To think this is alot of money for an afternoon tea?

[Mummyof287]

A Hen do is being planned for next year for a close friend (I am one of the bridesmaids, but another whom I don't know is planning the hen party)
I'm very honoured to be her bridesmaid, and obviously i'm going to attend but can only go for the afternoon tea daytime part (Some are staying overnight, which the organiser said would be paying a higher price but not sure how she has worked it all out)

I am just abit shocked at the price of the afternoon tea, which she has said will be £40- then they are splitting the cost of the Bride (which I am MORE than happy to contribute towards) which brings the total p/p for day guests to £60.
Tbh i was expecting the cost to be about £25 max (then the contribution for the bride on top)
The going rate around here is £15-20/head for afternoon tea, or £25ish at the poshest venues I guess.
I mean its £45 p/p at The Ritz in central london! :-/

AIBU to be thinking of asking the organiser where the place is and ringing to confirm the cost is correct?
Money is tight, and whilst I want to be there for my lovely friend, pay my way and contribute to her having a wonderful hen do, I don't want to be paying towards everyone else.

You've all just reminded me that I need to book afternoon tea at Claridge's for my mother in law. Luckily she's not a drinker based on these prices!

I voted YABU because
£15-20 is definitely the going rate in my area....£25-30 tops for somewhere posh in the city.
Because the event is not in your area and a £20 tea for a hen do would probably be lackluster. You can't compare that to a luxury tea with champagne in a historic grand venue.

I know that a historic hotel like the Ritz or the Waldorf (if they are looking for something a bit special) is much much more than this, particularly if they go for the luxury tea including prosecco or champagne which again is quite likely. It doesn't sound like an artificially inflated price for those places. Given the choice, of course, the Bride would want to have this in a grand venue. If you all went out to dinner at a more ordinary venue with cocktails etc you could end up spending the same or more.

However, having read the update of your own experience, I think you are right to find out the venue and look it up for your own peace of mind.

But be diplomatic and very sure of your facts before you query or mention it to the bride. Contact the organiser directly if you know there is a significant discrepancy in case there are extras that she's organised as part of the event which she's included in the cost. Its hard organising things that people will want to go to, and keeping everyone happy. You don't know for sure that she is ripping you all off eg Is she aware you are only going to the day event? Perhaps she thinks everyone is going to the whole thing.

Also consider how much you are "saving" by doing this and whether the effect on people's feelings and perhaps how they view you trying to save money on your bridal contribution is worth the potentially low rebate.

Bog standard price.

YABU

That's fairly standard afternoon tea pricing, if it includes a glass of alcohol

She said they are splitting the cost of the whole hen for the bride, so brides hotel, afternoon tea etc, which is why it’s 20 each for multiple people. I’m assuming the hotel is expensive based on the afternoon tea prices.

Anywhere posh in London is upwards of £60++.

I often wonder why people are so reluctant to ask an organiser of an event for a breakdown of costs, it can't be so difficult!

I've often wondered why a savoury selection is often referred to as being for the gentlemen too! Place in Holt, Norfolk, used to do a High Tea, which was afternoon tea plus sausage roll, quiche and something I can't remember. Set you up for the evening and following day!

So the Ritz definitely isnt £45. That is for the Children's Tea! Its nearer £70 plus if you want a glass of champage that will probably add another £20 on (each!).

Its always been circa this over the last few years. Whether you think that is too expensive is another matter but I tried to book Claridges for my DM a few months ago and couldnt get a booking for weeks and weeks.

Someone is paying these amounts and with the dollar being so strong for the Americans do not be surprised if it's full of our friends from the US if you decide to go!

If I was the hen I wouldnt want a hen do that included scotch eggs and sausage rolls.

Anyone know how much it is for afternoon tea at The Ritz? 😂

I’ve seen some beautiful ones. But it is also the trend right now so less than brilliant are over charging.
there’s a few food blogs I follow who have been to some sensational looking ones which I can imagine are twice that!
you do need to let go of what happened to you though op.it’s just going to ruin the whole thing for you when you should be in the moment with everyone else.

Yes, i was curious about that too

@WeAllHaveWings because, to be honest, that comes across as penny-pinching at best and that you're accusing the organiser of stealing at worst. Wouldn't be the best way to start a hen do 😐

Afternoon tea always is expensive, that sounds about right to me!
I'd expect to pay around that - was thinking between 30 and 40 quid before seeing your answer 🙂
I'm not down south either, I'm Oop North.
No way will tea at the Ritz be 40 pounds, it'll be way more than that I'd have thought

@tenbob I didn’t know that! Will have a search 👍🏼

Sounds about right to me too. Also some places give Hen Parties their own dining room and charge extra for that.

Afternoon tea at the Ritz is 67£ without alcohol and 89/92/94£ with one glass of champagne (depending on the kind of champagne). Every additional glass is 22/25/27£.

No way will tea at the Ritz be 40 pounds, it'll be way more than that I'd have thought

TOP TIP: The answer is in the thread multiple times

There are a few places that do savoury afternoon teas with scotch eggs and sausage rolls but they are bizarrely known as ‘gentleman’s tea’*
Ohhh that irrationally winds me up! 😁
Why is it called gentlemen's tea, do they think all the ladies only like petite scones and pretty cakes, and the men can't possibly like something so girly and have to have I'm A Man meat and egg balls and sausage rolls?! 😂
I'd love a gentleman's tea, hope they don't police who can have one lol
Anyways I digress, sorry for the rest which is a whole new thread I suppose, so as you all were......
😁

I paid £10.95 for a tiny panini the other day. Shocking!

The bride is staying overnight as are other members of the party. The cost of the bride's afternoon tea plus overnight stay etc is being split between all her friends at the event (whether they're just going for the day or staying overnight themselves). This comes to £20 a head and the OP is absolutely fine with this cost.

Honestly, it sounds right to me - afternoon tea in my favourite place with a glass of bubbly is now 60 pounds!

It will be more, don't forget service charge.

Never is it £45 at the Ritz

Afternoon tea is a waste of
Money. Who wants sandwiches and cake at a hen do

Wouldnt catch blokes spendings money on that old shit