Hello guys where do I begin??

So True! BUt I really want a nice warm weather.

I am a 2012 bride but here is my input:

May should be a good month. Also, early June.

September is beautiful but can be humid. The end of September is more mild but still beautiful.

I would say to pick the reception hall first but I had a particular date in mind when I went to visit. I would definitely set the RH but I don't 100% agree with booking everything else so far in advanced because I did this and changed my mind several times. Go to a few bridal shows before you book your photographer and video as well as florist. In my experience: there was a particular photographer I wanted who ended up being booked 1 year out...so I booked someone else who was convenient. However 5 months before our wedding (now) I met with another photographer that I am 100% more happy with his work and he was available on my date.

I also thought I knew what dress I wanted until it came down to the ordering deadline and I completely changed my mind!

What reception halls are you thinking of?

Start with your RH. Get your glist together so u know about how many ppl your going to invite. This way you'll know how big of a rm u need and also about how much u will end up spending once u get per per rates. If u want May then I say stick to it. U can be more flexible maybe with the day.. instead of Sat u can do a Fri/Sun which is usually much cheaper. I was dead set on Sat Oct 5 but when I realized I would save $30+ pp which equals an almost $4000 savings for me I changed it to Sunday the 6th.

Start doing your research on halls. Those u are interested in give them a call and ask about availability and pricing. Some RH wont gve u pricing over the phone which was highly annoying to me and also a turn off. I didnt want to go to a place, fall in love and realize we couldnt afford it.

Also, try to come up with a budget. FH and I were looking for halls that were less than $100pp. Remember that whatever pricing you get it most likely will not include the tax and service charges so be sure to add on about another 20% of the pp rate. For ex: if its $100pp + 20% your really looking at $120pp.

HTH

let try this again! LIW keeps kicking me off!!!! I am about to scream!! anyway:

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. Remember that whatever pricing you get it most likely will not include the tax and service charges so be sure to add on about another 20% of the pp rate. For ex: if its $100pp + 20% your really looking at $120pp.

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THIS!

I went into it not knowing when, where, what. I thought whatever the best price was and nicest hall. Some places consider it wedding season Memorial Day through Labor, others consider it April to October (cough:: Inn at New Hyde Park ::cough). I found, what I think is, a great price for the Memorial Day Sunday.

Good Luck and Happy Looking!

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Posted by Royalgem21

I am a 2012 bride but here is my input:

May should be a good month. Also, early June.

September is beautiful but can be humid. The end of September is more mild but still beautiful.

I would say to pick the reception hall first but I had a particular date in mind when I went to visit. I would definitely set the RH but I don't 100% agree with booking everything else so far in advanced because I did this and changed my mind several times. Go to a few bridal shows before you book your photographer and video as well as florist. In my experience: there was a particular photographer I wanted who ended up being booked 1 year out...so I booked someone else who was convenient. However 5 months before our wedding (now) I met with another photographer that I am 100% more happy with his work and he was available on my date.

I also thought I knew what dress I wanted until it came down to the ordering deadline and I completely changed my mind!

What reception halls are you thinking of?

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Thank you for your input! FH and I like the end of May, I wanna try out swan club,and westbury manor is my top two. I love the whole victorian mansion like, but I don't wanna pay a arm and a leg for it. I love The Dowling mansion but its way too expensive.... Im trying to stay within 9600-11k including tax just for the RH.

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Posted by jassy119

Start with your RH. Get your glist together so u know about how many ppl your going to invite. This way you'll know how big of a rm u need and also about how much u will end up spending once u get per per rates. If u want May then I say stick to it. U can be more flexible maybe with the day.. instead of Sat u can do a Fri/Sun which is usually much cheaper. I was dead set on Sat Oct 5 but when I realized I would save $30+ pp which equals an almost $4000 savings for me I changed it to Sunday the 6th.

Start doing your research on halls. Those u are interested in give them a call and ask about availability and pricing. Some RH wont gve u pricing over the phone which was highly annoying to me and also a turn off. I didnt want to go to a place, fall in love and realize we couldnt afford it.

Also, try to come up with a budget. FH and I were looking for halls that were less than $100pp. Remember that whatever pricing you get it most likely will not include the tax and service charges so be sure to add on about another 20% of the pp rate. For ex: if its $100pp + 20% your really looking at $120pp.

HTH

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Im Looking into swan club, can you FM the prices you got! Thanks

I went into it not knowing when, where, what. I thought whatever the best price was and nicest hall. Some places consider it wedding season Memorial Day through Labor, others consider it April to October (cough:: Inn at New Hyde Park ::cough). I found, what I think is, a great price for the Memorial Day Sunday.

Good Luck and Happy Looking!

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I would say that you should do RH first, but def have a timeframe in mind. I agree with you that you should look at the holiday weekends when it comes to pricing, but there's a lot of stress that comes with it too!!

All I can say is don't settle!! Always see if you can get something thrown in, decrease your minimum, decrease the price pp, etc. I've been doing it since I started booking and I don't think I'm paying 'asking price' for anything as of yet. Good luck and remember to HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!

ETA: Also remember to ask about tips, gratuity, tax, etc. This can drastically change the price pp!! I noticed that with one hall I went to- I thought it was a great price until I looked at 'upgrades' and everything else.

i dunno if you plan to get married in a church or at the hall, but before you book the hall, check with your church first...i'm right at the stage now where the RH is holding my date, haven't left a deposit and i called the church but they told me they won't give me info on dates over the phone and i HAVE to meet with the priest and my fiance (all three of us), be interviewed and then sign paperwork before a i can book a day...just something to keep in mind...

but i agree...formulate guest list first, see how many people you roughly expect...then take ur total RH budget and divide it by the number of people to get your per head price....remember that price has to include tax and 20% gratuity....all my RH had site fee's or executive fees because i wanted a mansion, so watch for any additional fees...

a lot of halls i went to varied in their prime seasons...some places told me may/june, sept/oct are the prime seasons and july/august were actually cheaper...some said their high season is now may-oct and that oct is the new june...so if your flexible with dates and days of the week, you'll have flexibility in pricing...

after you book the ?church?, RH...then it's up to you to shop the vendors...i would personally choose a photographer and music first because some of those vendors only have so many people they can send out to so many weddings...you don't want to risk not getting what you want...something like flowers, depending on the size of the shop and time of the weddings, could probably do several a day...

all IMO

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Posted by sportif7

i dunno if you plan to get married in a church or at the hall, but before you book the hall, check with your church first...i'm right at the stage now where the RH is holding my date, haven't left a deposit and i called the church but they told me they won't give me info on dates over the phone and i HAVE to meet with the priest and my fiance (all three of us), be interviewed and then sign paperwork before a i can book a day...just something to keep in mind...

but i agree...formulate guest list first, see how many people you roughly expect...then take ur total RH budget and divide it by the number of people to get your per head price....remember that price has to include tax and 20% gratuity....all my RH had site fee's or executive fees because i wanted a mansion, so watch for any additional fees...

a lot of halls i went to varied in their prime seasons...some places told me may/june, sept/oct are the prime seasons and july/august were actually cheaper...some said their high season is now may-oct and that oct is the new june...so if your flexible with dates and days of the week, you'll have flexibility in pricing...

after you book the ?church?, RH...then it's up to you to shop the vendors...i would personally choose a photographer and music first because some of those vendors only have so many people they can send out to so many weddings...you don't want to risk not getting what you want...something like flowers, depending on the size of the shop and time of the weddings, could probably do several a day...

all IMO

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I see what you're saying about booking early. I know you are mentioned photographer and music but as I'm getting closer and closer to my wedding.... what I 'want' has changed several times.
I changed our band to a DJ, the honeymoon, our photographer, my dress, the invitations, the flowers (centerpieces and bouquets), it's insane.

It's hard to judge what is a good 'deal' if you are not exactly sure yet what you really want. I was so sure I knew what kind of dress I wanted..... and I changed to something else last minute. Same with the flowers. I thought I loved what we picked originally and then I ended up hating it and changed it all!
Also, it's dangerous to get deposit happy. We booked a few things that I look back and say..... did we really need that? I'm sure it will be great but some things are not necessary looking back.

The church definitely is right up there with choosing a reception hall!

Pretty_in_Pink... How many guests are you planning on inviting?

I completely agree about booking too early and changing your mind. This is why I havent even wanted to look for my dress because I know I will find one that I HAVE TO HAVE and then I will change my mind when the wedding is closer.

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Posted by Soon2BMrsB2012

I completely agree about booking too early and changing your mind. This is why I havent even wanted to look for my dress because I know I will find one that I HAVE TO HAVE and then I will change my mind when the wedding is closer.

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Trust me... I changed it and thought I was set on the 2nd choice. Then, I changed it again!!!

I think you need to just do what's right for you. I personally know that I've been thinking about this day for longer than I've been engaged, so I had an idea of what I wanted already. Some people like to book really early, some like to wait; it's all personal preference. Don't start making yourself crazy over 'will I like this in 2 years?' or 'will I regret not booking now?' it will just make you nuts and take away from the experience. Go look at whatever you want, whenever you want- book early, book a month before- do whatever feels right for you and FH. But, like I said before, ENJOY IT! Don't make it a headache when it should be the best time of your life!!

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Posted by Royalgem21

Pretty_in_Pink... How many guests are you planning on inviting?

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Any where from 100-120 guest.

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Posted by Pretty_In_Pink

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Posted by Royalgem21

Pretty_in_Pink... How many guests are you planning on inviting?

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Any where from 100-120 guest.

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If you are set on an evening wedding... Crest Hollow Country Club is a great choice. The price should be just under 10k...unless they charge higher for May. If so, I don't think it's anything unreasonable. Also, Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook would be closer to 11k. Food is delicious there.

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Posted by SummerBeauty

Any elements that are a must for your RH?

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I want a RH with a great scenic view like swan club with the water and nice greenery. I love the historical mansion field like westbury manor. I'm still looking.