How To Make Guests Pay for Their Own Meals at Weddings

Don't go into debt for your wedding.

You have reviewed your checking and savings accounts several times, and the numbers are still the same. You just can't afford to accommodate dinner guests at your wedding reception. Just check out your mother's copy of "Emily Post's Etiquette." The advice there will assist you in making guests covertly cover the cost of their own meal at your wedding.

Things You'll Need

• Seed money

Instructions

1. 

   Assess your guests' budgets by conducting a mental survey. In an informal survey conducted in September 2009, 10 out of 10 people stated they would contribute a monetary gift if they knew that's what the couple wanted. Fifty percent would give a $25 gift. Forty percent would give $50. Ten percent would give a gift of more than $100.

2. 

   Secure a reception location with seed money. The price range should be below the estimate of the monetary gifts you think you will receive. If you stay within a budget below the estimate, this will increase the likelihood of recouping your seed money.

   The most economical seed money sources include immediate family members and close friends. Either may be willing to extend a no-interest temporary loan, due to your receipt of monetary gifts. Other sources include a low-interest credit card, a personal loan from a bank or credit union or opening a home equity line of credit.

3. 

   Tell close friends and family you want to receive monetary gifts. Ask them to spread the word.

4. 

   Reiterate your desire to receive monetary gifts to your bridal shower host. According to Peggy Post, author of "Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette," the host can include this request enclosed in the bridal shower invitations only. Part of the seed money can be recovered this way.

5. 

   "Mail wedding invitations 6 - 8 weeks prior to the wedding date," Peggy Post writes. Some guests may give a monetary gift before the wedding. Seed money can be redeemed by this method.

Tips & Warnings

• Emily Post says you should budget for reception dinners per person. This applies to both sit-down and buffet receptions. Guests may give monetary gifts at the wedding or slightly thereafter.

• Both Emily and Peggy Post forewarn that including any type of gift request in or on a wedding invitation is considered discourteous.

References

• Emily Post's Etiquette; Elizabeth L. Post; 1992
• Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette; Peggy Post; 2006
• Bank of America

Resources

• Emily Post: Wedding Gift Tips