First visit to reception halls!!

We went to check out the Fox Hollow and Westbury Manor last night! Planning for our wedding is finally starting to feel 'real'. Both venues are beautiful-their wedding day services sound perfect (food, cake, cocktail hour, etc.). The problem? Money, of course. We were quoted $100+ for a Saturday next fall. I am new to this-and would appreciate anyone''''''''''''''''s expert advice. Can I talk these prices down? I''''''''''''''''d loooove to have our reception at one of these places, but I am afraid that we will be way, way over budget. I knew the price per person would be up there, I just didn''''''''''''''''t realize how much! Also, if a banquet manager gives you a minimum # of guests to guarantee, does that include vendors and children (or just full paying)? I''''''''''''''''d appreciate any advice that you can give me for the next reception hall visits that I will make this weekend. Thank you :)

First visit to reception halls!!

We were told that the minimum would have to be met or kids would be full price. After the minimum is met than kids are half price. He gave us a cut on vendors also which are not included in the minimum. (I think most places do not charge full price for vendors but I am not positive about that.) When we were shopping around we told them what we were looking to spend and they told us what they could do for us in that price range if anything. We really loved the Swan Club (which is where we booked) but it was a little more than our budget allowed so he told us what the cost would be for a Friday night which was cheaper and fine with us. I think places would be willing to work with you. I had a few places say that they would be willing to go down on price. It couldn`t hurt to ask.

First visit to reception halls!!

Hi Frannie Those are both beautiful venues. You will do fine with either one. But keep looking until you are absolutely sure. We found that there little room on the quoted price if you are insisting on prime time; however, there is room to negotiate extras like seafood boat, cordial bar etc. The other way to bring the PP price down is to pick a time other than Sat night, go into the winter season or pick a day like the Friday after Thanksgiving. You will also find slightly better pricing on your other vendors as well. Regarding the minimum that number changes with the time too. What they are quoting is the number of people you will have to pay full price for. Many places give you a discount for children and vendors once you meet your full price minimum. Welcome to the boads and ask away!

First visit to reception halls!!

i fell in love with a hall that was 140 pp on a sat night... although my heart was set on sat night, I REALLY wanted that hall, so I chose sun afternoon instead. sun night was even less expensive. the halls want to guarentee a certain amount of money coming in. If you don't meet your min - you don't have to pay the discounted price for the vendors and children b/c they would be included in your minimum (at full price)...then I think if you are under you can negotiate for a little extra. You may feel a little more comfortable booking a place where you know you will meet the minimum.

First visit to reception halls!!

Honestly, there are so many beautiful places to get married on LI. You should keep looking. If you go over budget on the hall you will have to cut your budget for photo, video, flowers. What is more important to you? Also, check and see if they require you use their florist or other vendors. The house vendors can be more costly because they know you have to use them. My advise...keep looking. I bet you find exactly what you want at the price you can pay. Or change your day/time/season and bring the cost down that way. Let us know how it turns out.

Some Suggestions

Dear FrannieK There are many, many reception halls to choose from. I'd do a bit more research before I'd even go to visit the halls. What I did when I was looking for my hall we get a list of all of the catering halls on long island. Specifically the ones on the water. Then I started calling them up to ask them what their price per person was on a Sat afternoon, Sat night and Sun afternoon and Sun night during the month I wanted to get married. After many phone calls and many visits, we decided on the Riviera of Massapequa, it's right on the water and a very nice place. Here are some links to reception hall lists. If you have any more questions, please let me know. Good luck with everything! Vickfl77 This site pretty much lists all of the catering halls on long island w/ address and phone number, just call up and find out the price per person. http://www.cateringhall.com/HallDir/ny/LI.html This is a list of all the places on the water in long island and most of them do weddings. http://www.dininglongisland.com/awater.htm Good luck! Hope this helps!

Primetime

I am having my wedding next fall too. In case you didn't know, Saturdays in October are the #1 time to have a wedding in this area. It was very important that we have a Saturday night so we looked until we found a perfect place for us with no min.! (Thank goodness or I would be stressed) Honestly, it will be difficult to find someplace nice more much less than that. Maybe try a different season, time of day, day of week, etc..

We booked the Westbury Manor!

We booked the Westbury Manor for next June. At first we wanted a Saturday night but were told that none would be available until June 2003. We then opted for Sunday day, which was cheaper. The one advice that I can give you with negotiating price is to go over the entire menu prior to signing the contract. If they know you are serious and are ready to put a deposit they will work better with you. A few dollars helps! Also negotiate the extras for the cocktail hour before you sign the contract too. We didn't do that before, and now we want to make additions, and it's like they already have you. Although, I do love my banquet manager. I'd be happy to share my experience with you - [email protected]. Good Luck.

First visit to reception halls!!

Hi, I know exactly what you mean about the prices for each person, and on top of that is tax and an 18% gratuity tip! My fiance and I went to John Anthony''s on the Water and talked to Mary-Ann (she''s really nice) and told her about how we are both students and can''t afford such extravagant prices. She said that we could book a holiday or a weekday which would be a lot cheaper. So we settled on Labor Day because we didn''t want it on a regular working day (I want everyone vitalized for my wedding!) and it would still be the summer. Hope this gives you another idea! Good luck!

We are considering Westbury Manor-Cira

Hi, we are also considering the Westbury Manor. Cira, glad to hear that you found a banquet manager that you like! Available dates for 2002 are pretty few and far between, so we have to make a decision too. We'll have to struggle a bit with our budget to pay their prices...but we really like what they have to offer. Not sure how negotiate-any tips? I'd love advice from any Westbury Manor brides! Using their house vendors?? Have a nice day ;)

Westbury Manor - Shellie

Our banquet manager is Susan, tell her Cira told you about her :-)! I would negotiate all the extras before signing - tell her what you want - ie.. my FH wanted two carving stations, so we got two carving stations included in the price. Specify as much upfront. Sunday day is not to bad - we wanted June and paid a bit more, but other months are a bit cheaper. I definitely try to stick with summer,spring or fall - just so you can be out in the grounds. It's what you pay for. Our vendors are Franklin Wayne - Daybreak's night for our band, Spitz and Peck for flowers, Sherwood Triat for photography. Any advice at all - I'm at [email protected]. Good Luck! And let me know.