How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

OK here goes! We have been looking for a place to hold the engagement party now for 3 months. Given I am still trying to finalize a place for my wedding along with a band. Well FI and I wanted something not extravagent, you know simple NOT another wedding. We were looking at restaurants primarily, but either they were too small for our 70 guests, did not offer enough food for the price, or were too expensive. We are paying for our own wedding except for my dress and I didn't want my mom to spend a lot of $$$ on an engagement party. Well I guess my mom and dad were so tired of hearing people , especially FH's mom ask when we were finally going to have the engegment party (we have been engaged since Dec) that my parents just went out and booked Russo's on the Bay! I am really annoyed, because I didn't want them to spend that kind of $$$ to begin with and second I feel like now it will be too fancy and like another wedding. How do I simplify this? I do love my parents for being generous, but I don't want this to go overboard and be gaudy. I am also thinking that I may need a DJ because there is a dance floor. Is there anyway I can do this simple? Thank you

Re: How do I make this more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

whats done is done, i would say get a dj(dont need an MC) and you can get one for $500 or less

Re: How do I make this more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

wow...
that's a tough one.

I wish I had any suggestions.. Good luck and hang in there!

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

Ok Don't panic... I am having my engagement party at Russo's also. We are having a brunch.. which will be simple and romantic. We are not hiring a DJ or a Band. We hired a harpist for the first couple of hours of the affair. My fiance loves Russo's. As for me, it's a little overboard. But, when we looked at, I was taken back a bit. We are having it in the Florentine room, which is one of the smaller rooms. And, since it is a brunch, it will not be like a wedding. Maybe your parent's can discuss having a brunch instead.
Good luck!

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

I totally agree with how you feel. I also would not want another wedding. Where are you looking for the wedding. I remember that you were deciding between Russo's and Oheka.

But it sounds like it is too late to do anything. So I guess just go with the flow.

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

Hmm..I would say just don't go all out with having a band. Maybe not even a DJ. Does Russo's have speakers where they can pipe in music? Have some classical music or jazz music piped in if they can. Don't have them go crazy on centerpieces either.

I wouldn't ask your parents to unbook it. That might cause you alot of unneeded stress and upset your parents too. I bet they were just trying to help. Just roll with it and do things to tone it down and not make it very wedding-ish. Also ask people to dress 'weekend casual' on invites, ie: khakis and button down shirts or polos...not suit/tie and dressy. That will tone it down a bit too.

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

Maybe have a sunday brunch or lunch, maybe a buffet? Send out 'fun' invites, not stuffy wedding ones. I saw a lot online under the cat of casual weddings or just send out the cards from the stationary store that comes in packages of 8. We got nice 8 1/2 x11 paper and kept it light.

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

I think the brunch idea is great! This site has great, fun invitations My Gatsby

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

This one is nice:

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Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

Or this:

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Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

what about instead of a dj for dancing see if you can hire an jazz band to just play some background music and make it more of a cocktail party than a wedding atmosphere

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

I definitly agree with having a brunch or buffet to make it a bit more casual. During a brunch you wouldn't be expected to have a DJ. As someone else also suggested, a harpist etc. might be a nice touch. Or you can make your own CDs to play.

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

YOur party will be in the smaller room that over looks the water I am sure. Its amazing and you can have them give you the brunch which I think is like 100pp which isn't alot..

Check the site.
Www.russosonthebay.com

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

what about a swing band- those are 'fun'. That does look very formal. I saw they had a popcorn machine for the vietnamise hour- maybe bring that in?

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

OK girls thanks for the ideas. But another question, what can I use for centerpieces since someone said not to go with flowers. I thought pumpkins since it is Nov 30, but Thanksgiving will be over already????

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

If you're going favors you can make a Christmas tree from a styrofome cone and hang ornaments as the table's favors.

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

you could do candles with rose petals. If the table is round place a large ivy bowl in the center with a candle in it and then votives around the outside, and sprinkle some rose petals. I did balloon centerpieces to make it less formal. I saw a sample and they look really great. If you need more info or help on the balloons fm me.

Bridget

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

FYI: A brunch at Russo's is def. not $100pp.

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

FYI..


How much is it then?

Re: How do I make Russo's on the Bay more simple? I am going to kill my mom!

For centerpieces maybe have a big bowl of popcorn or some candy? I saw on the vendor board someone wanted a price for champane bottles filled with jelly beans. Maybe try the craft stores and drug stores and get some fall themed items. Not sure if you are doing the brunch of not, but maybe you can give out pancake or waffle mix- i saw them online somewhere as your favor? is it a brunch? maybe have tea cups or tea bags or those chocolate coffee spoons as favors? maybe you can ask russo's to put a big salad in the middle of the table for everyone to take insted of on plates, then you won't have to worry about the c-pieces?

where are you getting married?