Hey everyone! I need some advice regarding an engagement party. FH and I want to have an engagement party; however, we're throwing it ourselves. We were trying to weigh out which way would be cost effective. FH works for the FDNY and is a Volunteer Firefighter as well. He was saying that we could get the hall at the firehouse for very cheap. After you get the hall, you need to get all the food catered, plates, cups, cutlery, decorations, alcohol, cake, and favors etc. I was thinking that in the end, we would end up paying the same amount that we would pay for having it at a restaurant or hall.
I know some halls could accommodate showers and engagement parties. We were thinking of having the party in July of this summer. I would even do it on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to save money. Could anyone recommend any halls or restaurants that have good food and do not have a high price per person? If you have some quotes, that would be great as well. I like the Swan Club and I heard some great things about that place. Any ideas would be great!! I would prefer to stay in the Nassau or Queens area. I will be living in Nassau soon and I have family that will be traveling from New Jersey. TIA!!!
WeezyGirl2354
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Re: Engagement Party
We are having ours at Westbury Manor (mext saturday) and got a better deal there then at a restaurant w/ a private room.
If you did do the fire house thing I think its worth it to price out the food just to see. You might be able to cut costs by making some of the food yourself too or having family/friends help out. If you have access to the space - I would take advantage of it.
If anything do a BBQ - since its the summer - that could be on the cheap side.
Or if you want to do it at a place - try a local bar that serves food and you can do cocktails and appetizers.
If in Nassau in the summer you can check out places on the Nautical Mile in Freeport - like EB Elliots. It's right on the water, plenty of parking and I am sure they can section of space for you. Maybe do like a buffet style type thing.
Summer Bride 2011
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Thanks for the information!
bride2be1012
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Coral quoted me $35 per person for a 3 course meal and passed hors d'oeuvres
FFsBride
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I dont know where you live, but my FH is a firefighter for FDNY as well and we went to Ariana's catering in Staten Island for our EParty (this place is known for their amazing food)
it's $45 pp for open bar (40 for just beer and wine) and a HUGE buffet with delicious food! They do a lot of parties for firemen in the area (not that it really matters lol). It might be far from where you are though... And its a catering hall so it's best to get a DJ also if you chose a place like that. which i know gets expensive (but you'll proably make it back!)
cMm2011
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we had our engagement party in my parents backyard and depending on how many people you have cooking the food yourself is def do-able. We had about 75 ppl
If you didint want to cook it all yourself you could also just have some catered. Also cups plates etc did not add up to as much as you would think.
For us, our backyard e-party was more affordable than going to a hall
Summer Bride 2011
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Re: Engagement Party
Thanks everyone for the advice! I really appreciate it. FF's Bride, that place sounds really nice. I should ask FH if he's heard about it before. Where does your FH work? Is he in the engine or the truck? The engagement party in the backyard does sound like a great idea. FH and I will have a nice size backyard. We're in contract on a house. I think we would be able to handle a large amount of people. I'm just trying to weigh out all my options.Thanks again for your help! :)
20mrsc10
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how many people are you looking for? fh and i had ours at elisas in north bellmore, and it was around 19pp + tax/beverages
Tetelove
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I really think that having your e-party at a house as compared to a reception hall...it will cost SO much more cheaper. We had our e-party this past fourth of July and it was BEAUTIFUL.(Pics in album).
We paid for everything except the food(gift from my Mom) and it wasn't that bad. We had about 60-70 guests and I think that it was the best way to go.
harts2976
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We are doing ours at a Amvets. its 7 pp. But that is just for beer/wine/ soda. We are ordering the food and FH is making some (he's a chef). The cake one of the GM is giving us b/c his dad owns a bakery (they are awesome- check them out- Malverne Bake shop). We had to do the decorations and everything ourselves though. Centerpieces, table clothes all that. We are paying for it but we bought things over time and slowly got things down. Four our centerpieces I didn't want balloons so we did gerberba daisys (3 ) yellow, pink, and orange coming out of wine glass. My cousins idea but looks really cute!
Summer Bride 2011
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Posted by 20mrsc10
how many people are you looking for? fh and i had ours at elisas in north bellmore, and it was around 19pp + tax/beverages
We were looking to have probably about 60-75 people.
chelley720
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If you want to do it at a place my brother went to bj's and got all the dishes and paper goods. We made our own silverwear sets by wraping it with napkins and tieing a ribbon around it they hired 2 ppl to cater it and it turned out great. My parents helped out with the drinks and waited for soda sales and just stocked up. I plan on doing the same thing. There are ways to do it yourself and cut costs but it you dont do your research it doesnt save that much money. Good luck!!!
