Newbie with a plan (and budget!)

Hi All You Bustling Brides!

On my 26th Birthday, my boyfriend (also one of my best friends since 6th grade!) proposed to me! I'm a very lucky girl :)
That was two weeks ago... and in two weeks, I think I've made a little bit of progress.

Once the initial shock wore off, I started googling around and found LIWeddings.com. I had no idea where to set the budget, where to look, what to do first. All I know is that we're paying for it ourselves and we want it to be VERY low-budget, so that we don't have to go into debt to plan it.

In the past two weeks, we came up with a guest list of about 140 people. We shaved that down to about 110 and are even open to shaving it down to 90 or so. It all depends on what the lowest price per head we can get is.

We've set the budget at $8,000. I know this seems next to impossible, but I *think* we can do it. We're very flexible and aren't going to anything monumental here. We're just trying to share our day with our family and friends without breaking the bank.

As a result, we're considering a January 2012 wedding (6 months notice!), on a Sunday afternoon, Cocktail Reception style. One Bride's Maid, one Best Man, no limo, no sit-down dinner, no DJ, some photography. Also, my mom wants to buy me my dress, so we're not factoring that into the budget.

I'm hoping to get a date with a Hall on a day that they thought would not get booked in January. We are literally open to ANY time of year any weekend day and any style reception (except a dry one)!

I have meetings this Saturday with The Thatched Cottage, The Coral Room and Mediterranean Manor. I'm crossing my fingers, praying that we can get the price per head down to somewhere between $50-$60 per head. I know it'll be tough and involve lots of concessions, but I think we can do it, because we're so flexible. If we have to put something together in six months, I'll do it.

I will do anything it takes to come in under our $8,000 budget.

And I'm taking ANY and ALL suggestions, starting NOW. :)

Thank you, ladies!

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Posted by csteen85

We are literally open to ANY time of year any weekend day and any style reception (except a dry one)!

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I like your style.

First of all, congrats & welcome!!

Second of all, check out Douglaston Manor, too!

Third of all, good luck!

Welcome and Congratulations!!

Try Smithtown Landing. They have a spring special for any available Saturday evening in March or April 2012 for $60 p/p ++!!!! We spoke to Rich, who was AMAZING, and he was more than willing to help with anything we threw at him...lol. Check out their website when you get a chance. It's posted under wedding specials. The ballroom is absolutely beautiful and they really go out of their way as far as customer service is concerned. Hope this helps! Good luck and keep us posted

Edited to include: I just checked their site. The spring special for 2012 is still posted. Also, any remaining date for 2011 is $55 p/p ++. Call Rich!

OMG, thank you guys so much! I can't believe what a wealth of information you all are. I'm SURE we'll hit our budget with all of your help :)

I've contacted Douglaston Manor, The Riviera, and now Smithtown Landing.

Thanks again, Ladies!

Congratulations!!!

You seem to know exactly what you want and thats great! Good LUck with all the planning.

Try Chateau La Mer. I was quoted 55 in March so I'm sure January is even lower

welcome and congrats!!!
i dont know if all places do a cocktail only reception but you may want to try Jericho terrace and swan club

happy planning!

Congrats and welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by Soon2BeABC

Welcome and Congrats! Def check out Swan Club, for January a friday night or sunday is 60pp and they have a nice room to accomodate that amount of people!!! Good Luck!

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this!

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Posted by Jmrosa1

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Posted by Soon2BeABC

Welcome and Congrats! Def check out Swan Club, for January a friday night or sunday is 60pp and they have a nice room to accomodate that amount of people!!! Good Luck!

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this!

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I was this and you can prob even get them to come down $5 and thats for a full menu.

Watermill is absolutely gorgeous and gave me an awesome price for June..can't imagine what they could do for January..check it out!

Also-- look Fox Hollow and Westbury Manor which are both beautiful and VERY well priced!

Good luck and congratulations!

Try Sans Souci

Our reception the with CH and buffet and open bar is running $9500 for 114 guests and 4 vendors for a Saturday afternoon in June

When all is said and done, we are at $22000 including dress, DJ, flowers, etc

They space fits 149 and the minimum is 50.... Might be just right for you?

Call and talk to Meryl. She is a sweetheart

congrats and welcome.


You will probably be able to find something with in you budget at the halls you mentioned.

Just a piece of advice... I booked my hall way in advance ... almost 3 years. It had just been bought by a new owner who also owns other halls on LI and had an excellent reputation. Since the place was new and dying for future business I got an amazing price. I know someone who booked a year after me and the are paying 25$ more PP for the same package I am paying for.

Dont know how long you and FH are willing to wait but you can def get a good deal if you rush to get a spot that is not full or you are willing to wait.

Try Miller Place Inn. They have several packages from which you can choose. I was just looking at their website and their Sweet 16 package would actually be perfect for you...if they let you book that package for a wedding. If not, they have 2 wedding packages. What's nice is that, while they offer packages, they're not like a lot of the RHs that offer packages.

Miller Place Inn