Discussions

My fiancé and I are considering eloping or having a small intimate wedding with close family and friends. We are looking for a private dining room to rent out in Winnipeg and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Guests would pay their own meal in lieu of gifts, as we don’t want anything. Just want to share our special (but small) day with people we love but are on a tight budget to do so. So far I’ve got one quote for a dining room (meals not i:ncluded) for $900.00 for up to 30 people and I feel like I could just cater for that price. Any suggestions appreciated.

Eloping is not having a small get together.  
 
Having guests pay for their meals is awful. Of course they would feel like they had to bring a gift too. If I could not afford to pay for my guests meals, I would be reconsidering my options.  
 
I would not even consider going if I had to pay for my meal, nor would I consider inviting anyone and telling them they have to pay for their meal.  
 
Eloping is what I did. Two witnesses, someone to marry us and we took them out for supper after.

If you want your guests to pay for their own meals in lieu of gifts, why not just go to a nice restaurant, like Hy’s steakhouse or Earl’s?

Well, good thing you’re not my family then we have discussed options with our family.. we have discussed eloping too but all of our family would like to celebrate with us and be apart of it, even if it’s something small. We’ve been together for years, have children, a home etc, so we don’t really need anything.. thank you for your opinion though. And thank you for the suggestions I asked for.

She said eloping OR having a small get together not that the get together was eloping. If she can’t afford to pay for their meals then her closest family and friends would probably already know that about them and if they didn’t want to come because of that then that would be there choice. There’s no need to be so rude to people about their personal decisions on what they want to do for their wedding. She was asking for an opinion on places not a negative view on what she is considering doing. Why can’t people be kind. Not sure where there is a good place to rent out but I hope your day is special and beautiful no matter if you elope or have a small get together

Also nobody would stand with us or anything. If you think of standing in a wedding, how much you paid for dress, shoes, helping with a social, travel, gift etc etc it goes on. I’d rather much attend a wedding, pay a small fee for a meal and that’s that.

It’s ok! I expected some backlash. But opinions from the peanut gallery don’t matter my family is supportive of it!

We had a wonderful wedding dinner at Maxine’s restaurant in Winnipeg for my nephews wedding. I don’t think they charged for the room,  
The food and service was Excellent! There are gluten free options for Celiacs.  
It was a beautiful setting.  
They are on St.Marys Road in Winnipeg.  
Congratulations,

We had twelve people at our wedding and just booked a table at Red Lobster. Lol ...It was just lovely. Canad Inns could work for you, they all have private dining rooms.  
Good luck and congratulations

I like your idea. I think your family would be happy to pay for a meal to celebrate your day! I think begging for prizes for a social or making parents pay a huge bill is tackier! I like that you are planning an event within your means and not living in debt for one big event! I have been to a few hotel weddings in Winnipeg but often as soon as you say wedding, you pay more. I would look for a smaller restaurant and book a table in the main area.  
Weddings should be about the couple not about party favours and barnboad decor!

Brenda.. said "Eloping is not having a small get together.     Having guests pay for their meals is awful. Of course they would feel like they had to bring a gift too. If I could not afford to pay for my guests meals, I would be reconsidering my options.     I would not even consider going if I had to pay for my meal, nor would I consider inviting anyone and telling them they have to pay for their meal.     Eloping is what I did. Two witnesses, someone to marry us and we took them out for supper after. "

No right or wrong in this case. Other than what you said. You need to reconsider your options, is my opinion.

I think this is a great idea! Never heard of it but why not! Weddings are so expensive now a days and add up quite quickly. At the end of the day, the most important thing is being surrounded by the ones you love . I second Maxine’s in wpg, great location.  
I also want to add that those who shamed you (Brenda) obviously can’t see past the “traditional” wedding, and get their jollies out of being rude to people on Ebrandon. But times are changing, and there is Nothing wrong with asking those you love to pay for a meal. I think they would have spent much more anyways on a gift etc.

Amaxinlin said "My fiancé and I are considering eloping or having a small intimate wedding with close family and friends. We are looking for a private dining room to rent out in Winnipeg and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Guests would pay their own meal in lieu of gifts, as we don’t want anything. Just want to share our special (but small) day with people we love but are on a tight budget to do so. So far I’ve got one quote for a dining room (meals not i:ncluded) for $900.00 for up to 30 people and I feel like I could just cater for that price. Any suggestions appreciated. "

Another option would be to use a community hall or your own home and host a potluck meal. You could just provide the main part of the meal and have everyone else bring their favourite side, salad, dessert for example.  
I have also seen people just host a dessert bar after the ceremony as well. You could either do potluck dessert bar or places like Sobeys can make dessert trays for very reasonable prices.  
There are quite a few good options for people on a really tight budget.

Counsellor said "We had a wonderful wedding dinner at Maxine’s restaurant in Winnipeg for my nephews wedding. I don’t think they charged for the room,   The food and service was Excellent! There are gluten free options for Celiacs.   It was a beautiful setting.   They are on St.Marys Road in Winnipeg.   Congratulations, "

you must have meant Maximes not Maxines.

Resto gare in Winnipeg hosts small weddings/functions often. I suggest looking at their website. I think this is a great idea personally as weddings can get really out of hand and end up not being about what they’re supposed to be about.

It is a small gourmet Latino restaurant on Wellington and Erin. You need a reservation. Just make reservations for 30. It doesn’t hold much more than that. Five course meal that is fabulous. Owner And chef is Columbian Best Argentine steak ever. Very authentic. Cost is under 50 per person plus drinks.  
 
Enjoy your special day.  
 
Edited by valhallaman, 2018-10-10 20:55:18