Budgeting a Montreal wedding: what really moves the number
Food, bar, service charges, minimum spends: the lines that weigh the most, and the traps to know before you sign.
Two weddings of the same size can have very different budgets. The date, the venue, the guest count and a handful of specific choices make almost all the difference. Here is what we see when negotiating with Montreal venues.
Food and bar: the heart of the budget
Food and drinks are the largest share of the bill. A cocktail dinner, a three-course meal and a buffet carry very different weight, and the bar format (bubbles for the toast, open bar, coupons) changes the equation again.
The trap: service charges
Almost every hotel and restaurant adds 18% to 20.5% in service charges, which are taxed too. The menu price is never the real price. That is why our estimates always include an approximation of tax and service.
Minimum spends
Many venues do not charge for the room but require a minimum spend on food and drinks. Fall short and you pay the difference. Negotiated well, it is a great deal. Misunderstood, it is a nasty surprise.
The date matters as much as the venue
A Saturday in June and a Friday in October, in the same room, are negotiated very differently. If your date is flexible, tell us: it is often the simplest lever.
Bottom line
Guest count, meal format, bar and date drive most of the budget. Plan your event in two minutes: we send you a personal estimate within 24 hours.