Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

ForeverCaptree Posted: Apr 30, 2012 03:39 PM

Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Hello all,

I just recently got engaged last weekend. Happiest moment of my life. Now comes the fun part...all the planning. My Fiancee and I are in our early 30s. We are looking to get married early next year although a date hasnt been decided just yet. Probable March- April of next year. We just did our guest list and have approx 200 people on our list which is alot. We wanted 100 but it didnt work out so well. Now we are looking for different and unique types of venues to have our wedding but nothing super expensive. We would mostly be paying this ourselves and we would rather in the long run have nothing too crazy because we want to buy a house and start a family. Any suggestions? we wanted to stay away from the catering hall ideas but it might be the most cost effective? What do you think? Help!! and Thank you!!

Jax1127 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 03:51 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Well I would first decide what day you want to have... saturday night is most expensive.

For me the choices were, more $$$ hall and a day we did not want, or a less $$$ hall and the day we wanted. You need to figure out what's most important to you out of all the criteria.

We ended up going with second choice hall, first choice day. March & April are good months, they are more of an off-season than something like June so hall prices will be cheaper and probably will have more dates available.

SMDC2012 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 04:15 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Crashing!!!!!

Just wanted to say hi to my bestie!!!! Yay!!!!

The 2013 ladies are super nice and will take great care of you!!!!! I promise!

Welcome to the boards!!!!!!

FutureMrsSweeney Posted: Apr 30, 2012 04:25 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats on your engagement!

You are off to a great start with joining LIW and doing your guest list. Long Island has so many great halls and locations to get married.

Start doing some research online and check out the vendors on LIW. Make a list, call a few places, and then go visit. You can also post on here for ideas and tips.

We only looked at catering halls, because it's more bang for your buck (if you know what I mean).

pauladanielle Posted: Apr 30, 2012 04:50 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Crashing!! Yes, having a unique venue can really up your budget, especially considering you can probably find a catering hall on long island that will charge you $50-$70 pp and you don't have to worry about coordinating so many different vendors.

Depending on your budget, if you want a unique venue you may want to look into hiring a wedding planner. I know it sounds like a crazy expense, but they know the possibilities and would probably be able to work with your budget to help you find a venue etc. Also, they would be there to coordinate with all of the vendors and make everything look awesome the day-of so you wouldn't have to stress about anything. I know the ladies at A Modern Day Affair do full service planning for anywhere from $1800-$2500, and of course offer smaller packages if you decide to do all the footwork yourself. (I also think Above and Beyond events and Cheeky Glam are in the same range) I would definitely set up a couple appointments with planners - they all offer free consults - and they should be able to tell you if they can work with your budget to make the wedding you want.

Good luck!

Kris10nGerard Posted: Apr 30, 2012 04:50 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats on your engagement and welcome to the boards!

jf418 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 04:53 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

congrats!

i think first set your budget, then decide when/what day of the week... then go from there! probably a catering hall type place is the best bet $$$ wise but you never know! what other types of venues would you be interested in?

AngieJusty Posted: Apr 30, 2012 05:23 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congratulations and welcome!

Joining LIW has been so helpful to me and you meet fabulous ladies. You will surely get lots of ideas on here.

I sent you FM.

LisaReyes Posted: Apr 30, 2012 05:25 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats & welcome! Having a guest list is a great start already! Catering halls are definitely more cost effective, and you might find some that you really like! I got a great deal for booking in March too. A photographer told me when I got engaged to book 'off season.' She said she spent a lot of money to get a summer wedding and it rained the whole day! Good luck!

2013Bride Posted: Apr 30, 2012 05:46 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats!!

Look into Thatched Cottage in Centerport! Beautiful & affordable!!!

tianamarie Posted: Apr 30, 2012 07:06 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

congrats!!!!

word to the wise... day weddings come by way cheaper than evening weddings!

nyrvixen Posted: Apr 30, 2012 07:23 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats and welcome! Def. set a budget before you start looking into venues. Know how much you would want to pay per person (remember that most halls add a 20% service charge) and don't be afraid to negotiate (this is why I bring FH to all meetings). Friday night, Saturday day, and Sunday weddings are cheaper but you nned to figure out if that is what you want. FH and I are on a night schedule due to his job so we really wanted a Saturday night even though Saturday was $10 per person cheaper

mf324 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 07:28 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats!!!

My first piece of advice-- if you want to get married in March-- start looking ASAP!

My FH and I wanted to get married in March of 2013, and I started looking at venues end of March/beginning of April- and I found out that many places are already getting booked up for March and April of next year! We wanted to do a late March wedding, but the only date my venue had available was March 2nd (I wanted a Saturday).

I looked at 10 different venues, so I have quotes for March if you're interested.
In terms of unique venues- I would say check out the Woodlands, the Inn at New Hyde Park, and Lands End. I looked at all three, and they were all gorgeous and very reasonably priced for March. The Bourne Mansion, where I'm getting married, is also very unique too.

Feel free to FM me if you want any quotes-- I'd be happy to help!

Irishbride16 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 07:29 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congrats!@ And welcome!@ Take a deep breath ..okay lol...u need first to set a budget thats the most important thing

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristin31613 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 09:13 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

March is a popular month on here! Esp, my date, I think there are 4 or 5 of us getting married on Mar 16. I found cheaper pricing for Nov-Mar. (I didn't look beyond Mar bc back then I couldn't possibly imagine waiting any longer than that! ) Don't be shy to email venues or call before you go looking. I made it easy for FH (who even admitted this last night to his friend) all I wanted was EW and only looked at another venue bc he insisted. It's a fun but overwhelming process. We are all here to help!

Bride2013 Posted: Apr 30, 2012 10:17 PM

Re: Just got engaged!! Let the planning begin....Any recommendations?

Congratulations and Welcome! i will be getting married in March and having a sunday night wedding. It's cost efficient. Word of advice never let a price discourage you...negotiate is key. You will be surprised. Happy planning!!