A small per plate difference can add up to a BIG difference in total. The more you`re inviting, the bigger the difference. If the difference is only $5 per plate, you`d save $500 with 100 guests, $1000 with 200 guests. $10 off = savings of $1000 for 100 guests, $2000 for 200 guests.
One of our friends got married on July 4th at Westbury Manor a few years ago. He said he wouldn`t have been able to afford getting married there had they not scheduled for July 4. (I think they were set on having a summer wedding, ruling out the cheaper winter months).
If you`re set on a particular day, like the more expensive Saturday night, sometimes moving the wedding just a couple weeks or months can make a difference.
If you are flexible in choosing a date, definitely ask the places you`re considering what their different prices are for all the options, day, time and months. If you don`t mind holidays, check those out too. Give yourself all possible options.
Maria J
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Date/Month/Time price differences
There is also a difference on the minimum number guests you have to guarantee. At my reception site we would need to guarantee 190 people for a Sat nite compared to 120 on a Friday nite and 150 on a Sunday nite.
Jenn Z.
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In my experiences, Friday nights aren't as cheap as the use to be because they are becoming very popular, but our Friday night wedding still is about $30 less than a Saturday night will be. If we had been able to have it on July 4th like we wanted, then it would have been about $15 cheaper than our Friday night.
September and October are becoming popular months so if you wanted a fall wedding you might not get a great price until November.
Jennifer A.
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Seasonal differences can be huge. I have a ton of friends getting married in March because it shouldn`t be as cold as Jan. or Feb. (but you never know) and there was about a $30 per plate difference between March and Apr.-Nov. at many places I looked at. Now that the expenses are really adding up I wish I had chosen March!
Fran M
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I have heard the best prices are usually for the 'next available date'
We booked in August00 for out Sept 01 wedding (high season) we saved with a Friday vs a Sat but would have saved A LOT MORE if we took thier earliest available date, which was 4/28/01.
Karen
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There is definitely differences. Most places are significantly lower for the months of January, February and March. Also Saturday night is the most expensive time. Any other day or time would be cheapier.
Due to family issues we had to have our wedding in Feburay or March which turned out to be a blessing. We our having a Friday night in February. Our minimum is 125 as opposed to 175 on a Saturday night. Also a Saturday night in June at our place is almost $100 more per person.
Heather
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I agree with what everyone said, the winter months are cheaper. And, depending on the day/night you can pay a different price. Keep in mind, you may visit places that may seem out of your budget, but ask for the prices for the whole year. We got a slight discount just because we were the first booking for August 2002. I was always set on having a fall wedding, but being a teacher makes that next to impossible! So we decided on 8/2/02, this will leave us enough time to go on a honeymoon, and I can still get my classroom ready. Good luck, and if you need any advice on places, I've been to over 16.
Lisa
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Hi Gina,
This is my experience...after looking at many reception halls, I fell in love with the Westbury Manor for many reasons, but particularly for their grounds. I had my heart set on the month of September and booked my September 2001 wedding back in June of 2000. I had originally wanted a Saturday night but was blown away by price and also, believe it or not, there was no Saturday nights available until late November. I had thought that May/June was the most popular months, and when I asked the banquet manager at the Westbury Manor, she said that it really wasn't the case anymore, that September and October are now the most popular. In any case, I booked the only day wedding they had available there in the month of September, which was September 22. My cocktail hour is at 1 p.m. and the reception starts at 2 p.m. and goes until 6 p.m. and the price is $89 a head. This is not including tax and gratuity which comes to apx. $104 a head when it is all said and done. It still is pretty darn pricey when you are thinking of having over 200 guests, but anyway...
Best of luck with all of your planning!
Val R.
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another July 4th bride!!
We also are getting married next July 4th (Thursday evening) which in my opinion is like having a Sunday night wedding, but it was definately a good deal for us!!
Nancy
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Me too, July 4th 2002 in the afternoon, Fox Hollow!! *NM*
