Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

One of the places I looked at, and loved, quoted me a price of $65 pp for a Sunday afternoon. I decided to call them and find out if they would be willing to negotiate with me and work within my budget. So I was very honest about what my budget is (and practically got laughed at), but was told that they would look at my quote and call me back. Now, the person I saw originally wasn't there, so I was dealing with someone else on the phone. He calls me back and tells me that he doesn't understand how I was quoted $65 pp for a Sunday afternoon in October when their normal rate is $75 pp and that I got a very good quote and should be thrilled with it. I told him that I know it was a good price and that I understood that my budget was tight, but wanted to know what, if anything, they could do in order to sell me on them, and he again told me that I was quoted an exceptional price and he still didn't understand how I was given that quote in the first place. He said that perhaps if it was in the off season, I could get a better deal. I asked what the off season was and he said Jan - March. When I asked what the price pp was for those months, he told me $65 pp. Huh??? He's trying to tell me that the quote I got for an October affair is the same as the quote I would get for a February affair? Somehow, I don't buy it. It seems a little fishy to me, especially after he said that their prices are lower in the off season. It's unfortunate that they couldn't go any lower (I know, $65 pp is not a bad rate), because I really loved the place.

I'm thinking of calling and asking what their rates are for the off season without letting them know that I've been there before, just to find out if he was being a jerk because he didn't think he was going to get a ton of money out of me. How do I handle something like that in the future when I'm asked what my budget is and I'm trying to negotiate? Do I tell them or what? I just want to book a darn place already and set a date!

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

I thought October was off season. I would call of have your FH call and inquire.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

hrmmm...
I know off season is Nov thru March.. but I got an off season quote because I am having a morning wedding..

I got a VERY rude man when I first called SMCC. James, the guy, was nice..but who ever first answered his line was really really mean to me.

*shrug*

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

October is the end of wedding season. Apparently, it's April through June, Sept. and Oct., and the Christmas season that are considered peak wedding times. July, August, and November are more popular than Jan through March, but are generally not as expensive as the other months. The things you learn in planning a wedding!!!

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

Actually October is becoming the second most requested date for weddings.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

I know, which is why I'm even more suspicious that this guy was just being a jerk. How could the quote be the same?

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

off peak is not only by month but by time.. sundays and fridays are normally cheaper than saturday.
I got saturday, but lunch time so I got a Sunday rate.. or "Off Peak"

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

Oh, I know that, but the prices are still higher in the peak months for a daytime affair than the off season months. If I could, I'd go for a Saturday afternoon, but I can't.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

I am having a sunday night wedding in november, and when I booked the Swanclub, they told me that october is very popular... we ended up setting a date in november because we saved 10 per person. But that whole story about the phone call and quotes is very strange. I would not feel comfortable booking at a place that was weird like that.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

October is actually becoming the most popular month to get married. When I was looking at halls, October prices were $8.00 or so per person more than November, which is why we chose the first weekend in November instead of an October date.
$65 is a good price for most LI halls. Jan-Feb-March is the least expensive months to get married-that is correct.

Honestly, if you cannot afford this place then walk away. Try other places. Or move some money around from other areas such as buy a less expensive favor, or cut your floral budget by a bit, perhaps cut your guest list down or tell parents that they cannot invite friends unless they pay the per person charges- that is what I did and it worked out fine. You can also have a Friday wedding or other day of the week to lessen the costs.
Also, make sure you add ALL the tax and service charges before making a decision- those add up really quickly.
I know Holbrook Country Club is very reasonable and one girl on here saved a lot of money by switching her reception to that location.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

From what I heard when looking was that October was an expensive time too!! I would have a friend call and inquire just to be sure you are getting the correct story. Teh place I booked is a friday night january wedding, so we got a great price. The difference alone in our priceis 20 per person to have it on a friday rather than saturday, same menu. And I forget how much percentage off we got because it is January..but it wsa a significant amount. If you are on a tight budget like we are, definately check into other options..there are alot out there.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

Look for another place, they sound sneaky.

You can do better with someone else

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

I think you should continue shopping, explain to them your situation and budget. Also what days are you looking for Saturday or Sunday night. I hear the Huntington Townhouse has some good deals and my friend who is getting married there next month got an awesome deal but she negotiated with them numerous times. Good luck to you.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

Maybe I should clarify - I have already excluded this venue as an option based on the phone conversation I had. I was simply in awe of the fact that the person I spoke with gave me the same price in the off season as he did for October, which I already know is very popular. That's where my surprise came from. It just seemed odd to me that he would mention the off season and then quote me the same price as prime season.

As for the other suggestions, thanks. My guest list is cut as much as it can possibly be and is still around 175 (we're hoping for a turnout of 125-150), we cannot ask our families to pay for their guests considering that the only people who are being invited are those that FH and I know and would want there as well, and we cannot get married on a Friday or Saturday (Sat. night would be OK but much too expensive).

Again, I just thought the whole conversation seemed very odd.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

I was told at one place that "May and June" has the most weddings and are the most $$. I thought Oct was off season, but since the weather is the same as May and June more brides are booking Sept and Oct dates. So these dates are running higher!

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

Just re: Oct weddings...my first wedding was in Oct. & most places were telling me Oct. is one of the hottest months due to the foliage & nice weather.

It just seems the guy was trying to prove a point stating you got such a good rate it is the equivalent of the off season...

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

Is it a reputable place? If so, they may be willing to throw in some extras for the same price.

Also, IMO, $65 is a good price.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

hmm..that is weird - sound slike the guy who told us that even though we wanted a sun night since it was a three dya weekend, we had tp pay sat prices...we left them and never turned back...good choice on keeping looking!

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

i know when i was looking for the hall i booked(manor east), saterday night in october was $68, and but for saterday night in november it was $58(10 less pp)...... we ended up booking the first weekend in november

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

That does sound fishy to me. You can do way better than that too - I got $57 pp from my hall without having to negotiate at all.

Re: Does This Sound Strange to Anyone Else?

That does sound strange, October is becoming a popular time to marry, but I also think the October thing depends on the site.

I was quoted $55/pp for our 10/12 wedding - BUT #1 its in Queens & #2 its on a Sunday night. We added a few extras that brought it up to $60/pp.

However, Leonard's charged $75 for the same evening AND added another $5/pp cuz it was Columbus Day weekend - no other site added extra $$ based on Columbus Day alone.

So it really may depend on the site and/or the banquet manager you deal with. but I'm glad to read you excluded them from your list, cuz they definitely sound shady!