If you are planning to have your ceremony at The Bourne I just wanted to fill you in on something important.
Ben emailed me today to tell me that the ceremony can only start 30 minutes before the cocktail hour begins and it's an extra $500.
I knew there was a charge for the extra time, but come on 30 MINUTES for the ceremony?! I didn't think they'd limit the time that much!
Once again FH and I are doing one of these 2 for each of us
Now what?
diva7531
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
I think most RH give you 30 min for around the same amount of money. Didn't they tell you tat when you signed the contract?
neener1211
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in my opinion, that is just weird...at least give an hour....just for 'just in case time runs over' cases
Lools
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Nope I didn't remember that being part of the contract, plus I don't remember them telling us outdoor ceremonies weren't allowed. Ben actually gave us the tour of the grounds telling us how beautiful they would be for a ceremony, even showing us spots, before we booked! We only found out St. John's doesn't allow outdoor ceremonies after the fact!
30 minutes does not seem like sufficient time for a ceremony. First of all we know that ceremonies never start on time. And between the readings, Pastor's message, music, etc. it will definitely be longer than 20-30 minutes.
diva7531
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
I would talk to your pastor, most of the officiants I talk to had a 20 min ceremony and then you could add readers. My ceremony is 12 minutes w/o anything added. We added one reader and one thing w/ our daughter. all in all it will be about 22min. But then again I knew about the 30 min. but it was never an issue. I hope it works out for you, would it be too late to change the venue of your ceremony?
LoveBug1124
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
Our RH gives 30 minutes as well - the invite is an hour before so if everyone is there early you can start at any time.
diva7531
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Posted by LoveBug1124
Our RH gives 30 minutes as well - the invite is an hour before so if everyone is there early you can start at any time.
We were gonna do that too, but then we realized that we don't ave enough seating for 200 guests on the deck we picked, and since we don't want to change decks, we will keep the time the actual time and then hope 50 ppl are late!
Lools
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
I called the Historical Chapel in Woodbury and booked our date there, but I'm not sure we're gonna go with it. According to Mapquest the estimated time from there to the Bourne is 36 minutes. I feel bad asking all my guests to drive around where they are unfamiliar. No one is from LI. They are all coming from NJ and upstate NY.
I was trying to make it easy on the guests and give us a good length of time to perform our ceremony the way we wanted.
diva7531
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
Most people know they will have to drive from the church to the RH. Unfortunately, alot of people don't go to the church these days because of distance and length of time between church and reception. Do you have an officiant yet? Usually a mass ceremony lasts just under an hour. W/o the mass it is less. I would really talk to your pastor before you give it anymore thought, this way you will know everything you are working with. HTH
Queensbebe
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
Our ceremony is 30mins before cocktail and its $1500...they serve food and drinks for an hour...so that ure guests aren't annoyed waiting for u...but still!! I''m telling everyone to get really drunk so that its worth my 1500!!! Y didn't they tell u that when u signed ure contract tho??
Lools
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
WOW now that's a crazy amount of $!! I have no problem with the $500 at the Bourne. That's pocket change compared to the rest of the wedding! I am just worried about feeling rushed through the ceremony. I will take your advice girls and talk to my Pastor about it. Maybe I'm freaking out about nothing...
Queensbebe
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Posted by Lools
WOW now that's a crazy amount of $!! I have no problem with the $500 at the Bourne. That's pocket change compared to the rest of the wedding! I am just worried about feeling rushed through the ceremony. I will take your advice girls and talk to my Pastor about it. Maybe I'm freaking out about nothing...
I think so...as long as ure not having a full mass...u'll be fine time wise. I'm sure if u run a few minutes over, u'll be fine!
Ida881
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
Ugh, that stinks! I am hoping mine is about 30-45 mins...I dont care what they say. What are they gonna do, stop the ceremony if it goes over 30 mins?
StarryEyedBride
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Try not to panick on the time - our ceremony is only going to be about 15mins. Our officiant said that's plenty of time and we are having a poem read and the sand pouring thing. 30 mins will be ok -
GabrielleandJohn
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The Vanderbilt mansion was 1 hour for $1000 but that included passed champagne and fruit kabobs.
I am not suprised that St. John's doesn't allow outside weddings. Being that it is a catholic school and catholics are not allowed to marry outside. I am sorry they miscommunicated this to you.
snapp29
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Posted by Ida881
Ugh, that stinks! I am hoping mine is about 30-45 mins...I dont care what they say. What are they gonna do, stop the ceremony if it goes over 30 mins?
I agree with you Ida!!
My G-d, this place is unbelievable....they will just push and push if you dont speak up....
Can't you just see the maitre'd coming down the aisle shouting, 'OK, people...time shes up!!!' LOL
Lools
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Girls, FH and I looked at our contract last night and there is absolutely NOTHING in it regarding ceremonies at the Bourne, indoor, outdoor, time frame, etc. Big Surprise
Ida881
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Re: BOURNE BRIDES - FYI
Posted by snapp29
Posted by Ida881
Ugh, that stinks! I am hoping mine is about 30-45 mins...I dont care what they say. What are they gonna do, stop the ceremony if it goes over 30 mins?
I agree with you Ida!!
My G-d, this place is unbelievable....they will just push and push if you dont speak up....
Can't you just see the maitre'd coming down the aisle shouting, 'OK, people...time shes up!!!' LOL
Yea right! I can image the maitre'd trying to stop the ceremony. That would be sooo funny!
kek
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I was told you have the mansion for the whole day...if that is the case, how can they charge you? I spsecifically asked bc I wanted someone to go early and set up pictures, etc. Its not like there is going to be drinks and food at the ceremony so they are not losing out. I would be angry!
Lools
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you know, that's a good point, and I forgot we were told the same thing! Which is why I thought we would have more time for the ceremony. I mean, we want to take pictures there before hand - are we not allowed to do that?? what the heck? I'm gonna have FH call and see what the deal is. I'd prefer to go to Peter Lessing directly rather than through Ben. It seems like brides in the past have had better luck when they've done that.
