Hello everyone! I am newly engaged (October 30th) My FH and I had the ring designed by Elsa so I knew it was coming and had already started planning in my head of where to have it, etc. So now I get the ring of my dreams and I figure I'm off to start planning the wedding of my dreams. First stop the Riviera. What's with this minimum for Saturday night? My mother agreed to pay for 100 people. So I called the North Ritz Club....200 people minium. Now my mother informs me that she was expecting to pay $50 a head and why can't I get a DJ for $500? I just got back from the expo at the Riviera and sat down with mom and explained that things cost a little more than they did 35 years ago (her dinner cost $11 a person). Now she says everything is way too expensive and can't pay for anything more than $5K. By my calculations the reception is 10K, DJ 1500, Photo 2K. Is there any advice anyone can give as to where I can have a 120 person wedding on a saturday night that has great food that is not way expensive? Are my figures accurate that it's going to cost 15K for a bottom of the range wedding? I'm so upset right now because I'm dissapointed. My FH who is the most wonderful man in the world said we should just elope now and forget about the wedding if it going to make me so upset...but not have a wedding? I don't think I could bare it. I'm sorry I just unburdened byself but I guess any input anyone has would be so appreciated. Thank you
bogiedmb41
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
where do you live?
LO13LO13
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
don't be so sad....you should be enjoying this. if you guys really want a wedding is there a way you guys could save up the money, and just let your mom contribute what she can? weddings are expensive no matter what these days!! i think you should try to save up and do what you want b/c it sounds like you really want a wedding. good luck!
cocoa
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
to be honest, you could do it for 15 to 20...however, you will need to make some changes. first of all, a saturday night will be much more expensive than a sunday wedding. secondly, may through september will be more expensive. it will be HARD to find a place that will do it for 50 per person, but you will find places that will do it for 65! you just need to do your research. There are many women on this board who were able to afford 35K and up weddings, but there are also a ton more who couldn't, so trust me when i say it can be done, but you may have to stretch your budget a bit. don't be miserable...parents are a little unprepared for the cost...they don't realize how much it really costs. good luck!
CubanBride
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
Our wedding is for 85 guests and it's costing us slightlyless than $15K. It's going to be difficult to do it for less than that.
Look at Friday afternoon weddings. They can be less expensive. Also, look at American Legion halls. Some of them are really nice and can give you a good deal. Also check out some al-inclusives. I think Ariana Waterfall has complete packages starting at $9,000.
janwinterbridejoy
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
i think you can do it for that price as well but i do think you have to start looking into other days of the week. i think a friday night which is what i had is a great alternative to a sat night. you can also do a sunday either elegant daytime wedding or an evening wedding. you might also want to think about having a winter wedding or maybe a march when the peak season is upon you and you get a better deal. good luck you can do it dont give up
Mrs.Ptobe
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
All the above suggestions were good. To me if it means that much to have the wedding of your dreams and you know you love this guy (obviously) could it hurt to put off the wedding an extra year or so and you could save some extra money yourself? Save your loose change (get yourself one of those auto change sorters for like $20.) - it adds up, take on a second p/t job. My father too has some very outdated thoughts on how much things cost these days. Not to mention he has no idea why I'd want to chance the weather for an outdoor wedding - but I think in the 1960's when my p's married most people were getting married in a house of worship! We bought a house first so our budget is VERY tight. All our 'spare' change goes to the mortgage, taxes, etc. We also know we want a bigger house within the next 5 years so we're really trying to make a dent. I still want a nice wedding of course, but to do that I understood that I'd have to wait a bit, but we're together, that's what counts. When the time's right the wedding will follow (our thing is when we're ready to procreate then it'll be important to 'make it legal), but to force it will either leave you in too much debt or without what you really want. Debt isn't really the best way to go into a new marriage either - money can put a lot of stress on a marriage and a new marriage is more fragile. A wedding, as much as I can't wait for my own, is just a day, love is everyday - that's what matters. Don't make yourself miserable over this - it can start to bring down your relationship - trust me on that one.
myasmom
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
Amen Mrs.P I have seen so many negative things come ou of wedding planning..even relationships ending because the bride had to have a 'perfect' wedding. $$$ doesnt mean a perfect wedding. I have been to expensive weddings catered by one of the best caterers in the business and people felt the food was awful. Mind u this was 150+ and up. I have also been to less $$ weddings and had a positive experience aand vice versa. So I realized that its details that make a wedding. You can hae a great wedding on a budget..does anyone watch For better or Worse on TLC..they have a budget of 5k and someo f these weddings look more fun and elegant than some of teh 100K bashes I have seen. So do research and bargain..you may be surprised.
TracyInQueens
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
We were married on a Friday night and we saved a lot of money. I would definitely suggest that as a place to begin. Good luck!
LuckyMe
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
FM waiting
eogara
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
First of all, welcome to the site and congrats on your engagement!
Second of all, the others are right about the Saturday night wedding thing. You may have to budge on that. I'm having a Sunday night wedding for budget reasons (the exact same wedding would have cost about $9,000 more on Saturday night). You don't have to do Sunday night - every other time slot is less expensive than Sat night. Also, the minimums are usually higher for a Sat night.
Check out the Stewart Manor Country Club (website) and the Brentwood Country Club (website) - both have all-inclusive packages. Brentwood's is advertised as starting at $8995 for 100 people (includes invitations, photographer, dj, etc).
Good luck!!
Borricuamorena0905
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
Congrats and Welcome!
Check out ArianaWaterfall.com
THey also have an all-inclusive package starting at $7995..Complete Photographer Package, Complete videographer, 100 pp, ice sculpters, 10 centerpieces and a limo... Can't beat it!
That's where I'm heading! and a few other ladies here on LIW!
Good Luck! Where there is a will , there's a way!
didianita
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
I know for a fact that a satuday night wedding is more expensive, but i'm going to recommend Stewart Manor Country Club to you, i had my wedding there and everything was beautiful, you can FM me if you want more info. I only have the nicest things to say about Stewart Manor.
leighdvm
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
I recommend the Brentwood Country Club or the Meditteranean Manor. You will get an all-inclusive package for under 10K. It CAN be done!!!!!!!!! Don't give up hope!! Give those places a call and check it out. I also agree with the ladies here as far as choosing an alternate date. Saturday is the most expensive. Also, check out other times of the year. I'm getting married in February and am saving a TON of money that way. Good luck!!
jessnyc711
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
Don't be depressed! It is mind blowing how expensive a 'simple' wedding can be, I know that, but thats reality for these times. You have to really do your research to cut back on your budget and decide what vendors you don't want to pay alot for. Make a priorty list of whats really important to create the wedding you want and then research every cost savings tip you can. Use this site to get ideas. BE CREATIVE! there is a number of things you can do and make to cut costs. And like what the other ladies said, start a savings plan, maybe set the date for two years from now, watch what you spend from now on, less nights out, no vacations until after the wedding etc. GOOD LUCK!!
SANDNOV12
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
I sent you FM
SFP0214
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
Try george washington manor. Your figures are pretty correct unfotunelty.. except photog might be up to 4000 depending on the album and the dj you can get for less than 1000
jenifer99
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
how about the coral house?
MrsJ
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
I would have a Friday night wedding to cut the cost. There are a lot of places that will be right around the $100 mark for a Friday - maybe you need to change the month of the weddinf to an off-peak month - like March. Good luck, you will find something. But just FYI I only wanted to spend $20k and I'm quite a bit over and that was being REALLY CAREFUL
SomethingBlu
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Re: My first post here and I'm downright miserable
Just wanted to say welcome! I too am new to the boards and have found many of these ladies to be wonderful resources for ideas and advice. The general consensus is right, it will be VERY hard to have a Saturday wedding in your price range. I'm getting married on a Friday in May and only had to guarantee 100pp. My budget for the wedding including all vendors, stationary (invites too!), rings, dress, etc (not HM) is $20 K (CH alone is $9100). It can be done for less, it can be done for more, you just have to find what works for you. Don't let the 'business' side of weddings overwhelm you. It sounds like you have a wonderful fiance; focus on why you're getting married and if you need to take your Mom up on her offer of $5K(way more than what a lot of us are getting...my parents are not contributing) do so, and consider having a long engagement and saving toward the wedding that's right for you...congratulations!
