My FH and I are planning our engagement party for this summer (we like early July). As we were pricing what it would cost to have it at my future in-law's home/yard it seems like it's going to cost a lot (I had moderate pricing in mind and I liked the house b/c it's simple and elegant).
Now that we see how much it's going for after renting tents, chairs, tables, etc. I'm thinking is it worth it or should we just have it at a place instead?? If so, where?? Any thoughts/ideas that you guys have would really help! I'm all confused now.
Also, if anyone could recommend where they had their engagement party or nice places that they have been to that would be great.
We are having about 120-140 guests so it would need to accomodate that amount. TIA!!!! I really need the advice/help/info!!!!
MsKitty1274
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
Where are you looking to have the engagement party? Nassau, Suffolk, Queens?
SeptBride70
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
Posted by MsKitty1274
Where are you looking to have the engagement party? Nassau, Suffolk, Queens?
DUH, that would help right girls?? I live in Suffolk on the North Shore so my first choice would be Suffolk... but I wouldn't rule out some places in Nassau.
Tina120206
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
Do yourself a favor and have it somewhere else. I am having ours at my FH parents house in two weeks and it has been a NIGHTMARE. Trying to book things, order things, food lists, drink lists, etc, etc. I've threatened to cancel the party, no joke, 3x already. Ugh...I originally wanted it at a restaurant and then his parents offered their house, so I agreed. But in the end, it has been nothing short of a disaster. Save yourself the stress and have a restaurant or hall do all the planning.
MsKitty1274
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
A couple suggestions right off the top of my head are...
The Watermill (not sure the cost you're looking for though)
San Marco Ristorante (in Hauppauge-I went to a party there, good food, nice atmosphere)
thanks so much for the suggestions-- i guess i'm still looking for any other options if anyone has them please!! thanks again so much
...BUMP...
kjs728
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
i had mine at louie's in port washington - really nice room and right on the water
Jweb17
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
we had ours at that historical thatched cottage. it was gorgeous and reasonable. we did a sunday brunch with cocktail seating and it worked out really well. good luck with your search!
06NovBride
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
We had ours at a firehouse, but my dad is a member of the fire dept. i'm not sure if they rent the room out to non-members.
As for places what about the Irish Coffe Pub. They have good food and I believe they are reasonable.
We were going to have our at our FILs and it really would have been such a pain and so much more money than having it at the firehouse.
cpostel
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
We are having ours at Indigo, a restaurant in Huntington Village.....But its just a cocktail party. Just like you our guest list for an engagement party was 120-130 people. When you add the $$$ up to have that many people for a sit down dinner its almost like having a mini wedding. Check them out...The food is great and they can accommodate that many people. For a 3 hour cocktail party it costs $25 a person plus alcohol and tax & gratuity. But a sit down dinner is like $60 plus.... ask for Gary
We had ours at the local fire depts reception room, which was really nice. They provide chairs, tables, and a bar. We had it caterered, hired a lady to serve, and did all the decorations ourselves. We also had a friend dj. It was nice!
Steph62406
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
We had ours in my Mom's backyard it was great everyone had such a great time and know one felt rushed to leave! We even threw in a theme we had a Fiesta!!!
Inkedupkitten
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
we are thinking of doing a casino cruise. since our theme is casino
we orignally were going to do it at one of my bm/s house in her backyard, ya know the whole bbq thing BUT we might do it on the boat...
dianadrw
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
I'd have to agree with tina120206 -- have it in a place! The amount of work and expense to have it at home for that many people to me is just not worth it. Also, I don't know how many bathrooms your in-laws have, but 140 people using 1 or 2 bathrooms is a lot and will wreak havoc on their septic system!
We had my sister-in-law's baby shower at my house a few years ago. We did the whole tent in the backyard thing for about 70 people. Honestly, if I had to do it all over again, I'd have it in a place. The amount of work to me is just not worth it. You want to be able to enjoy yourself and mingle with your guests.
sarahradio5
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Re: Engagement Party... HELP!!
We live in Nassau/Suffolk... and we actually had ours in the Bronx! It was PERFECT! It's a place called 'Frankie and Johnnie's - The Pine'. A-MAZ-ING food. CENTRAL location for out of town guests... right in the middle of LI, SI, Manhattan, NJ, CT, Westchester, not far from PA. That's where a lot of our guests came from... and most of them were amazed at how fast it took them to get there. The room is BEAUTIFUL (they have weddings there), and they even have an outdoor patio attached to the room, which is GREAT for the summer! A lot of famous people go there... the Yankees, Giuliani, the Sopranos cast (the actual restaurant has all memorabilia with Sinatra, the Yanks, actors, etc). My brother DJ'd for us, and everyone was dancing... it was like a mini-wedding. If you want, go there for dinner (it's AMAZING... did I say that already? The Penne a la Vodka is to DIE for). You'll love it! And the OOT guests will appreciate they don't have to do a long drive to LI twice. Here are some of our pics from the day, do you can get an idea of the place and how much fun we had!:
1) me and FH 2) me and Mom 3) me and some friends 4) my MOH and her hubbie
Thanks so much for all the suggestions... It's really a tuff call on this one the more I think about it...
FIL's are paying for 80% of it and my parents are giving us the same amount they gave my sister for her party last summer to be fair which is great--we are very lucky to have everyone helping. My FH and I are paying for the cake and some of the decorations b/c money is so tight right now with him going for his graduate degree and us trying to save for the wedding which we are paying 1/3 of the total cost...
FIL's guest list is large, but they have really tried to cut it down for budget's sake and b/c i really don't want a HUGE affair... It went from 160 on their side alone to about 120 and now it's at around 80-90!! So that was a big help. Now with my side (only about 30-40 people) we are at about 120-130 which is much better than where we started...
Still though, our guests are very generous and I know that they will be getting us nice gifts so I feel bad having a smaller party (meaning food wise) b/c they are being, and have always been so generous with us. FMIL is worried that if we have anything too 'low end' that it will offend some people who spent a lot on us. Of course, she also wants it to be really nice...but with that many people it's hard.
I still think a lot of the suggestions for places (like the irish coffee pub, restaurants, etc) were great so I'm going to look into it. I'm still keeping the yard idea open but it's pricey b/c you don't realize how quickly all the little things you have to order and rent add up!!
THANKS SO MUCH for all the suggestions and I hope if anyone has more they keep posting-- we need ALL the help we can get!!!
