In an effort to cut costs...and stray from the typical LI Wedding
I thought about having a cocktail style party, instead of a typical sit down dinner for the wedding
Either incorporate the CH into the reception...or do an extended CH(maybe 2 hours)
and then have a VH at the end
What do you girls think?
FH thinks it looks 'cheap'
I think:
CH food is better anyway Most people are super full by the time dinner comes Dinner just interrupts the party anyway, more time for dancing!
do you think it will cut costs? would you like a wedding that just had a really big CH? would you feel like the couple, cheaped out?
TIA!
harts2976
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
One of my cousins had a wedding where the food was displayed all around the room the entire time.
1) the wedding was silly expensive!!!!!! (but it could be b/c of wear it was) 2) It was confusing for the guest. We thought it was coctail hour but it wasnt 3) I don't know if halls will do it?
I dont think it comes off cheap, but also not sure if it saves money. It did confuse us at my cousins wedding but some of the guest said they do that a lot down there! Price it out it can't hurt to look into it if that's what you want!
jettahot
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
honestly, i think that sounds awesome...
i would love to go to a CH-Cocktail themed wedding! Different and unique! Good Luck!!
TheFutureMrs2011
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
Just make sure they do it right! I just went to a wedding at Majestic Gardens where they had a cocktal reception, and they promised the couple so much more food than they delivered. They didn't get THAT great of a deal either versus traditional sit down dinner.. I think if done right, it can be an awesome idea.. cocktail hour food is the best,.. I think if you go somewhere known for their food, like crest hollow or villa lombardi's, you would assure a successful cocktail reception
Jennielee15
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
I have a friend doing it and it actually costs more to do it that way. Would be cool though!
mrsg2be11
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
Continuous cocktail hour is usually a lot more money than the traditional sit down dinner. It all boils down to them having to replenish a lot more different types of food for a longer period of time. I think they are awesome, and def a good idea if you want a more laid back feeling to your wedding.
evita2781
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
i dont know if it'll be cheaper but you have to be careful that it's done correctly. i went to one not knowing it was a cocktail type dinner and didn't eat as much anticipating dinner and i was starving the rest of the night b/c there wasn't as much food later on.
BUT if done correctly, i think it'll be awesome b/c i do agree that CH hour food is the BEST! and if you're going to have VH - even better!
and i don't think it looks cheap at all!
LoveyDovey
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
thanks for the thoughts! I didn't think about people expecting dinner lol, good thing i brought this up
it def wouldn't be 'continuous'
Im thinking extra long CH, like 2 hours
and then maybeee some passed stuff during reception
and VH
I will def make a notation on invite somehow that its a cocktail party, this way people aren't starving
gotta see what the pricing is like
but firstttttttttttttttttttt need a venue lol
leesah85
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
I know that the Thatched Cottage does this in the winter months (Jan-March) for like $50pp. I just got a flyer in the Newsday last week.
Honestly, IMO, if you're going to spend $50pp, then spend $60pp and get married at Crest Hollow or Swan Club or something.
I got prices of $60pp++ for Swan Club for Friday night in November. I'm sure there are other halls that could match this price if you didn't like the Swan Club.
I know that this cocktail reception is much more popular out of state, but you know who your guests are. If they're used to the 'NY / LI wedding' then I'd say CH reception is definitely a 'no-go.'
My FH's coworker is getting married upstate in August and they're doing a 'continuous ch' which is different then a cocktail party b/c there is constantly different food. Sort of a blend of CH and a buffet.
HTH!
amandamichael
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
ohhh i loveee cocktail parties- i wanted to do it and so did fh- but my rh hall wouldnt allow it
that foods always the best i say go for it!
alicia6650
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
I think its a very fun idea- but I would imagine that generally all the things people are saying would hold true.
BUT if you are looking to be different and save money, why not look into a backyard type wedding? My friend just married a girl from out west, and they do weddings TOTALLY different there. SO for those of us from LI (pretty much half the wedding) it was SO COOL to go to a backyard wedding in amityville!!! And there are SO MANY fun things you can do when you do a wedding like that...her dress was only slightly more casual then a RH wedding, but she went and got her hair done and the CPs were masin jars they found at antique shops with river rocks on the bottom and just a bunch of flowers. OH and the BEST thing about backyard weddings- is stringing up those circle paper lanterns in the inside of the tent. Me and my sister have done this twice- once for an anniversary party and once for my other sisters baby shower- and we had cheap little LCD light inside of them. And let me tell you, when it got dark and those were the light in the tent- it was BEAUTIFUL>
LoveyDovey
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
im having a really hard time finding places for the 60pp rate
the only one that was even a maybe is CLM but not one wedding at a time and I dont like the view of the parking lot from the outdoor ceremony area
swan club, dont love the decor on the walls
i welcome any other 60pp suggestions! but must be one wedding at a time place- willing to do winter or thurs night
backyard wedding crossed our mind, but honestly by the time you find space and rent everything, you're not saving that much money we priced it out.
im not saying you should pick this CH but they do offer it and it's such a great idea
my girlfriend rented a loft in NYC for her wedding and she is doing a cocktail reception - so chic and 'in'
GlitterBox24
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
I may have missed a previous post, but what happened with mexico?
CrazyLove11
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
I think it's a good idea, not sure if it's more or less expensive but here are some suggestions: - def put on the invite that it is a cocktail reception or whatever the appropriate wording is so guests aren't surprised and waiting for their meal - have it in a non traditional reception hall room so the feeling is a bit different. (for example, my RH has a fab cocktail hour space that has a dance floor. yet cocktail style seating enough for all guest) - think about having the reception in the afternoon or maybe as a brunch to help manage expectations - def do a switch after/during cake cutting to remove the cocktail type of food and replace with desserts! Just some ideas
InLuvWithMyBF
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
I read in a book once that this is one of the top 100 ways to save money on a wedding and still be fabulous! So, don't worry, it won't look cheap and if there is one thing I learned thus far is look out for YOU and not everyone else. who cares what they think. In the end what matters is you didnt put yourself debt or in hock lol, you still had your wedding, and you married the love of your life. Also, people will talk anyway...that's what they do. Do what's good for YOUR pocket! =)
KatiNoE
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
We originally wanted to go this route and we didn't have any luck finding an RH that would do it the way we wanted. Carlyle on the Green calls it a Gatsby style reception but the price is equal to a sit down dinner. If you want to pull it off you would probably have to head west toward the city and have it in a loft. I know The Foundry and The Metropolitan Building would work (in Long Island City) or any studio space in the city. That way your caterer isn't dictated by your venue. Unfortunately, LI and NY don't always follow 'the rules' for how to keep a budget low.
Good luck! If you're able to pull it off it will be chic and definitely a different experience.
PazzaRagazza
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
Villa Lomabrdi will do this for you-- they told us about it when we looked there
MrsDtoB
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
Posted by PazzaRagazza
Villa Lomabrdi will do this for you-- they told us about it when we looked there
Yes, was just going to post this! We went to a wedding at Villa Lombardi's in September that had this style dinner. The MC announced it as a dinner buffet, but it really was just a huge cocktail hour. The food was delicious and we left stuffed.
LoveyDovey
Posted:
Member since
Re: Cocktail Party?
Posted by CrazyLove11
I think it's a good idea, not sure if it's more or less expensive but here are some suggestions: - def put on the invite that it is a cocktail reception or whatever the appropriate wording is so guests aren't surprised and waiting for their meal - have it in a non traditional reception hall room so the feeling is a bit different. (for example, my RH has a fab cocktail hour space that has a dance floor. yet cocktail style seating enough for all guest) - think about having the reception in the afternoon or maybe as a brunch to help manage expectations - def do a switch after/during cake cutting to remove the cocktail type of food and replace with desserts! Just some ideas
