Brides Helping Brides ™ - Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Rina Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:16 AM

Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

As many of you know I put down a $500 deposit at the SandCastle for my e-party next year in May. Well, today my cousin came over and told me that my FI and I should go to Russo's on the Bay and do the e-party in the Tivoli Room. Little did I know that my cousin is close with the owner and higher management. He told me that we will go together next week and that he would be able to get a really good price, less than what I'm paying at the SandCastle.

Less is always a plus...and hey it's Russo's. Granted I love the SandCastle, but if my cousin can get me an awesome price, then to Russo's I go.

Now, the problem. If I go to Russo's, would I be able to get my $500 deposit back at the SandCastle? Has anyone ever booked and gave a down payment and then ask for it back because they changed halls? What's a good excuse? Should I be honest or say something else?
Thanks for listening.

My next question....If I do have my e-party at Russo's, does it look tacky if I get married there also?

AJsMommy122 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:19 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

IMO I would think its really weird to get married and have your eparty in the same place. With all the halls out there... it would be like one huge repeat you know? you would have to find ways to out do everything you are doing for your eparty. - JMHO

If the price is cheaper I would switch to russos but I dont think SC will give you your $$ back. The lady next door to me booked there for her wedding and a month later realized they couldnt afford it and she wasnt able to get any of her money back. I have heard that from a few other people as well
If you are saving alot going with russos then the $500 wont be such a big deal since you are saving so much. I know its stinks though

randella Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:24 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

I don't necessarily think it is tacky to have your wedding at the same place.. it's really more of a been there/done that kind of thing. The day of your wedding should be special-- and be a new place, that everyone hasn't been to- for you- before.

I was thinking of having my RD at the Carltun the night before my wedding- and decided against it- while it would be a different room of course, and a separate entrance, I would have rathered guests be wowed for the first time on the wedding day, not the night before-- kinda the same thing..

Rina Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:33 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Posted by Soon2bMsZ

IMO I would think its really weird to get married and have your eparty in the same place. If the price is cheaper I would switch to russos but I dont think SC will give you your $$ back. The lady next door to me booked there for her wedding and a month later realized they couldnt afford it and she wasnt able to get any of her money back. I have heard that from a few other people as well
If you are saving alot going with russos then the $500 wont be such a big deal since you are saving so much. I know its stinks though

I would honestly hate to lose $500. I will talk w/ George and see what he says if it came down to that decision. Sounds weird to say, but I hope Russo's estimates a plate a bit higher than the SandCastle so I wouldn't have to make a decision. I don't care, if Russo's is even a $1 more than what I'm paying...I'll say 'no'.
I also am kind of hesitant on having an e-party in the same place I'm having my wedding. (Not the same room although, but it's still the same hall). I would really like to have the option of going somewhere different between an e-party/wedding. I'm really confused as to how tacky it would look to do an e-party and wedding there. What impression do you think it gives to guests? IMO, I'm not to keen on throwing both events in the same hall, even if I have two different rooms for both events. But, then again, if I'm offered a great price that's affordable, should I even bother what people would think about throwing a both parties in the same hall?

AJsMommy122 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:38 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Honestly IMO. I wouldnt have my eparty and wedding in the same place. and as I said in the other post as a guest I would think it was kind of odd to do both parties in the same place, but you do whats right for you.
If $$ was an issue I would go someplace cheaper then both SC and russos and just get a good deal on the wedding itself. The thing with russos even if its a different room its the same place, same menus, etc.
Your are getting a good deal at sandcastle.
Find out how much russos wants to charge you first before you drive yourself crazy.

AlliNMatt06 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:40 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

If you are having your wedding at the Sand Castle already cant you ask them to put the 500 you put down for the E-party towards your wedding. Then you can have your E-Party at Russo's. I don't like the idea of having it in the same place. It maybe a different room but, its the same food, service, entrance. It wont be special on your wedding day.

june262004 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:41 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

IMO..... I wouldn't have my wedding in the same place as my eparty. I know people are going to hate me for this but I wouldn't have my E-party in a fancy place that people have weddings either. My E-party was at the firshouse hall. IMO A wedding is more important then an e-party to me. I think you should make a bigger deal out of a wedding then an e-party. Weather it be a better place better favors better everything. IMO people (including myself) expect bigger and better for weddings. Don't hate me JMO. I think even if the sandcastle is more I would stick with it.

AJsMommy122 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:43 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Posted by june262004

IMO..... I wouldn't have my wedding in the same place as my eparty. I know people are going to hate me for this but I wouldn't have my E-party in a fancy place that people have weddings either. My E-party was at the firshouse hall. IMO A wedding is more important then an e-party to me. I think you should make a bigger deal out of a wedding then an e-party. Weather it be a better place better favors better everything. IMO people (including myself) expect bigger and better for weddings. Don't hate me JMO. I think even if the sandcastle is more I would stick with it.

I agree 100%. dont get me wrong if you have the $$$ and thats what you want then go for it. It is just going to be so hard to top everything and make it seem like a big deal over your eparty. you definitly want your wedding to be a huge thing and its going to cost major $$$$$$ to top what you are doing

eta. people will have nothing to look forward to at the wedding.. its going to be been there, done that, ate that etc.

AlliNMatt06 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:47 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

I agree with June262004, a wedding is a special day. I am not even having a E-Party, and if I did have one I would just have it at a restaurant or a nights of Columbus. I have never even heard of having a E-party at such a fancy hall. Save your money and have it somewhere cheaper. It will make your wedding day more special.

AJsMommy122 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:49 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Well in your defense my fh's cousin had her eparty at russos. but she didnt go crazy doing the vienesse hour and everything. she also had a dj and then at the wedding had a band. BUT she didnt have the wedding at russos she had it someplace really nice in staten island. IMO nicer then russos which was good b/c honestly after having her eparty there everyone expected something REALLY REALLY nice for the wedding. I think your wedding should be a huge step up from your eparty, thats why its hard to try and have an eparty someplace really 'Fancy' or however you want to put it.

AlliNMatt06 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:54 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Hey soon2bMsZ, I am also going to be a Mrs. Z. You don't here of to many people with the last name starting with a Z.

AJsMommy122 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 01:55 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

lol what kind of Z will u be?
Im a future Zerilli. It is pretty rare huh?
I love my future last name! cant wait to get rid of mine! lol

Rina Posted: Sep 12, 2004 02:00 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

I don't want to be tempted w/ the prices that my cousin told me he could get for Russo's. I also agree w/ you ladies...if I have my e-party at Russo's...how the hell am I going to top off my wedding! Granted there will be different things,( ex. Band instead of DJ, etc)....but there's nothing new. The menu stays the same...the Viennesian Hour is the same...same marble...same bathrooms, etc..you get the point. I want to keep my e-party to immediate family/ cloooooose friends....so that would mean that only those people not invited to my e-party would be able to experience it 'for the first time w/ me'....But...I still know (and those invited to the e-party)....it's still the same.

I'm curious...I'm going to do another post....
'Girls who had there e-party at Russo's, where did you get married?'

Thank-you ladies for helping and being honest...I really appreciate all your advice.

AlliNMatt06 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 02:01 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Mine is Zausin, Very rare, its Slovak.

AJsMommy122 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 02:03 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

thats a very pretty last name!

To the Mrs Z's! ( all 2 of us!) lol

marymoon Posted: Sep 12, 2004 09:39 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Honestly, I think it's worth whatver extra $$ it woul cost to ave the e-party at sadncastle, so you don't have wedding and e-party at the same place. Honestly. I think it makes your wedding anticlimactic. And where cna you go after Russo's? I REALLY wouldn't do that! You don't want your wedding to be been there, done that.

ETA: If you decide to have your wedding somewhere other that russo's, then you have to try to 'beat' Russos', and I don't know how much you can beat Russo's by. I think it's probably better to keep it separate and make SURE you can make your wedding a BIG step up, or at least quite different from your e-party.

ChristineC68 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 09:44 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

What does your contract with the Sand Castle state? A lot of places state the deposit is non-refundable.

I agree with the others about having the e-party & wedding in the same place. There are too many places around here that it's really not necessary plus, like others stated you want your wedding to stand out as something extra special from your e-party.

ETA - can your cousin get you the price break for the Wedding?

JimmysBride Posted: Sep 12, 2004 09:48 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

Definitely don't have your wedding and E-party in the same place. Anticlimactic is exactly the word. You should discuss pricing with SC if you really want a better deal (i.e. cutting the viennesse hour, lowering your minimum, etc) and save the 'deal' your friend is going to get you at Russo's for your wedding.

MrsK-in-June05 Posted: Sep 12, 2004 10:02 AM

Re: Do you think I will be able to get my $500 deposit back from SandCastle?

i THINK IT IS TACKY TO HAVE AN EPARTY IN THE TIVOLI ROOM WITH THE COMING THRU THE (damn caps) floor and the wall and that jazz. I also find it weird to make such a big deal about an eparty. I had mine catered at my MOH's apt in Manhattan with a gorgeous view of the River and all the buildings. I believe it was catered by fresh direct with about 40 people and it was a blast. You are not supposed to invite everyone who is invited to a wedding to an eparty. It is for the close/immediate family, people that live in-town, bridal party and very very close friends. It is an intimate occassion announcing your marriage to people that really matter not Aunt Joanne's friend from high school's Mah Jong friend Ann.