So I am a newbie to this world, I''m 27 years old, and I know my future fiance and I have been talking about getting married in 2012. So last week I picked out my engagement ring and sometime at the end of this year he will propose. .......Ok I have a question, I am big on decor for a reception hall, but i am not rich. Is a budget of 20,000 very realistic????? I have been looking at smithtown landing, westbury manor, larkfield what do you think girls??
LoveyDovey
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
depends on what time of year and how many people you will be having...
20,000 in the summer with 200 people- probably will be rough
100 in winter might be better
Bee12
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Congrats and Welcome!!!
For 20K - how many people?
NicoleandMichael
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Well, congratulations to you!! It totally depends on the venue at which you have your reception. The reception location determines your price per-person. There is a very wide range of places. Then you have to decide on your vendors (i.e, your flowers for example can have a very broad range of prices). You first have to decide what your comfortable with spending, and then allocate your budget according to that. I hope this helps!
pjankowski
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
I agree with the other girls.... depends on the time of year and how many people. I would guess that 20 would be rough
Pretty_In_Pink
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Posted by Sunshine15
Congrats and Welcome!!!
For 20K - how many people?
Thanks, I'm excited I want anywhere from 75-100 guest.
Pinkchick913
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Welcome to the site. I'm in the same exact boat as you. My bf and I have looked at rings and I know it's coming with in the next several months(before I'm 30 in August )
I've narrowed down what type of photographer I want, I'm just hoping they are going to be in our budget.
depends on what time of year and how many people you will be having...
20,000 in the summer with 200 people- probably will be rough
100 in winter might be better
I know, i'm looking at 75-100 guest during the summer, if it's too pricey the spring like April.
LoveyDovey
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
i'd go with the spring- prices are about 5-10 dollars less per person...
and you'll just have to be picky about what RH you choose- that will really set the tone for your budget...
when that time comes, us girls here will totally help you with prices and places!
Pretty_In_Pink
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Thanks, I know you all will be here for me. Im really liking June, and I know its a little pricey but I love the warm climate especially if i have cocktail time outside.
HSsweethearts
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Well, think of it this way, teh RH is the biggest part fo the bdget and is usually about 50% of your total budget,
So you'd need a hall that comes in under $10K. So it would have to be $100pp or less INCLUDING tax and tip, so look for halls with a low minimum with a max pp price of $76 (for 100 people). I think it's doable,but if you're set on a Saturday evening in June, you're going to have a hard time. You'll have much better chance on a Sunday afternoon in January, ut there's a lot fo in-between.
For the rest of the budget, go to weddingwire.com or theknot.com and use the budget planner. You put in your budget and it gives you the breakdown of what should be spent on each item based on your budget. If that sounds realistic to you, then go for it!
HSsweethearts
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
I just saw on another thread that someone was quoted $75 pp for a June Saturday at Chateau le Mer. That's a really nice place on the water. It's a very popular choice here on LIW and in fact there's a LIW event going on there right now
DoreenAndScott
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Larkfield on a saturday during the day in october before tax and gratutity is 70 per person. Which i thought was pretty good. Plus i love it there. They'll work with you the best they can.
jenn_eric
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
I honestly think it's going to be hard to get in under $20k. What we found is that 'wedding season' so the higher prices are April-November, and the lower prices are December-March. Sunday afternoon is definitely less expensive, and apparently a new trend is Thursday night. Finding a hall for a reasonable price will be the easy part (well, in relative terms). It's all the extras like flowers, dj/band, photos, dresses, tuxes, etc. that will really kill you. We're having about 130 people on a Sat. night in Oct. and are still finding the budget for the extras is more than the RH.
So I guess since you know that you want to get married in 2012 you have about 2 years at this point to save, so start now.
Good luck!
july2011bride
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
I agree 20k in the summer with 100 guest will be very tight. Everything wedding related cost more in the summer. Especially if you are into decor. Flowers, linens, and decor will send you budget through the roof if you aren't careful.
Nina1010
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
Congratulations on your pending engagement.
This is kinda long...
Agreeing with the other posters...$20K may be a hard sell if you are big on decor, esp for June. Advice for a June wedding... do it in the day time and do not settle...negotiate for money off rather than more extras if need be. Try to pick a place that needs very little added decor. WM is beautiful and also priced competitively BUT they will negotiate. Walk away letting them know you are looking at other places and you'll get back to them. They will call you to check on you and send you a note in the mail for follow-up. Most places do. Do be flexible with date, especially since Fri night, Saturday DAY and Sunday are less expensive (by like 40% sometimes) than a Saturday night. As you are looking at 2012, they will call you to lock in the date. If you are a Sat. night girl, your budget is not very reasonable for many places.
In addition to CLM, I would suggest looking at Swan Club, Fox Hollow and Coral House. Perhaps try late April or early May or even early November as well. Weather can be just as warm, but prices drop significantly.
Once you factor in Church or Ceremony fees, flowers, music, transportation, invitations, dress, tuxes, Photographer / Videographer, BP gifts, Rehearsal Dinner...you get my point... it ADDS up quickly. I can suggest an All Inclusive place like Brentwood COuntry Club...a Saturday night any time of year includes almost every vendor will total about $13K for 100 people, approx. $60 for every person over 100 and their food is good. Its on a golf course, one event at a time and the room is nice. The package is very BASIC, but with reputable vendors. If you want to use a particular photographer, you can swap out and they subtract the cost from you total. Nick G. is a great budget friendly phototgrapher that does not charge overtime and lets you have the rights to your photos. All day with him will run about $1600 or so. The extra money can go toward extra decor upgrades like uplighting, etc. You should check out Brentwood Country Club's website for the exact vendors, but they are a popular a nice choice so they book up fast. Another popular All inclusive is MedManor.com. They have good food too.
HTH.
Bee12
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
ITA with Nina1010 100%
You may need to reconsider the month or pick a venue which offers complete wedding packages.. otherwise you will run over your expected budget.
mrsq2be
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
ITA with nina also. 20K might be a little tight. ESP in june. CLM is very nice, and larkfield will work with you on pricing. they are very reasonable. Pretty much May-October is your peak season I have found. the earlier in May you do it at certain places, the cheaper it is. Good luck!
Junebride2010
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Re: Newbie...Realistic budget?????
I totally think $20,000 in June is doable for 100 guests! You will probably have to compromise on maybe having an afternoon wedding because I don't think many places have low minimums in June for an evening wedding. But you never know. With the economy the way it is anything is possible. I have gotten some amazing deals by doing my research and negotiating!
