John Anthonys Brides

Paiz Posted: Feb 06, 2003 03:28 PM

John Anthonys Brides

I should probably just call JAs and ask, but why do things the truly easy way. When do you go in and pick your cake? Is it when you pick the menu?

MarchBride Posted: Feb 06, 2003 03:35 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I had called them awhile back and if I remember correctly you go in about 3 weeks before the wedding. I may need to decide a little earlier because I want to make menu cards and need to finalize my rehearsal dinner menu as well.

Betty Posted: Feb 06, 2003 06:14 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I'm glad you asked this...and I'm glad you are getting married before us MarchBride so you can let us know EVERYTHING .

I was wondering if the first time we go to talk with them about the menu is 3 weeks before? Doesn't that seem very close? I want to make a menu too and I don't want to wait for the last month. Do you think we can pick what we want and just make up the menu w/o making it final? What if they cahnge the menu??

Paiz Posted: Feb 11, 2003 07:20 AM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

That does seem quite close - I want to make menu cards as well. Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

jeng Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:30 AM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

We had our reception at John Anthony's last September, and we met 3 weeks before to choose the menu.
I also did menu cards and wanted more time to do them. I put a draft together, and faxed it to them for them to approve, and they did have corrections for me.
I was told if there were any mistakes that they wouldn't put them out the day of. Can you imagine?? All that work and then not using them

I would suggest choosing your menu before hand and get the ok from them before printing them. I'm not sure what would change, unless you changed your mind on something.

Have fun!

Betty Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:54 AM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

That's a good ides jeng. How long before did you make the cards up?

They don't really change the menu at all do they? If so I think they would let us know when we fax them the draft.

Paiz Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:05 AM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

Thanks, JenG! I think I'd have a stroke if I wasn't able to use them after putting the time and effort in.

p&a91203 Posted: Feb 11, 2003 11:10 AM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

Hi Ladies! I'm crashing your thread b/c I am a Harbor Club bride and there aren't many of us on here.
Since JA's is owned by the same people and pretty much offer the same things...I was wondering if any of you had talked about having a food tasting with your banquet manager? Do they do these?

Betty Posted: Feb 11, 2003 11:16 AM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I went to a bridal show and tasted the food...it was Yummy!!

Thrilled Posted: Feb 11, 2003 12:05 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I am a JA's bride - do they do your table cards? The ones everyone picks up that tell them where to sit? Or do I do that? When do I give them the list?
Do we get a tasting? When do I pick out the cake and how many choices do I have?

jeng Posted: Feb 11, 2003 12:28 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I think I did the menu cards around 2 months before. There menu hadn't changed at all since I booked them in July 2001 till September 2002, so I don't think they change often.

When I was dealing with them, they did not offer tasting except at their scheduled open house which I think is 2x a year.

You do your own place cards. And give them to JA's the week of the reception when you drop everything else off (i.e. final payment, favors, menus). Also the week of, JA's wants lists of your guests arranged different ways. They will give you the forms at your 3 week meeting, but if you're using a spreadsheet, you can generate the same lists way easier. I think they wanted your guest list sorted by table number then alphabetically too. Just something to keep in mind while you're putting your guest list together.

There aren't too many cakes to choose from. I got the impression that any changes besides color to the ones they show you is xtra, like $250 extra! The cake wasn't a priority for me, so it was fine, but a little annoying.

Hope this helps!

p&a91203 Posted: Feb 11, 2003 12:57 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I will have to find out when those 'open houses' are so that we can taste the food.
Also...not so sure why JA does not do place cards...I know the Harbor Club does. Also, the Harbor Club let's you choose any 4 tiered cake- they only asked that I bring a picture of what I wanted it to look like. I would definitely ask about that.

Paiz Posted: Feb 11, 2003 01:03 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I want to say the 'open houses' are March and September? or March and November. Oh hell, I can't remember!

Thrilled Posted: Feb 11, 2003 01:09 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

Jeng - my own place cards? Meaning I have to order them and do them myself as opposed to JA's giving me a batch and me filling them out? totally confused...

And what do you mean they want my guests arranged three different ways? Why?

7-11 Posted: Feb 11, 2003 03:19 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

bump for this. i want to know about the placeards too.

jeng Posted: Feb 11, 2003 03:26 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

JA does supply the placecards, but you fill them out.

As far as the lists go...they want your guest list first listed by table number, and then they want another list done alphabetically. I can't remember if there was a third way or not. Like I said they will give you the forms, or you can print them from a spreadsheet if you have one already. Can't tell you why though.

As far as the cake, every cake picture I sent them would cost me extra, and they were fairly simple designs. So I would look into it and not wait until 3 weeks before. Here's one of the designs I liked that would have been extra (event though flowers would have been supplied by my florist) ...

Does that help??

269554_1.jpg

Betty Posted: Feb 11, 2003 03:47 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

That cake is 3 tier. Do they offer 4 tier. Stcked and tiered (w/ the pillars in between layers)?

Thrilled Posted: Feb 11, 2003 04:34 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

Let me ask you this: If i DID order my own placecards (that matched my invitations and programs for example), will they let me use them? They would, right?

And were the cakes you had to choose from decent? I am super low maintenance on the cakes - not really a priority - but I do at least want an attractive one.

Betty Posted: Feb 11, 2003 06:57 PM

Re: John Anthonys Brides

I'm the same way as Thrilled with the cakes. That is not a top priority.

As far as I know you can use your own placecards (my friend is but not at JA) They give you a basic one as a courtesy.