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12-10-2012 at 11:54 AM
nomadgirl
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Evening dinner shower?

My parents have offered to throw a co-ed baby shower for me and my husband.  We talked about dates and times with them this weekend and we all mutually agreed that it would be best to do the shower on a Saturday evening so that people coming from out of town can fly in on Saturday morning.  Originally, we were talking about doing it at my house but the guest list looks like it's going to be around 40-45 people which we can't easily fit at my place, so my parents would like to do an evening dinner at a restaurant.  It wouldn't be the normal baby shower because it would start around 5 or 6 and just mainly be focused on everyone getting together and chatting with appetizers and drinks and then dinner around 6:30.  Is this too weird for a baby shower?  I guess it would end up being more of a party --- which is what we prefer --- but I wanted to find out what y'all think.
 
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12-10-2012 at 12:14 PM
mwise913
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I think it sounds awesome and fun! It's great that your husband gets to be involved with it this way. Sounds like you'll have a great time. Party!!!
 
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12-10-2012 at 12:14 PM
daisy662
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Sounds like fun! Go for it!
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12-10-2012 at 12:41 PM
RoxyLynn
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It sounds fun, but are you sure people would really book a flight for a baby shower?  That seems pretty over the top to me.

Regardless, if your parents are willing to pay for restaurant meals for 60 people, go for it.
I think it can be done well, and I would have loved it, but taking all of the crappy parts of school away from a kid isn't good for them in the long run.

There are lessons like "Not everyone likes you" and "Some people are douche bags" that you don't learn without socializing in a large group of poorly supervised children.
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12-10-2012 at 12:53 PM
ggatlanta
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Definitely acceptable, and a great idea if you can swing it.

The reason we don't see it done as often (in some areas) is the cost: at 40 guests, the cost starts around $1000ish for affordable without alcohol. (At $15/plate, plus any room costs, plus gratuity, plus tax wherever you are... It really adds up.)

I've organized lots of parties at restaurants, and my rule of thumb is to add 20% to whatever number they give you (unless it's a package deal and the price is guaranteed). Remember you are adding 20% to the final price - that's on top of the 20% gratuity you should certainly include with a group this size. (Most likely a required gratuity will be listed in any room-rental agreement you sign, but if it's less than 20% you really ought to consider including the rest - waiters work hard for big parties.)

Whatever you do, do NOT allow guests free reign of the menu, even if the restaurant permits it. Every order will come out wrong, and the cost will be almost as great as the amount of time it will take your food to arrive. Most places will offer an abbreviated menu or a buffet option instead.

Be prepared to be frustrated by paying for meals for guests who never show up despite their RSVP, or by the lack of RSVPs in the first place. If cost is no object, neither of these should bother you too much, but for the rest of the world, trouble with RSVPs makes restaurant parties an even bigger challenge...

Good luck! Enjoy! 

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12-10-2012 at 12:58 PM
EastCoastB...
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I love the idea.  But I also kind of ditto roxy and ggatlanta.  To me, showers are for your closer friends and family.  not "everyone you know", and in turn, usually out of town people aren't invited (unless truly CLOSE to you) and/or they often aren't going to travel for a shower. 

And the expense - it could get pricey.  Can your parents comfortably afford that?  I'll say this too- a shower, in it's true form, is meant to help the new parents get started w/ everything they need for a baby.  It seems almost silly to spend so much money to FEED people when that money could be used for the initial purpose - to get set up for a new baby. 

Also, keep in mind that as it's a shower, people may still expect to see their gift opened.  How will that work out at a restaurant and in the atmosphere of a "party"?

Again- I like the idea.  Just putting out some other aspects to think about.

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12-10-2012 at 1:24 PM
rhubarb123
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EastCoastBride:

I love the idea.  But I also kind of ditto roxy and ggatlanta.  To me, showers are for your closer friends and family.  not "everyone you know", and in turn, usually out of town people aren't invited (unless truly CLOSE to you) and/or they often aren't going to travel for a shower. 

And the expense - it could get pricey.  Can your parents comfortably afford that?  I'll say this too- a shower, in it's true form, is meant to help the new parents get started w/ everything they need for a baby.  It seems almost silly to spend so much money to FEED people when that money could be used for the initial purpose - to get set up for a new baby. 

Also, keep in mind that as it's a shower, people may still expect to see their gift opened.  How will that work out at a restaurant and in the atmosphere of a "party"?

Again- I like the idea.  Just putting out some other aspects to think about.

Agree 100%
 
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12-10-2012 at 2:15 PM
nomadgirl
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These are all very good thoughts.  My parents aren't worried about the cost even though I told them that I think it's a bit pricey.  They recently spent about the same throwing a post-wedding party for my brother and sister-in-law so I think they're fine with the costs of renting a space.  But, the thought of tips is a really good one --- I hadn't thought about tipping when you rent a private dining room.

The reason we have so many out-of-town guests is that my extended family is super close.  I have about 10-15 aunts, uncles, and cousins who will absolutely want to be there because we're all very very close.  We all made the trip up there for a recent baby shower/baby meet and greet and they feel strongly about doing the same for us.  Also, because it's co-ed, that's doubling the number of folks.  When we wrote out the list the other day, it looks like invitations will be sent to 65 people but, of those, probably only 40 will attend and 10-15 will be out of town family.  The rest will be in town folks.

EastCoastBride, I agree - I think we'll have to open presents so I'll have to talk to my folks about how they want to do that in the most logical manner possible.  We might do something like appetizers and drinks and then open presents and then dinner, so if folks don't want to pay attention they don't have to, but if they want to, they can.
 
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12-10-2012 at 2:19 PM
nomadgirl
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Also, ggatlanta, are you based in Atlanta?  The baby shower would be held in Atlanta, as well, so I'd love thoughts on restaurant venues.  The two that I know of are Carpe Diem in Decatur and Eclipse di Luna in Atlanta.  I know that both of them will do food and drinks for around $30/head.  If you're from Atlanta, I'd love to hear other thoughts!
 
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12-10-2012 at 3:27 PM
Liz4444
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Almost every shower I have been to, my bridal shower included, have been in restaurants. If you tell them you are using the space for a shower, they will set up a present opening area for you. I would suggest a set menu or buffet because everyone ordering, even if it's a pared down menu, will take a very long time.
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12-10-2012 at 4:07 PM
RoxyLynn
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Gordon Biersch in Buckhead is close to MARTA for anyone flying in, and they usually do a nice job.
I think it can be done well, and I would have loved it, but taking all of the crappy parts of school away from a kid isn't good for them in the long run.

There are lessons like "Not everyone likes you" and "Some people are douche bags" that you don't learn without socializing in a large group of poorly supervised children.
Uncanny Canuck's thoughts on homeschooling 
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12-11-2012 at 9:02 AM
BLPL101
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I think it sounds nice.
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12-11-2012 at 10:00 AM
ggatlanta
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Oh fun! Yes, I grew up here, and I do love a party...

Re: your ideas, I have done a party Eclipse di Luna before, and it was a good experience, but I remember it getting pretty crowded on the way in and out on a Saturday night. Trouble parking, etc - but that was about 7 years ago, so they may have changed things around or added valet or something by now? Never done one at Carpe Diem but their food is good, and I do like Decatur in general.

In what part of town do you / most of your guests live?

For a dinner party, I like:

In Buckhead:

The Swan Coach House - did a baby shower there this year, but it might be more of a daytime party place...?

Prime at Lenox has a nice room in the back - but I'm not sure on $30 a head, and it might be too small

McKinnon's Lousiane - incredible service, but again, not sure on $30 a head, this area gets expensive

Seasons 52 - never been to a party there, but my mother eats there all the time and loves it

In Decatur: 

Leon's Full Service

Parker's on Ponce

Cafe Lily

In Midtown:

Livingston's

Top Flr

Ecco 

Einstein's

I am guessing on price range on some of these off the top of my head. If you give me some info about what kind of food / atmosphere I might have better suggestions! 

 

 

 
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