Help! Has anyone had/been to a day wedding at East Wind?!?

Hi everyone...I am going into a bit of a panic and I am in need of a little help.

My FH and I went to visit East Wind and fell in love with Northampton Ballroom, so much so, that I did not hesitate in putting the deposit to hold the date we wanted. With that being said...I had been planning for a day wedding all along (I'm not a night person), and when I showed one of my bridesmaids a picture of the ballroom, she said it was too bright to 'set the mood' for dancing and that no one would dance if it is too bright. Does anyone else agree? I am so dissapointed because here I thought that our endless search for a RH was over and I really didn't want to look for a new place, but I will if no one is going to dance or have fun.

Does anyone know someone who has had a day wedding in the Northampton or Southampton Ballrooms at East Wind? Was it really too bright to get everyone in the party mood?

And if anyone has photos of what the room looked like for a day wedding, I would appreciate it so very very much!

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Posted by MnM182008

I have. I find that a lot of day weddings are toned down compared to a night wedding. For one thing less alcohol is being consumed, but I think it really depends on the crowd. If you want a day wedding you should have one. The east wind may be bright but so are all the other catering halls on a sunny day. If you want to make it a little darker have it start at 4, its still light out but it will be more towards the evening.

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I agree. The wedding I attended at East Wind was afternoon and there was not that much dancing but the couple and guests weren't the fun type of crowd so it's hard to say why. The room was also way to big for the number of people they had so it felt like a poorly attended party (= no dancing). If you have the right DJ and the room isn't too large for your wedding size, you should be okay.

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Posted by MnM182008

I have. I find that a lot of day weddings are toned down compared to a night wedding. For one thing less alcohol is being consumed, but I think it really depends on the crowd. If you want a day wedding you should have one. The east wind may be bright but so are all the other catering halls on a sunny day. If you want to make it a little darker have it start at 4, its still light out but it will be more towards the evening.

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Unfortunately, I cannot pick the time it starts. Day weddings are from 12:00 - 5:30, the night from 5:30 - 11:00. If we decide to do a night wedding, we definately have to do it elsewhere because our guest list is not enough to book the room. :( they said that they could waive that, but they would have to charge more per person.

I am so torn. The room is beautiful but it has huge (beautiful) skylights that let in a lot of light. I was even telling my BM (while in panic-mode) that I was thinking about finding a way to get tension rods and some kind of draping to cover the skylights...luckily she knocked some sense into me.

The room is beautiful.

I think day weddings are generally more tone-down in terms of dancing and drinking, wherever you are, but if people want to dance, they'll dance, and how lit up the room isn't going to be the decider.

I think you should be careful what you tell this bridesmaid going forward, don't let her rain on your parade!!!

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Posted by Tracey1979

The room is beautiful.

I think day weddings are generally more tone-down in terms of dancing and drinking, wherever you are, but if people want to dance, they'll dance, and how lit up the room isn't going to be the decider.

I think you should be careful what you tell this bridesmaid going forward, don't let her rain on your parade!!!

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Thank you...I'm starting to feel more calm. My FH and I went to see another RH this afternoon and it does not even compare. Its going to be hard to find a place I like more than East Wind.

Maybe you can change your date just prior to daylight savings, that way it will be dark early, if it's really a concern. You could prob get it cheaper to in the late winter/early springtime.

And everyone else is right. Normally during daytime weddings, its a little more low key. It wouldnt bother me too much though. People will dance, but perhaps it just wont be as crazy as a night time wedding, that's fueled with normally alot more alcohol intake.

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Posted by Robsgirl09

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Posted by Tracey1979

The room is beautiful.

I think day weddings are generally more tone-down in terms of dancing and drinking, wherever you are, but if people want to dance, they'll dance, and how lit up the room isn't going to be the decider.

I think you should be careful what you tell this bridesmaid going forward, don't let her rain on your parade!!!

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Thank you...I'm starting to feel more calm. My FH and I went to see another RH this afternoon and it does not even compare. Its going to be hard to find a place I like more than East Wind.

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Everything is great there, the food is so good, I am so happy with my decision. How many people are you having, maybe the Country Gardens is an option? Or express your concern to East Wind, they will show you albums, etc.

And I mean it about be careful about letting people rain on your parade - I have one BM who does that, so I don't tell her to much, and NEVER ask for advice.

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Posted by Tracey1979

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Posted by Robsgirl09

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Posted by Tracey1979

The room is beautiful.

I think day weddings are generally more tone-down in terms of dancing and drinking, wherever you are, but if people want to dance, they'll dance, and how lit up the room isn't going to be the decider.

I think you should be careful what you tell this bridesmaid going forward, don't let her rain on your parade!!!

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Thank you...I'm starting to feel more calm. My FH and I went to see another RH this afternoon and it does not even compare. Its going to be hard to find a place I like more than East Wind.

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Everything is great there, the food is so good, I am so happy with my decision. How many people are you having, maybe the Country Gardens is an option? Or express your concern to East Wind, they will show you albums, etc.

And I mean it about be careful about letting people rain on your parade - I have one BM who does that, so I don't tell her to much, and NEVER ask for advice.

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Thanks for the advice. We saw the Country Gardens but feel it might be a little too small. We are inviting about 170, but expecting 150 or so.

I was at an evening wedding at the East Wind. The place is gorgeous and the food was fantastic.
IMO I think it is better appreciated in the day when you can see the lovely grounds. Your wedding is a celebration...there will be alcohol, great food and company in an awesome setting. I think people will get up and party no matter what the time of day!

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Posted by caper24

I was at an evening wedding at the East Wind. The place is gorgeous and the food was fantastic.
IMO I think it is better appreciated in the day when you can see the lovely grounds. Your wedding is a celebration...there will be alcohol, great food and company in an awesome setting. I think people will get up and party no matter what the time of day!

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very good point re: the grounds. and you will get good pictures during the day.

what is the minimum they would make you guarantee for the estate?

I think people will dance no matter what. It's a Wedding!

Also, was the picture one from their brochure or their website? If so, any business is going to advertise their rooms in a picture where the light is hitting the room 'just so'. Your room may not actually have that same amount of lighting on the day of your wedding. Also, you have to account for things in the photo like camera angle, artificial lighting, time of day, time of year, etc.

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Posted by Tracey1979

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Posted by caper24

I was at an evening wedding at the East Wind. The place is gorgeous and the food was fantastic.
IMO I think it is better appreciated in the day when you can see the lovely grounds. Your wedding is a celebration...there will be alcohol, great food and company in an awesome setting. I think people will get up and party no matter what the time of day!

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very good point re: the grounds. and you will get good pictures during the day.

what is the minimum they would make you guarantee for the estate?

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To guarantee the Estate for the day you need 150 people, for the night its 185. The same for the 2 ballrooms in the Inn.

The ceremony areas look the same for both, and they are gorgeous.

We are going to be at the estate for a day wedding and I dont think you should be worried at all. I agree it depends on your crowd!

They are having us guarantee 135 for the estate hmm?? Maybe you can talk them down?