Traditional doesn't have to mean expensive. Whether you plan to spend Rs.2000 or Rs.200, 000, creative options can be more impressive than the most expensive ones; you can serve a memorable dinner without selling the farm.

1. Finalize the number of guests. The average cost per person for a sit-down dinner is Rs.150-200.

2. Decide on an appropriate location for your reception - your decision may affect everything from the type of food you serve to the type of entertainment you provide. Be sure to research different locales and costs.

3. Plan what you would like to serve for dinner. Consider every dish, from breadsticks to coffee. Break down the cost of each item you'll serve.

4. Choose the type of service to be provided during dinner.

5. Determine the length of the reception dinner - longer parties mean more courses, which, in turn, add up to bigger costs.

6. Calculate the costs for table decorations.

7. Bring out the waiters - the size of the wait staff depends on the formality of the dinner, ranging from one waiter for every 25 guests at a simple meal to two waiters per 10 guests at a formal dinner. The idea is to have a good waiter-to-guest ratio so that your guests to don't have to flag down the help.

Tips:

• Cut corners where needed after you make your calculations. You can substitute less-expensive options into your menu: chicken or pasta is a less pricey alternative to fish; mini shrimp toasts easily substitute for whole cocktail shrimp. Also consider cutting the guest list - an intimate, but substantial, dinner makes for a much more pleasant evening than skimpy meals served to a large crowd.
• Consider cutting down on courses. For instance, you can skip the appetizer by foregoing the soup and starting with the salad instead.
• Leave the wine on the table - people are less likely to over serve themselves.

Warnings:

Be sure to include taxes, service charges and gratuities when calculating your budget - these can add up to 25 percent or more of the total cost.