New bride needs help

WedGirl1 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 07:00 AM

New bride needs help

Hi! I just got engaged a week ago and am already stressed! So so happy, but stressed :)
I'm sure I'm not the first to feel this way, but here goes...

So, it doesn't seem like my fiance and I will have the budget that we anticipated, and in the NY area it's very tough!

Is it even possible to have a wedding for $20k somewhere in the NY metro area? We'd consider Westchester, Rockland County and Hudson Valley. Anywhere within 2-3 hrs of NYC... We were thinking about 120 guests, and I really have my heart set on a Saturday night (even if it's an off-peak date). How do I make this work? Does anyone have any suggestions...

I really appreciate your help! I am a DIYer and would be willing to make my own centerpieces, borrow a wedding dress from a friend, hire a friend as a dj, etc so that we are able to use the money towards the venue.

Thanks ladies!

Lolablue34 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 07:10 AM

Re: New bride needs help

Absolutely. There are some places that offer fixed price packaging like:

http://www.arianawaterfallcatering.com/

and

http://www.marconimanor.net/

I know Marconi has a few venues from which you can choose and they pretty much include everthing from soup to nuts. Good luck!

Future Mrs H Posted: Jul 28, 2010 08:09 AM

Re: New bride needs help

You have FM

SeptemberBride2012 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 08:11 AM

Re: New bride needs help

I know when I went to Leonards they had prices of like $85 pp - including tax and grat - I was getting prices for a Sunday.... Have you ever considered maybe a Thursday night wedding? Timberpoint Country Club in Great River I think started at like $55 or 60 pp but then plus tax and gratuity.

Gerbera Posted: Jul 28, 2010 08:14 AM

Re: New bride needs help

Aw. I'm sorry you are already so stressed!

I think with a fixed budget the first thing to do is set up your budget. Use a online budget estimate that gives you a rough idea of how much each part of the wedding cost. Using this as a guideline work backwards from your total budget amount and allot a price point to each category.

Stay in that price point when looking at venues and vendors. If they aren't within that price point don't even bother looking! You'll just create yourself heartache.

If something is important enough take the $$ from another category.
IE if you only have 1k for photographer in that budget category. But you LOVE a photographer that's 2K and you and FI feel photog is important enough. Take 1K from something else so that total budget amount remains the same.

Don't forget to factor in gratuity and taxes.

There are TONS of preowned wedding dress sites you can get your dream dress cheap.

Negotiate. Negotiate. Negotiate.

I negotiated with every single vendor.

DIY will save you TONS of money.
Esp in paper goods and flowers.

GL!
And congrats!!!!!!!

sjr385 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 01:18 PM

Re: New bride needs help

Susan2010 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 01:45 PM

Re: New bride needs help

I am having my reception at The Metropolitan in Glen Cove- it is Sat night (one wedding at a time), awesome food!! and our minimum is 120 and it will come in below 20,000 for the hall. You could probably even get a better deal if you did a Friday or Sunday or an afternoon in addition to picking an off season month. I think its definitley worth taking a look at.

Notwedyet08 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 01:55 PM

Re: New bride needs help

welcome & cobgratulations!!!!

is the $20K inclusive of everything (dress; flowers; invites; limo; dj) or just for the recepion?

If it includes everything then you're probably gonna have to look at off seasons (which seems like you're ok with that). My budget is less than yours (and includes everything) so i'm doing a saturday day time in november to cut costs.

I'd look at the months of February & March-they offer the best prices!

Check out these places; they were wiling to give me great prices on saturday daytimes in Feb/March; but we were kind of set on November.

Crest Hollow
Swan Club
Milleridge Cottage
Jericho Terrace
Floral Terrace
Chateau Briand
Douglaston Manor
Villa Lombardi's

kris_gets_hitched Posted: Jul 28, 2010 02:05 PM

Re: New bride needs help

Swan Club! They are amazing!!! I just got married there last month and had a great time! You can definitely do this, especially if you can DIY stuff. I did a lot of DIY projects to save beans.

Welcome and congratulations!

Soon2bMrsH Posted: Jul 28, 2010 02:13 PM

Re: New bride needs help

welcome and congrats!!!
you most certainly can!!!

definitly pick an off season month and that will save lots of money. i know swan club was really good 8 years ago when my brother got married, and the place is really nice, and i know there ppp was like 65 or something.
there are expensive everything, and non expensive everything!!! you can totally make it work. just do your research. use these boards, they are very helpful!

there are also all inclusive catering halls, which include vendors in their price, so look into those.

20K is a lot of money and you can go very far with it. just stay organized, and stay stong.... dont give in to the unecessary stuff.

WedGirl1 Posted: Jul 28, 2010 03:59 PM

Re: New bride needs help

Thanks so much girls :) I really appreciate all your advice! I think I'm going to like these boards!!! Will keep you updated on how it goes!

miamimerger Posted: Jul 28, 2010 04:46 PM

Re: New bride needs help

a lot of catering halls do great packages, especially in the winter time. I was a frugal bride, but I put together a really beautiful wedding (75 guests) for less than $15,000. It's definitely possible.

ETA: I also lived in Ohio during my wedding planning (my DH was finishing his PhD), so I definitely know it's liked to be surprised by how expensive NY weddings are! .

rendel Posted: Jul 28, 2010 05:15 PM

Re: New bride needs help

Also you can try the miller place inn, thatched cottage, Westbury Manor. Mine is at WM and it is $77 pp on a Sunday afternoon in may. I know the price was like $72pp in April for the same room on a Sunday. Seriously don't rule anything out if it means $$$$$ saved!!!!!!! I was amazed at what I got for the price, a continental breakfast for the guests before the ceremony, full bar, linens, cake, one dessert choice, guests have a choice of 7 dishes for dinner, CH with 8 stations!!!!!!!!! You can do it just bargain!!!!!!!