Budget Considerations
Essential budget items to consider:
- Closed captioning
- ASL
- Transportation
- AV Support
- Custodial/Facilities support
- Room fees
- Event promotion
- Furniture rentals
- Florals
- Security
If you are planning food, beverages, and/or entertainment as part of your event, be sure to factor in the following costs:
- Kosher, Halal, vegan, gluten-free, etc. meals - be sure the options are equivalent to what’s offered to other guests (i.e., don’t just offer salad while everyone else is having pizza).
- If the caterer is serving, they must be certified.
- Licenses may need to be purchased dependent on the type of event. If you require a one-day liquor license (if purchasing on your own from an approved city vendor) and/or entertainment license, you may apply to the appropriate city below:
- Discuss certifications/licenses with the catering vendors you are using to determine what they already have and what you will need to obtain on your own (if any). Full service, onsite catering companies (recommended approach) will typically have all the needed certifications/licenses through their business operations. HUDS and Crimson Catering are recommended as they have all required licenses and certifications.
- If hosting an event with a cash bar and/or will have over 100 people in attendance, HUPD police detail is required. Harvard police detail can be secured here. NOTE: be sure to place a request at least two-weeks in advance.