CARLYLE BRIDE THREAD!!!!

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Posted by Empire State

be prepared with what type of cake you want-filling and flavor. i was so into what the outside would look like that i didn't even think of the inside.

we went with the rib eye but might change to the filet, the chicken with spinach and the mahi. the stations were so hard but we stayed away from the italian meats and the veggie one--wanted more for our money.

it becomes so real! think about how many vendors you are feeding because they ask.

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Here's a question regarding the vendors.. do you guys agree that you should pay for them all to eat? I understand that they'll be there the whole day (i'm thinking band and photographers specifically) but it seems like we're paying them so much to begin with that to add another 1/2 a plate's worth for them to eat is so much $$ (11 people comes out to be another $650 or so!). I just can't get over how much it all is. I know they are entitled to eat, but would it be tacky to have them only eat at the cocktail hour maybe? Did the Carlyle offer any other options for that?
Thanks

i don't know if we are going to pay for the band. they can eat at the cocktail hour--sue suggested that. I'm torn though because i don't know if they will 'play better' if they eat. they said they didn't have to be fed so i'm not sure. if we don't go over our estimate too much (and still have some money left!) then we will pay.

we are paying for the photographers because they are literally with us the whole day and i think it's the right thing to do.

If you don't mind me asking... how much did you all approximately spend on invitations?? I would like to order invitations next and I noticed the prices can be all over the place. I want to have nice invitations to reflect the nice place but I'm not sure how much I should be spending???

Also, did any of you do a lot of flowers at cocktail hour??

I would appreciate any input!!

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Posted by sjm71505

We're using a dj...Music by Michael! We felt the same way about a band, just too much money given all that we are spending. Plus, IMO I think you get more music/songs/dancing time with a dj.
Either way, you can't go wrong at Carlyle!!!!

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DITTO!!!!

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Posted by reembride05

If you don't mind me asking... how much did you all approximately spend on invitations?? I would like to order invitations next and I noticed the prices can be all over the place. I want to have nice invitations to reflect the nice place but I'm not sure how much I should be spending???

Also, did any of you do a lot of flowers at cocktail hour??

I would appreciate any input!!

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I spend 1,500 on invites- for 175 total.

At cocktail hour we are just having two arrangements in the hall and votive candles with rose petals in the votive and votives with a rose bud on the tables.

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Posted by Empire State

i don't know if we are going to pay for the band. they can eat at the cocktail hour--sue suggested that. I'm torn though because i don't know if they will 'play better' if they eat. they said they didn't have to be fed so i'm not sure. if we don't go over our estimate too much (and still have some money left!) then we will pay.

we are paying for the photographers because they are literally with us the whole day and i think it's the right thing to do.

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Hmm - good idea. I'll ask the band what they usually do and how they feel about it, and the same for the photographers. I agree that maybe feeding the photographers is a good idea since they will be with us for 10 hours! Thanks for the advice!

ooh, i have another question.. we just met with a florist yesterday and they were talking about flowers for the placecard table.. what are you guys doing? I was thinking of just petals on the table, but now i'm not sure.
The placecards are on one of those large side tables in the hallway right?
arggh - can't remember anything!

Our invites cost us $950 for 150 sets. That included adressing the envelopes and postage too. Lizard designs.

We paid for the vendors to eat but we only had 4 (DJ and assistant and 2 photographers.) I can see how you would hesitate if it was 11 people!

As for the cocktail hour, they can put votive candles on the table and I think we had flower petals. Carlyle asked for some flowers to decorate the serving trays too.

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Posted by otherme

ooh, i have another question.. we just met with a florist yesterday and they were talking about flowers for the placecard table.. what are you guys doing? I was thinking of just petals on the table, but now i'm not sure.
The placecards are on one of those large side tables in the hallway right?
arggh - can't remember anything!

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I am doing petals on the placecard table... I believe it is one of those tables in the hallway...

Here is a question: Is anyone doing 'signature' drinks? Cynthia had mentioned having these on the round table in the foyer when the guests come in.... just curious

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Posted by Kiddo115

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Posted by otherme

ooh, i have another question.. we just met with a florist yesterday and they were talking about flowers for the placecard table.. what are you guys doing? I was thinking of just petals on the table, but now i'm not sure.
The placecards are on one of those large side tables in the hallway right?
arggh - can't remember anything!

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I am doing petals on the placecard table... I believe it is one of those tables in the hallway...

Here is a question: Is anyone doing 'signature' drinks? Cynthia had mentioned having these on the round table in the foyer when the guests come in.... just curious

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yes, we are, but we haven't figured out what it's going to be yet. Gary also mentioned they'll kind of display it on the bar for you too...

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Posted by Bride2005

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Posted by reembride05

If you don't mind me asking... how much did you all approximately spend on invitations?? I would like to order invitations next and I noticed the prices can be all over the place. I want to have nice invitations to reflect the nice place but I'm not sure how much I should be spending???

Also, did any of you do a lot of flowers at cocktail hour??

I would appreciate any input!!

---

I spend 1,500 on invites- for 175 total.

At cocktail hour we are just having two arrangements in the hall and votive candles with rose petals in the votive and votives with a rose bud on the tables.

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Thank you everybody for your input on the invitations, I really appreciate it. As for the cocktail hour I will be doing the same, arrangements in the entrance hallway and some flowers on the piano in the cocktail hr room as well as different level pillars on each table and also an arrangement on one end of the bar.

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Here is a question: Is anyone doing 'signature' drinks? Cynthia had mentioned having these on the round table in the foyer when the guests come in.... just curious

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We did signature drinks.
I think they had champagne while guests were arriving for the seremony and cosmos while guests were coming out. Our 'signature drink' was a chocolate martini. I thought the idea was kind of nice.

my BM's dresses came in today!! and mine will be in on Monday or Tuesday-finally.

I got my shoes this week too! nine west sweetheart. i love them!!

we are going tux shopping on Monday!

accomplishing so much!!

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Posted by Empire State

my BM's dresses came in today!! and mine will be in on Monday or Tuesday-finally.

I got my shoes this week too! nine west sweetheart. i love them!!

we are going tux shopping on Monday!

accomplishing so much!!

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OMG - i'm jealous!! I've got a lot done, but everytime i think of what's left it gets daunting!

Great progress Tara!

Still waiting for BM dresses- Went looking for tuxes last week but havent settled on anything yet.

Meeting with Church and Carlyle this weekend... ANy other advice for the menu planning? I am so excited but also very nervous.

My sis was married at Flowerfield and they thew in so much and worked with us on a lot.. I know my dad hasn't been that happy with Carlyle and their pricing and that they havent been as generous as Flowerfield.


ALso have the florist appt to finalize things on Wednesday- I finally decided to go with all cream roses instead of deep red.

Hi Girls

I will be booking my wedding with Gary on Sunday for Sept 22, 2006!!! I look forward to getting and giving advice!!

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Posted by Bride2005

Great progress Tara!

Still waiting for BM dresses- Went looking for tuxes last week but havent settled on anything yet.

Meeting with Church and Carlyle this weekend... ANy other advice for the menu planning? I am so excited but also very nervous.

My sis was married at Flowerfield and they thew in so much and worked with us on a lot.. I know my dad hasn't been that happy with Carlyle and their pricing and that they havent been as generous as Flowerfield.


ALso have the florist appt to finalize things on Wednesday- I finally decided to go with all cream roses instead of deep red.

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Good luck with the menu planning! Can't wait to hear all about it.
The cream roses will be beautiful!

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Posted by kjs728

Hi Girls

I will be booking my wedding with Gary on Sunday for Sept 22, 2006!!! I look forward to getting and giving advice!!

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Congrats! We booked w/ Gary too, he's great!