Paying For Kids At The Reception

My reception hall, Westbury Manor, just told me that kids 4-10 who need to eat at the reception table will be charged half price.

And they can eat what the adults eat or eat the stuff on the kid's menu.

I have 6 kids from 3-7 at the wedding.

Most of the kids come from family and they don't know that if their kids eat, even a bite of chicken finger it's going to cost me 50 bucks. Should I tell them, or just suck it up and pay for the 6 kids, even though they will probably be stuffed eating during the cocktail hour and won't eat much at the reception?

Anyone have the same dilemma? :(

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Posted by eden

My reception hall, Westbury Manor, just told me that kids 4-10 who need to eat at the reception table will be charged half price.

And they can eat what the adults eat or eat the stuff on the kid's menu.

I have 6 kids from 3-7 at the wedding.

Most of the kids come from family and they don't know that if their kids eat, even a bite of chicken finger it's going to cost me 50 bucks. Should I tell them, or just suck it up and pay for the 6 kids, even though they will probably be stuffed eating during the cocktail hour and won't eat much at the reception?

Anyone have the same dilemma? :(

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Don't get me started about this topic

honestly, we did not pay for the type of kids you are talking about...they would have been half price too-but thats a lot of money for the kids to not eat anything ...or barely anything-so we had about 4 kids we just didnt pay for and thank goodness cause their parents said they didnt eat

did you tell the parents about your dilemma? or do they know about it, that's why they didn't order?

i just had to ask 'cus my family are used to chinese banquet style dining so they don't know i would have to pay half price for kids!

Ok, well i woudln't pay for teh 3 year old but i'd probably pay for the 7 year old. Maybe just pay for 4 out of the 6. The little ones who will just be running around and not actually sitting dont pay for them to have a seat at the table.

ok, so would it be rude if I tell the parents that i wont be asking the hall to put down a place setting for the younger kids but if the parents know the kids will eat, then the parents should ask the matire d' to add a place setting?

i just don't want to sound cheap but i really honestly do NOT want to pay in advance knowing the kids might NOT eat, especially if the cocktail hour is just an hour before the dinner.

perhaps I should just not say anything and if the parents ask me, i can tell them on the wedding day why their 4 yo don't have a place setting?

urgh, this is tough!

i know this is a quite suuucky part of the wedding---but unfortunately...if you are inviting the parents with their children...you really shouldn't mention it to them about the cost of their kids. it will just make them feel terrible. i hate to say it; but this may just be a case of suucking it up.

it is a lot to pay for the small children, but it's the idea that the child is there enjoying the hall with the rest of your guests...and you are paying for that too. it is a total and complete rip-off, what can ya do?

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Posted by eden

ok, so would it be rude if I tell the parents that i wont be asking the hall to put down a place setting for the younger kids but if the parents know the kids will eat, then the parents should ask the matire d' to add a place setting?

i just don't want to sound cheap but i really honestly do NOT want to pay in advance knowing the kids might NOT eat, especially if the cocktail hour is just an hour before the dinner.

perhaps I should just not say anything and if the parents ask me, i can tell them on the wedding day why their 4 yo don't have a place setting?

urgh, this is tough!

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I wouldn't say anything but I would give less numbers for kids if possible?

I automatically thought they would charge us for the kids whether they ate or not. Are you saying that it is likely that if they dont have a place setting we wouldnt have to pay for them. Because I have no problem telling the parents to have to children eat durring cocktail hour? - I know they wont eat at all.

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Posted by mnducc

I automatically thought they would charge us for the kids whether they ate or not. Are you saying that it is likely that if they dont have a place setting we wouldnt have to pay for them. Because I have no problem telling the parents to have to children eat durring cocktail hour? - I know they wont eat at all.

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That's what I thought too. I have 4 kids 4- 10 yrs old. I know my 10yr old niece will eat...but the rest....I don't think so. Perhaps I can get away with it that way.

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Posted by mnducc

I automatically thought they would charge us for the kids whether they ate or not. Are you saying that it is likely that if they dont have a place setting we wouldnt have to pay for them. Because I have no problem telling the parents to have to children eat durring cocktail hour? - I know they wont eat at all.

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yes, you may wanna check with your hall, but as far as i know, the bm manager told us that you only pay for the kids who will eat/have a place setting.

so that's why i find this such a dilemma, alot of parents don't know that you have to pay half price for kids just nibbling on chicken fingers. :P

that's anywhere from $50-100 for one bite of chicken fingers! gets me mad when i think about it. my relatives don't know this so they will probably order anyway thinking i've already paid for it. :P

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Posted by happygirl07

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Posted by mnducc

I automatically thought they would charge us for the kids whether they ate or not. Are you saying that it is likely that if they dont have a place setting we wouldnt have to pay for them. Because I have no problem telling the parents to have to children eat durring cocktail hour? - I know they wont eat at all.

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That's what I thought too. I have 4 kids 4- 10 yrs old. I know my 10yr old niece will eat...but the rest....I don't think so. Perhaps I can get away with it that way.

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If you give your hall a guest count minus the kids you know won't eat, you don' t have to pay for them, unless their parents request a place setting..

what i wanna know is how do you tell the parents w/o coming across as a cheap *** or making them feel terrible about ordering.

Ya im in the same boat .. & we will be having alot of kids...

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Posted by BJandDan

We paid for the kids for chicken fingers. it was 1/3 off the adult price. I was quite ready to say to any sibling that complained that their kid was eating chicken fingers that they barely eat the adult food at their own house!

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Was it 1/3? WM told me it's 1/2 the cost for kids regardless of whether they order chicken fingers or the adult meal.

I dont get that. 1/2 the adult price is still alot of moolah esp. if you are paying $125-150 per plate of chicken fingers before taxes and tips!! :P

Our wedding was 86 days ago plus, we booked over a year ago now. I'm sure things have changed. Don't they offer the chocolate fountain for free now?