Christening cost

[othership]

Trying to plan LOs christening and wondering what a reasonable cost is for a christening?
We would have roughly 90 guests and this cost would include service donation, room hire, buffet inc desserts, cake, decorations, room dressing by venue, prosecco at each table, photographer, gown for lo plus bonnet and shoes, dress for me, make up, hair and nails for me, travel from Cathedral to hotel and invites.
The prices I've come to is £2500 for the day, is that reasonable?

We had 40 people back to ours for a barbecue after the normal morning mass. So whatever we spent on meat, buns and salad. Plus I made a traditional fruit cake so the ingredients for that which were probably as much as the meat for everyone!

Because we did a big thing for the baptism we didn't do anything for 1st birthday.

I've obviously been invited to the wrong christenings.

£2500 sounds a lot to me.

If you can afford it and it is the norm in your social circle to have this sort of event then go for it.

Most people however will think that is a ridiculous amount to spend on a christening. It is supposed to be about welcoming your child into the church not a "look at me look at me" type event.

My friend recently had a christening- hire of room with bar for afternoon was £400, photographer was £200, food was £1000 for 80 guests

How you celebrate is up to you but there seems a number of unnecessary things on that list.

We had a Christening party at the local nice hotel for our twins and approx 70 guests and it cost about £1200 including the cake and invitations. Our church was free as we are members.

Are you having a sit down meal? A buffet is more standard due to the number of children usually attending.

You don't need decorations or room dressing (it's not usual practice)

I've never been at a Christening that had a photographer - besides which they are unlikely to be allowed to take pictures in the church.

Why do you need a hotel? Aren't you using the parish church where your DC will attend Sunday School?

Hair make up and nails are entirely personal preference but I must say I'm a bit at professional make up for a Christening.

It's not the style of christening I've ever been to, but sounds like a lovely way to celebrate if that's the norm in your family/social circle.

Why don't you break down your budget by item and decide whether each is necessary and within an affordable overall budget.

Have we frightened off the OP or was it a wind up?

I would say I more depends on what you can afford. Its a special day for sure but it doesn't have to be expensive. It sure isn't worth stretching your pocket beyond its means or putting you under financial pressure. So if £2500 is what you can easily afford and budget for and its what you want go for it. Its your event and your cash. I live by what my grandma used to say to me, If you got the money for it have it, if you haven't you cant? But if you could do with the money for other things like other people have said you can have a reasonable one for far less. For my youngest son we had about 60 people, a generous contribution to the church and a cracking buffet (great selection and way more than enough) at the sports social club down the road for about £350ish (the buffet was about £4 per head and they gave us the room free). My experience is people are there to support your child's big day not for how grand the whole thing is. Just have the best do that your pockets can easily afford and enjoy the day.

If you can and want to afford it that's fine.

We had a church service and then 40 people back to the Church Hall and did our own buffet. Probably cost about £150 all in. My son wore my christening gown.

Oh our cake was £50 from a local cake maker who made our wedding cake.

My baptism 27 years ago had over 200 guests, photographer, videographer, open bar the hole 9 yards. My parents waited 9 years for me so it was a very big celebration, as good as any wedding! If you can afford to do it then fair play it’s a very important day.

Blimey, £2500 is a lot for a christening.
Ours was a lot more low key. He was baptised in a service with 2 others, no cost for that. Although we donate at every service we go to so don't know if that's why we weren't asked to do so.
Buffet at home. Spent probably £70 on that, as as DHs family are Catholic and came from far and wide. DS's outfit was a gift from someone who couldn't come so if we had paid for that, that would have been an extra £25 on top.
If you want to do the whole shebang of photographers and such, then do it your way, but I know a lot of people would be asking whether it was about the baby being baptised or the show.

We donated £50 to the church and then it cost about £400 to feed 40 people in the pub. DD wore a family gown and my best friend made some cupcakes. I got some nice invitations online for £25

Ours was a bit bigger than normal as we’re not married so this was our first opportunity to get the families together. I’ve never seen a christening on the scale described in the op!

Hate all these judgemental replies about the cost of christening.
That might not be normal in your boring a** lives but this is completely normal in some places and doesn’t mean you’re ‘showing off’ as some have suggested or loaded.
I have been to many christenings like this in Liverpool where it’s often an excuse for a big family get together and party. Lighten up miserable sods

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