Who Pays? What’s the Average Cost? A Comprehensive Guide to the Financial Aspects of "Introduction Meals"

2019.09.05 published

After Saying Hello for Marriage, the Next Step is "Family Meeting"＊

Once the marriage is decided and you have greeted each other's parents, the next step is to hold a "family meeting."＊

The family meeting marks the starting point for the families who will become relatives through the marriage. It's essential to prepare well and make it a pleasant and wonderful gathering.

Concerns About Money for the Family Meeting!

When you decide to hold a family meeting, the first thing that comes to mind is the money involved.

Whether you are choosing a venue or not, you need to have a budget in place, and it's also important to clarify who will be paying. I'm sure your parents are also concerned about this part...!

Therefore, this time we will discuss the two major money-related concerns for the family meeting:

☑ The budget

☑ Who will pay

Let's dive into these topics＊

Money for the Family Meeting ① What is the Budget?

The budget for a family meeting usually ranges from about 7,000 yen to 12,000 yen per person.＊

If there are six people—groom, bride, and both sets of parents—the average budget would be around 42,000 yen to 72,000 yen♩

Meals should generally be in the form of a course rather than a la carte. Look for restaurants or ryokan that can provide a course meal at a price range of 7,000 yen to 12,000 yen per person.◎

While there is usually not a lot of drinking during the family meeting, if there are family members who enjoy alcoholic beverages, it would be wise to include a budget for drinks as well.

Check the following points when selecting a venue:

☑ Location (whether it's easy for both sets of parents to get there, proximity to the station, availability of parking, etc.)

☑ Are there private rooms? (Venues commonly used for family gatherings or engagement ceremonies offer peace of mind)

☑ Are there chairs, tatami mats, or sunken tables? (If there are elderly family members, chairs would be more comfortable. If wearing a furisode or a visiting dress, chairs or sunken tables are preferable instead of tatami mats.＊)

If you already have an idea about the venue for your wedding, you might consider the restaurant or ryokan at that wedding venue for the family meeting too.◎

Choosing the venue for the family meeting is critical! Meeting everyone comfortably and pleasantly while keeping the budget in mind should be your goal.＊

It's reassuring if you can do a venue inspection♩

Money for the Family Meeting ② Who Will Pay?

The family meeting typically costs around 50,000 yen. It can be confusing to determine who will pay.

Recently, couples have a strong awareness of "We will take care of our own matters!" and tend to pay for both the engagement and wedding expenses themselves.＊

Generally, it's best to have the mindset of covering the costs yourselves! If your parents offer to pay, it might be okay to accept it in that case♩

《For Brides from Distant Locations》

As discussed earlier, it’s advisable for the bride and groom to cover the family meeting costs. However…

If the bride and groom's homes are far apart, one of the families may need to travel more.

For instance, if the groom’s parents are in Osaka and the bride’s parents are in Tokyo. It would be equitable if the family meeting takes place in Tokyo, with the transportation costs covered by the groom’s side and the meal costs covered by the bride’s side.◎

When paying, it’s best to inform the restaurant staff beforehand that "We’ll be paying ourselves."

A smart way is for the groom to pretend to go to the restroom and settle the bill during that time.＊

Alternatively, when taking the final commemorative photograph, you can call over the staff to settle the payment as well.

Either way, it’s important to clearly communicate to both parents who will be covering the costs and who will be paying the restaurant before the payment is made.♩

Have Your Concerns About Money for the Family Meeting Been Resolved?

We have discussed the financial aspects related to the family meeting＊ Did this clear up your concerns?

☑ Budget is approximately 7,000 yen to 12,000 yen per person

☑ Payments are often made by the bride and groom

As long as you keep these two points in mind, you should feel at ease♡

At Marry, we sell 【mask cases】 for handing out on the day of the family meeting or wedding.

Since masks will be removed during the meal, having special mask cases prepared makes for a considerate touch.

✅ It's not paper and can be used multiple times (made from polypropylene)

✅ It’s designed to inhibit bacterial growth, so you can hand it out with peace of mind

(It has obtained the SIAA mark from the Antibacterial Products Technology Council!)

✅ Since it’s not handmade, the recipients won’t have hygiene concerns

✅ It's a three-fold envelope type

This is a key feature.

We aimed to create a hygienic, visually pleasing mask case that is "convenient and appreciated! Thoughtful yet stylish♩"

Please use it during the family meeting♡

The family meeting is the first step toward your marriage. Make thorough preparations and enjoy a delightful gathering for both families♩

➡️ Here is the product page＊＊＊＊