Vesti Baku
The price of a wedding menu does not always include music, hall decorations or video services.
That means a reception for 100 guests at 100 manats per person can cost substantially more than the initial 10,000-manat calculation.
Participants in a report on wedding and banquet costs explained which expenses families should clarify before booking a restaurant and why comparing venues only by menu price can be misleading, Vesti Baku reports.
Music and Decorations Cost Extra
Restaurant manager Anar Ahmedov said menus at his venue range from 100 to 200 manats per person. Filming, music and decorations are not included and can be ordered for an additional charge.
At the official rate of 1.7 manats to the U.S. dollar, the menu alone for 100 guests would cost:
- 10,000 manats ($5,882) at 100 manats per person;
- 15,000 manats ($8,824) at 150 manats per person;
- 20,000 manats ($11,765) at 200 manats per person.
The conversion uses the Central Bank of Azerbaijan’s official exchange rate in effect for the weekend.
Organizers must then add the services they select. The final amount depends on the scale of the decorations, the evening’s entertainment program and the performers hired.
Restaurant assistant director Murad Aliyev said customers’ preferences can have a major effect on the budget. Booking a more expensive singer or a well-known DJ increases the final bill.
Compare the Full Cost of the Reception
Marketing specialist Sabit Mammadov said the initial price is important when choosing a venue, but families should calculate the cost of the full package before reaching an agreement.
A 100-manat menu with separate charges for music, decorations and filming may be less economical than a more expensive package that already includes those services. Customers therefore need to establish exactly what they receive for the advertised price.
What to Agree Before Booking
Mammadov recommended recording the menu and payment terms in writing, particularly when a restaurant is booked several months before the event.
Before paying a deposit, customers should agree on:
- the dishes and drinks included in the menu;
- the services included in the per-guest price;
- the cost of any additional music, filming and decorations;
- the total order price, deposit amount and terms for the final payment.
A written agreement allows a family to establish the budget for a wedding, engagement party or birthday in advance and gives the restaurant a clear list of its obligations.
Vesti Baku