for themselves.
My opinion would be to take him to a bar that you told a few friends to meet you there for a drink for his Birthday. I wouldn't expect anyone to pay for my drinks if I were asked just to join in on a gathering... You would be better off having a party at home for a few friends... and then maybe going off to a bar for a couple of drinks...if you want you could buy the first round by saying this "first round is on me"
I don't think it is wrong. What you can do is create a drink named after your husband, like the BOB if his name is Bob and pay for everyone to get ONE if they want one. Meet up with the bartender in advance and they might give you a good rate and will help you make a tasty drink up.
pagan pie princess nailed it perfectly. Wonderfully advised. Hats off to you dear.I see we're in the same business. lol
