My mom is turning 65 in July and we are having a luncheon for her friends and a few local family members. The guest list came from my mom (it's not a surprise that we're having it, though I may invite a couple of out-of-town relatives to surprise her)because she belongs to several organizations and different circles of friends so I needed her to help with the guest list. I am planning to call around to find a restaurant that has a separate room (for about 30 people) but also has very reasonably priced food-- something along the lines of Olive Garden for pricing, but we don't like Olive Garden. Sooooooo... 2 questions...
Any suggestions of where to have it? Winter Park area or Downtown Orlando Area or Waterford Lakes area or anywhere close to those areas would all be OK.
More importantly, I need help wording the invitations to let everyone know that everyone is paying for their own lunch. My mom and her best friend both swear that it is not a problem with their friends-- they say that every time they go out with a group of women (even if it's to celebrate someone's birthday) that they each pay their own check. Please do not suggest that we do it differently or have a smaller guest list because we definatly want to invite everyone on the list, and there is no one wealthy enough to pick up the whole check. I went to a baby shower luncheon once and we all paid for our own lunch-- I was FLOORED when the check came because that never happened to me before (there were only about half a dozen of us so I assumed the best friend who had sent the invitations would be picking up the check). I didn't mind paying for my own lunch, but I thought she should have made it clear from the start so we all weren't taken by surprise when the check came. Sooooo... how do you tactfully word the invitation so there are no surprises????
How about "Friendship, laughter, reminiscences, and good company provided; lunch will be picked up individually"?
Enjoy!
you can include the price range of the entrees, or that family will cover dessert and coffee...etc.
I don't have a suggestion as to where, but I threw a bridal shower and couldn't afford to buy lunch for everyone so I included this little insert with the invitation:
<I>The Main Street Grill is located at
100 East New York Avenue
DeLand, Florida 32724
Lunch prices range from $4.39-14.99.
View their menu online at
http://www.mainstreetgrilldeland.com/
Jamaica is registered at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.</I>
No one was surprised and everyone paid for their own lunch! I also made sure to tell the waiter that we needed separate checks.
Hey Tammi!
Before I got married, my friends & sister had bridal showers for me...one was at The Cheesecake Factory & the other at Brio, both in the Winter Park Village. They were on Saturday afternoon, after the lunch crowd, so it was not busy in the restaurant. Both were really nice. And those restaurants are classy, yet not too pricey. As for the invitation wording....hmmm...I dont think it will be a problem especially since your Mom's friends do this a lot...I understand your feelings from the baby shower & being shocked to have to pay...but since they are used to doing this, they shouldnt be shocked...H.
Hi! I just hosted a small bridal shower last weekend and it was at a restaurant. I too wanted to make it clear that everyone needed to pay for their own entree.
On the invitation, I simply worded it as everyone was invited to come for time with friends and a casual meal. I noted the hostess would be providing dessert. By pointing out that I was providing dessert, it made it pretty obvious wasn't providing the meal. I would suggest you order a cake from Publix or something and you proivde that part of the meal. If you want me to send you the specific wording, send me an email and I'll dig it out for you. (____@____.com) :)
As far as location, what about Louie and Maria's on Colonial near Dean. Since remodeling, they have a large back room that should be able to accommodate your group...and their food is amazing. Lunch prices are very reasonable as well.
Good luck!
As far as a place to have it--call Il Pescatore. They are on Primrose right of off East 50 by the fashion square mall. They have great Italian food (much much better than OG) and are very reasonably priced. They have two rooms and I'm pretty sure you can take one of them for a private party. We had 20 people there for my birthday a couple of years ago.
As far as the invitation--make sure you invitations look casual--I know it sounds trivial but the look of the invitations will set the expectations of the event.
Next I would include a hard copy of the menu inside with possible directions and then put on the invitation--"please see included menu for selections and prices".
Oh and make sure when you make the reservation with the restaurant to tell them in advanced that there will be separate checks so there will also be no surprises with them either.
Hey Tammi,
One place that comes to mind is TGIFriday's. The one I am speaking of is the 2 story one on International Drive off of Sandlake Rd. They have a seperate party rooom that you can reserve and as far as the invites go you can say something like "you can check the menu & prices ____@____.com" or something like that. hope it helps. I've been to a few parties there and the service is great and the food is even better. Also don't forget to tell the resturant staff that there will be seperate checks, that way they are prepared for it as well.
Hope it all works out.
G.
This is a tricky one. I am a wedding coordinator and often have to assist with the wording of wedding invitations. I think the best way to handle this would be to invite everyone to join your mother for lunch to celebrate her birthday. If possible, you could pick up the tab for appetizers and/or dessert and say in the invitation that those courses will be taken care of.
Have a wonderful celebration!
