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Best Bang for your $$

soinlove07 Posted:

Best Bang for your $$

OK. Can you tell that I have NO clue about weddings?

Please give me suggestions or comments on halls...and price ranges...what were you able to bargain in??

I dont want to walk into a catering facility and be totally DUH! I think its like a girl walking into a car dealership by herself.....you know??????


103005FallBride Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by Annmarie Ventura

Please give me suggestions or comments on halls..






What kind of a place are you looking for?
hocus Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

I would say that the best deals are not at traditional wedding places (though some are more affordable than others).

Consider restaurants in urban/financial areas that don't have a lot of weekend business.

Also some bars and clubs make great reception venues.

Do you have an estimate of you guest list -- you can't really book until you know how many you have.
soinlove07 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by 103005FallBride


Posted by Annmarie Ventura

Please give me suggestions or comments on halls..






What kind of a place are you looking for?



I was looking at Chateau La Mer, Floral Terrace, Westbury Manor...Elegant but affordable.
MCDO15 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

factors to think about with your wedding

do you want to be the only bride there or multiple weddings can on at 1 time?

sit down dinner or buffet dinner?

top shelf achochol or just the basics?

ceremony at church or same as receptions?

vieaenise (sp) hour?

Avg price for an Avg place include all the good stuff above can range from 85-115 pp before tax and service charge

How many people are you having and how much do you 'want' to budget and what is your whole wedding budget?

you need to think of planning fro everything else when you plan for this cause this will eat up 60% of most ppl's budgets
103005FallBride Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by Annmarie Ventura
I was looking at Chateau La Mer, Floral Terrace, Westbury Manor...Elegant but affordable.



OMG! You MUST sign up to go to The Wedding of the Year.

The ceremony will be at Westbury Manor (my personal favorite!)
AND the reception will be at Chateau La Mer!!!!

You can 'sample' a little bit of both!


ETA: CLICK HERE
SOON TO BE MRS. B Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

i woud check out milleridge inn too...not taht i am iased or anything LOL...but i was really impressed with teh place, service and what you get for your money... compared to other places we looked i thought it was a lot for not too bad of a price...

soinlove07 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

I was looking at Chateau La Mer, Floral Terrace, Westbury Manor...Elegant but affordable.


Let me correct myself...I was looking into those places but have not actually called for pricing.

Definately Long Island, Definately Nassau County or Queens

I would prefer to be the only wedding, but not necessary, as long as it is not chaos..Like Leonards was for my friends wedding.

Not looking for Venetian hour!!! Its just too much food.
akaMrsT Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

soinlove07 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by 103005FallBride


Posted by Annmarie Ventura
I was looking at Chateau La Mer, Floral Terrace, Westbury Manor...Elegant but affordable.



OMG! You MUST sign up to go to The Wedding of the Year.

The ceremony will be at Westbury Manor (my personal favorite!)
AND the reception will be at Chateau La Mer!!!!

OH, YOU CAN DO THAT????????? COOL
soinlove07 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

I have tons of prices for all sorts of halls. These are 2005/2006 prices (some afternoon and some evening)

My compiled notes may help you.

Not sure about differing taste or budget but we have got following quotes (some for 2005 & 2006).

Floral Terrace $60 pp Feb 2006 125 minimum guarantee, $70 pp for September - November 2005. All Sat/Sun afternoon pricing. They do have valet parking - underground too. One wedding at a time hall.

Chateau La Mer
We got some quotes for September/October 2005.
Thurs & Monday night $60pp ++ (18% & 8.75% tax)
Friday - $75 pp++
Sat afternoon $67++
Sat night $85++
Sun aft $60 ++
Sun night $68++
Holiday Sunday night is average of Sat/Sun night price per Lou.
Maitre D fee is $300 but split 7 ways with some staff members
Large room is 150 minimum - no upgrades if you do not make the minimum. Lou said brides want taht room and guarantee 150 knowing they will end up with like 100 or 125 so he does not do upgrades for that reason.
Smaller room upstairs is 100 minimum
Chocolate fountain (30 lbs of chocolate) is $1,000

We did not see Westbury Manor.

Giorgio's - Exit 71 in Suffolk so it' may be too far for you. $75 pp including filet mignon entree option for Monday 10/10/05 starting about 4 p.m. 115 minimum 6 hour affair - ceremony on-site

Milleridge Cottage $54 pp Sunday afternoon Jan - Feb 2006 150 minimum guarantee. Very pretty for May. One wedding at a time and a beautiful atrium for the ceremony (or outside if the weather is nice). They include centerpieces and have a pretty big basic menu (2 star). They offer a bigger menu too - 3 star. They are changing the carpet and wall paper at Milleridge Cottage though.

Milleridge Carriage House - 132 maximum capacity and probably about the same or cheaper pricing.

Fox Hollow $51 pp for Jan - Feb 2006 Sun afternoon & 160 minimum guarantee for Garden Terrace, 9/4/05 $75 pp for Sunday afternoon. The Garden Terrace room is very pretty - Tiffany glass dome over the bride & groom. Great outdoor pics. Again, easy to find for out of town guests.

Fox Hollow has other rooms for smaller weddings.

Swan Club 125 minimum for Garden Room & 165 minimum for Camelot Room$ $55 pp for Sat/Sun afternoon in November - $75 pp Sat night November, $55 Sunday night; Jan - Feb $50pp for Sat/Sun aft; $70 pp Sat night & $50 Sun night; Sept/October $65 pp Sat afternoon ; $90 pp at night; $60 pp Sun aft & $65 at night. Up to 3 weddings at a time.

Sandcastle $80 pp 2/2006 Sunday afternoon, 140 minimum.

Chateau Briand Sept 2005; Sunday afternoon $72pp; Jan - Feb $60 pp Sat/Sun afternoon
125 minimum for smaller room; 175 for larger room (not Da Vinci).

Jericho Terrace Sept/Oct 2005 $70 pp Sat/Sun afternoons; Nov $65 pp also afternoons; Jan - Feb 2006 $55 pp afternoons; 150 guarantee for Dome room; 125 for smaller room. Pretty outdoor pic areas but not ceremony or cocktail. We got them down to $55 per person for Monday afternoon 10/10/05 with 150 minimum in the Dome Room and $55 per person with a 115 guarantee for the Skylight Room.

Russos - 10/10/05 Monday - $77 pp (125 minimum I think?). FI thought the elevator entrance was too 'hollywood'. On a main road with no outdoor space for ceremony or cocktail. I hear the food is to die for and there is tons of it.

Coral House - September 2005 Sunday afternoon $58 (I think) with like 120 minimum. They have a lot of different rooms to choose from if you have a smaller or larger party.

Brentwood Country Club - (only holds about 200 max though) one wedding at a time - package deal $8995 - $11495 (?) which includes EVERYTHING (invites, limos, DJ, photo, video, flowers & reception for 100 people). Add tax and 15& service charge. Additional guests are $55 each. House vendors are included in this package but if you choose not to use them, BCC gives credit i.e. $1,000 for photo if you do not use the house photographer.

Villa Lombardi’s gave us a quote for September 05 (and October 1 2005)
Friday afternoon $74.95pp Plus 18% plus tax with a 75 minimum
Sunday afternoon 74.95 min 75
Thursday night 74.95 min 75
Sat night is 114.95 min 200
Sat aft is 89.95 min 100
Fri night 89.95 min 150
Sun night is 79.95 120 min

Carlyle on the Green
Carlyle was set up for a party - Gatsby style with sofas and lots of tables (different sizes).
I LOVED the ballroom .
Valets are $125 each, 1 per 100 guests.
10 hot/cold hors doeuvres
3 cocktail stations per 100 guests
September/October 2005 quotes
150 minimum
Thurs night $110 pp plus 20% service & tax
Sat/Sun afternoon $125pp++

North Ritz Club
175 minimum for Sept/Oct 2005
Thurs night $65++ (18 % & 8.75 tax)
Fri night $95++
Sun night $90++
Monday night $70++
Sat/Sun afternoon $80++
This is a one wedding (event) at a time place & there is an elevator for wheelchair bound (or older) guests.
They were doing a Bar Mitzvah when we visited so they will do a smaller party.

Majestic Gardens quoted us October 2005 Saturday afternoon, sunday night & Sunday afternoon - all $82.50 pp.
October 2005 Friday night is $102.50 pp & Saturday night is $135 pp.
For 2006 pricing typicaly goes up by about $3 - $5 pp. I think the guarantee was 125


wow! Thank you so much! I wont have a prob with the guarantee...we have 230 on my list...but hoping for like 175. Lots of overseas guests.
SomethingBlu Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

Welcome!

Check out:

www.receptionhalls.com and www.weddingsitesandservices.com

I visited a lot of halls prior to booking at Jericho Terrace. I set a price in my head as my 'highest' and lowered it by $10pp when speaking to the BM. I also eliminated a lot of places based on how they would be on the phone.

Be flexible with dates, time of day, season, etc. and they'll be flexible with pricing. How they get you? When you say 'I've always wanted a Saturday wedding in October and that's what I want!'...well guess what, you'll pay for it! Go in with 'I'll get married anytime from March until November...I'm flexible, what's open?' and they'll work with you.

Good luck and happy planning!
EmberLynn Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

My FH are renting our churches hall for our reception and found a cater who charged $30 a head, wait staff included. I got my cake from King Kullans for $200 and I'm only using wine and beer instead of hard liquor.

I have a budget of $5000 for 100 guest. I had to bargin.

Have a non Saturday wedding. Mine is Friday night. You can save a lot by doing that.
cantwait2bewed Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

You are getting married in a high wedding season. When bargaining with halls during this time, bargain with the liquor. I saved 5 bucks per person by just cutting of the liquor for 2 hours at the end of the reception. consider having a weekday wedding. If people really want to see you get married it doesnt really matter what day of the week you have it. Thursday and Fri. tend to be cheaper, however the cost of those days are going up now b/c so many brides are choosing them to save money. Tell the caterers what your budget is upfront. They all have various menus to accommodate some budgets. You can cut out alchohol all together and trust me that would drop the bill to an all time low. Also ask if you can bring your own liquor. If you dont get a catering hall look into renting out an empty space etc.

I am wedding planner and a bride on this board so if you need any more info. FM me.
soinlove07 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by cantwait2bewed

You are getting married in a high wedding season. When bargaining with halls during this time, bargain with the liquor. I saved 5 bucks per person by just cutting of the liquor for 2 hours at the end of the reception. consider having a weekday wedding. If people really want to see you get married it doesnt really matter what day of the week you have it. Thursday and Fri. tend to be cheaper, however the cost of those days are going up now b/c so many brides are choosing them to save money. Tell the caterers what your budget is upfront. They all have various menus to accommodate some budgets. You can cut out alchohol all together and trust me that would drop the bill to an all time low. Also ask if you can bring your own liquor. If you dont get a catering hall look into renting out an empty space etc.

I am wedding planner and a bride on this board so if you need any more info. FM me.



BUDGET. Thats a question...how do you determine what that # is?
akaMrsT Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by Annmarie Ventura


Posted by cantwait2bewed

You are getting married in a high wedding season. When bargaining with halls during this time, bargain with the liquor. I saved 5 bucks per person by just cutting of the liquor for 2 hours at the end of the reception. consider having a weekday wedding. If people really want to see you get married it doesnt really matter what day of the week you have it. Thursday and Fri. tend to be cheaper, however the cost of those days are going up now b/c so many brides are choosing them to save money. Tell the caterers what your budget is upfront. They all have various menus to accommodate some budgets. You can cut out alchohol all together and trust me that would drop the bill to an all time low. Also ask if you can bring your own liquor. If you dont get a catering hall look into renting out an empty space etc.

I am wedding planner and a bride on this board so if you need any more info. FM me.



BUDGET. Thats a question...how do you determine what that # is?



With 175 - 230 guests I think you are looking at $25K - $45K or more if you pick a hall that is $100 or so person (plus tax and gratuity which ranges from 15% - 20%)

The reception alone will range from 30-60% of the budget depending on the deal you can get (off season or off nights).

Other expenses

photo

video if you want it

flowers

dress

veil

tiara or headpiece if you want one

hair

make up

shoes

limos if you need them

invitations (can be $100 for 100 up to $20 per invite or more)

Coordinator $200 - % of your budget depending on who you hire

Officiant

Band (or DJ)

rings

honeymoon

and a ton of stuff I know I am leaving out like
menus
programs
place cards
favors etc.
babybug631 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

Definately look at West Sayville Country Club. My wedding is $89 pp with venitian hour, upgraded cocktail hour.... It's different than most catering halls because it's a small mansion. It was just renovated last January. It's different and affordable.

beautyq115 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

Swan Club

soinlove07 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$


Posted by akaMrsT


Posted by Annmarie Ventura


Posted by cantwait2bewed

You are getting married in a high wedding season. When bargaining with halls during this time, bargain with the liquor. I saved 5 bucks per person by just cutting of the liquor for 2 hours at the end of the reception. consider having a weekday wedding. If people really want to see you get married it doesnt really matter what day of the week you have it. Thursday and Fri. tend to be cheaper, however the cost of those days are going up now b/c so many brides are choosing them to save money. Tell the caterers what your budget is upfront. They all have various menus to accommodate some budgets. You can cut out alchohol all together and trust me that would drop the bill to an all time low. Also ask if you can bring your own liquor. If you dont get a catering hall look into renting out an empty space etc.

I am wedding planner and a bride on this board so if you need any more info. FM me.



BUDGET. Thats a question...how do you determine what that # is?



With 175 - 230 guests I think you are looking at $25K - $45K or more if you pick a hall that is $100 or so person (plus tax and gratuity which ranges from 15% - 20%)

The reception alone will range from 30-60% of the budget depending on the deal you can get (off season or off nights).

Other expenses

photo

video if you want it

flowers

dress

veil

tiara or headpiece if you want one

hair

make up

shoes

limos if you need them

invitations (can be $100 for 100 up to $20 per invite or more)

Coordinator $200 - % of your budget depending on who you hire

Officiant

Band (or DJ)

rings

honeymoon

and a ton of stuff I know I am leaving out like
menus
programs
place cards
favors etc.



I know i can make my own menus, programs and place cards..I design things like this for me all the time...A coordinator? What do they do?
ML110 Posted:

Re: Best Bang for your $$

a coordinator is definitely optional.... some girls hire 'day of coordinators' to take care of things on the wedding day... but really its not needed- once you get to the reception you have the maitre d or banquet manager to take care of things... so you really just need somebody in the mornings- you could ask an aunt or a friend of you parents to help out while youre getting ready and stuff if you really want someone there.... but definitely not a neccesity

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