Did you 'settle'?

Original post by Notwedyet08

Feb 09, 2010 03:49 PM

my favorite hall is out of our budget-we have our 2nd choice; but i'm hestitant to book. My heart is set on the first one but at almost $20more pp++ we just can't cover the costs...i guess i just need to put my feet firmly on the ground and get out of the daydream. Just don't want to feel like i'm settling for the place that we can afford??? I've looked EVERYWHERE there is to look (for reception halls) just don't know what to do??

FH wants to book to lock in the date so we don't have to worry about it not being available but i'm thinking we have 22 months-is it really gonna go that fast?? Plus he wants to lock in the hall & date so that we have a firm goal to save towards. I just say keep saving; we have to save no matter where we book so if the money stays in my pocket longer than so be it....I'm just stuck with the 'What IF's' WHAT IF i find something better i like; WHAT IF my 1st choice miraceously lowers their price for us closer to the date; WHAT IF; WHAT IF WHAT IF I'll go crazy over this!! AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!

Sorry ladies-i just don't know what to do!

HoopsnYoyo Posted: Feb 09, 2010 04:56 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Posted by Jessc4985

Honestly, talk them down in price. They will most likely go down. Try all options before giving up on your first choice!!!

ITA!!

If they really want your business, they will be willing to negotiate with you!!! it doesnt hurt to ask!!

Chelechel1 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 04:57 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

I know you said that you have looked at every hall, but did you ever go to this site? I just found out about it recently. It lists all the RH sites on Long Island, Queens, and BK. Here is the link:
http://www.longislandcateringhalls.com/

Good luck! You still have plenty of time though!

Notwedyet08 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:14 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Posted by WeezyGirl2354

I didn't settle on the venue - i had to settle on the date b/c i didnt have a choice (the date we wanted was taken).

But in the end - as another bride mentioned, the place really doesn't matter. IMO i would rather 'settle' for a place and have money left over to do some really KICK A$$ things that would make our wedding our own and no one elses. Also - saving that money by 'settling' you can uses it towards an amazing honeymoon or your home or the future of your children.

Every woman in some way dreams about their wedding day - but i wouldn't think you would be settling by any means - IMO you would being doing you and your FH a favor by doing what you are comfortable with.

You're SO right! I feel So much better after what all you have said. And no i don't feel like I'm settling; i'm still sure i'll have a great day no matter what! With FH; our friends & family we'll have a great time even if we're in our own backyard!

Notwedyet08 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:20 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

I just wanted to update-

I e-mailed Wesbury Manor (both Natasha & Felicia) this LONG e-mail pretty much expressing my sadness that I wouldn't be able to book with them and how much i loved the Manor and i threw out ideas of ways i would be wiling to cut costs if they were open to them (fewer entree choices; asked about increasing the minimum to reduce the pp cost) you name it; i was just honest and they called me back in 5 minutes saying how they appreciated my honesty and that there are some other ways to lower the cost and still have the november wedding i wanted! I just can't talk wedding stuff here at work so i told them i'd call back as soon as i leave for the day to get all the details! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they can come down just a little! If we can get it down just a little more i'd be SO happy. I'll pay an extra $1-$1.5K but can't go more than that!

BUT i'm going to also have to deal with the fact that they might not be able to go as low as i need them and i'll have to go with my second choice. Which has become a lot easier to accept after discussing it with FH & with the GREAT HELP OF ALL OF YOU!!!

YOU ARE ALL THE BEST!!!!

I'm working my A#$#$ off to Get Westbury Manor; but if not; i'll book the Swan Club and still be happy!

HSsweethearts Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:21 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

That's AWESOME!!!!

SO great that they are willing to work with you!

Notwedyet08 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:21 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

UGH Negotiations have given me a headache!!

Chelechel1 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:24 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Swan Club is very beautiful! Especially the grounds there in the fall.
Good luck on your negotiations! I hope it works out for you!

Notwedyet08 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:27 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Posted by Chelechel1

Swan Club is very beautiful! Especially the grounds there in the fall.
Good luck on your negotiations! I hope it works out for you!

I agree-i don't think i'll be 'settling' i shouldn't have used that word; because i think it's very beautiful there. But my heart is w/the WM 1st.

KN2011 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 05:38 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Good Luck! Keep us updated!

angelscri Posted: Feb 09, 2010 07:31 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Westbury Manor and Swan Club were my top 2 choices also. WM is very beautiful, But I really did not like how pushy the bm was when we went for our tour. He charged me 141 dollars pp for a Saturday night, with 225 person minimum, he was not really willing to negotiate price or anything with me. He simply told me to have the wedding on a Thursday night instead then he sat down in his chair and asked me to write him a check. And then he got insulted when I told him I wanted to look around more cause the price he offered me was out of my budget. I decided to go with the Swan Club because the owner made me feel much more comfortable and he was willing to negotiate with me. Good luck in your search, both places are beautiful.

Danielle41209 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 08:19 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Kim, don't worry. Both venues are beautiful and hopefully WM can work with you so you can have your dream reception.

Did I settle? Yes and no. Yes because my top hall (east wind) was too far away for a Friday night wedding. They negotiated the price as best they could but Saturday would've been the better option. Yet, Saturday was wayyyyyy too expensive. Scratch that hall.

Fox Hollow and Swan Club were my next 2 favorites and we chose FH because it had more of what I wanted. Swan Club was gorgeous and I'd recommend it to ANYONE!!! Jordana was great to work with and if things fell through for FH and I financially, I'd look to book there.

Everything will work out for you and FH. IF you have to pay more, make sure you're ok with it. No regrets needed!

Good luck!!!!

wiggleit28 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 08:25 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

I truly hope it works out for you. I'm getting married at WM in March 2011. It was our first choice but we didn't think we'd be able to afford it in the months we wanted (May/June) so we did settle for another month but not the place! We love it : )

I will keep my fingers crossed for you for sure!

Bee12 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 08:33 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

I hope you get your 1st choice!!! no matter what you chose they are both beautiful

LaBellaVita622 Posted: Feb 09, 2010 09:11 PM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

you have FM

Notwedyet08 Posted: Feb 10, 2010 09:32 AM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Thanks ladies!!

So i spoke with Natasha-they're offering us a really good deal for a Sunday; and if we did the Saturday it's only $10 more which i'm willing to pay. I'm taking FH there this weekend to take the tour (since he never saw it). I just have to keep my fingers crossed that he likes it too.

We were discussing (almost arguing) the pro's & con's of it last night. He's focusing on the extra $$ that we'd need to come up with; and how that will affect other things that we need to pay for.

I just don't know what to do...i feel so conflicted!

I like both places; i love WM and i will love the SC if that's where we ultimately decided to book too. When WM was way out of our budget i was all set to book SC. If they hadn't contacted me about other options i would have just gotten the thought of them out of my mind! I know it's not fair to FH for me to keep flip flopping with the decisions. Just don't know what to do!! Go with the lower cost place because it's just as nice and a lower costs?? I tried to convience him that menu was we get more at the WM; but he's like do we really need all that extra food etc.

harts2976 Posted: Feb 10, 2010 09:34 AM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Who'd you work with at WM?? I am friends with a BM there! Let me know

harts2976 Posted: Feb 10, 2010 09:37 AM

Re: Did you 'settle'?

Tell her you know Shannon Hart-- We both dated brothers for 3 years and were really close! I went there for our wedding and loved what they had to offer but just wasn't the look we wanted!!! I love Natasha!

BTW-- FH is a chef and he was VERY impressed with the WM food and menu!