I have never been to a Friday wedding and I am trying to plan one. I am looking to stay away from a dinner and possibly put our money twards horderves and open bar. Is this totaly tacky? I'm also trying to decide if we should have the wedding at the same place as the reception considering we wouldn't start the ceremony until 7 or so. Any sugestions would be very helpful!
Thanks!
Amy
madseason
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Hi Amy!
First off...are you going to book a 'regular' reception hall? Most dont have an open bar anymore! You are paying an arm and leg for the liquor and all the food!
If you are using a Knights Of Columbus type hall...the ordourves type wedding ( theres a name for it, but i cant remember it) it gaining popularity and I know there have been articles by all the big magazines and critics out there...
What kind of hall are you looking to book that you would think open bar and cocktail hour is where you have to put all your money? Just curious...
amynben
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Honestly, I have no idea I was just hoping that was an option. LOL!
I'm starting to hear from froiends that it would be very close to the same price to serve a sit down. I just figured that with the wedding at 7 and reception starting at 8, people wouldn't expect a full dinner.
Espo22
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Posted by amynben
Honestly, I have no idea I was just hoping that was an option. LOL!
I'm starting to hear from froiends that it would be very close to the same price to serve a sit down. I just figured that with the wedding at 7 and reception starting at 8, people wouldn't expect a full dinner.
well my CH starts at 7:30 and the reception doesn't start until 8:30.
And hmmm there is open bar ...i mean we pay for it so that it can be open bar for the guests.
jteach711
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
I ahve been to many Friday night weddings, mine is on a Friday night and I think it is customary to have a dinner. I think most people would expect it, unless you specified otherwise. Also I don't know if there are any reception halls that would let you book without doing the dinner, and paying for it.
HotAir
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
I agree. Most people would expect you to have dinner despite how late it becomes.
I don't know why but this reminds me of a time that I was at a wedding in NJ. They had a buffet dinner and I wasn't used to it so I thought it was part of the coctail hour and I didn't eat anything. Next thing I knew cake and coffee was being served. I left starving!
Espo22
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
This is common in other states and thats acceptable. In NY hmmm guests attending a wedding are used to something else so don't know how everyone would react. Also like others have said, not sure if a NY RH will do that
italyngigi
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
If you do not do a sit down then you should try and specify that to your guests. You'd be better doing a sit down with open bar because your going to pay for it anyway. My friend did a engagement party brunch / cocktail thing and paid close to $60 per person. You can do a really nice wedding in a hall for a little more. You need to really do your research and negotiate with them... you can always negotiate. Depending where your having it they can help you out with tax if you pay casch.
Mine is on a Friday night, the ceremony is at the church at 4pm. The reception is from 6:30pm to 12am. It's a sit down and it includes: open bar with top shelf liquor, bridal suite with a smaller version of what the guests will have for the full cocktail hour BUT with all the same food, an 11 choice menu for the dinner, cappucino, expresso, tea, coffe, mini pasteries and the wedding cake.
Also make sure parking is included for your guests! If not you need to specify that to them before the wedding - maybe put it in the invitation like one of the those direction card type things. My friends just went to a wedding and found out by email from the groom that guests had to pay for parking, they had to pay $23 per car.
Do your research and take your time! Also make sure they allow you to go for a tasting!!!! If they don't allow it you might want to re-think the place!
TlovesD
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Posted by jteach711
I ahve been to many Friday night weddings, mine is on a Friday night and I think it is customary to have a dinner. I think most people would expect it, unless you specified otherwise. Also I don't know if there are any reception halls that would let you book without doing the dinner, and paying for it.
agreed..my wedding is on a Friday night as well. I think that your guests might expect a dinner. Also I'm not sure if and NY Reception Hall will no do a dinner.
JACK808
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Yes, places will do cocktail receptions. I just went to one at the de Seversky Center, and have seen cocktail reception menus elsewhere. Just be sure that if you do this, you specify 'cocktail reception' on your invitations, so that people do not expect a full meal. This was not done at the wedding I just attended, and people wound up leaving early to head out to the diner!
amynben
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Thank you all for the replies. I live in WI and you would be supprised how many places are willing to let you just do cocktails. In looking at the prices we decided to do a dinner. Iwas supprised how close in price it was to just have finger foods or to have a sit down!
Jumbles
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
i went to a wedding a couple of years ago @ carlyle on the green in bethpage state park and they did a 4 hour cocktail hour open bar and hot and cold stations for 4 hours it was different and i think it got more people up dancing and mingling
FutureMrsFass
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Re: 09 wedding on a Friday HELP!
Friday night weddings are becoming more and more popular ! It cuts costs and personally I like it better because then you have the whole weekend. Whoever is going to come to your wedding will make arrangements to be there regardless of the day. A Friday wedding is usually no different than a Saturday wedding. The only difference is that you probably will have less guests at your service. So, I would serve dinner as normal. If you are concerned about people making it to the service then I would have it at the hall.
