Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Well I finally got to LI this past weekend and I saw our reception room....and I hate it!! We have already put down a deposit at the Danford's but when I saw the room 1) the dance floor is in a seperate room 2) I don't know how it will fit the number of people that we have attending and 3) some of the people will have to sit in a off shoot room (it's attached but it IS a seperate room). Our wedding is only 25 days away, is it too late to change?? FMIL saw the room this weekend too and thinks I might just be over-reacting.

My aunt made some calls today and she found out that the East Wind Country Gardens room is available for the date and time that we wanted. Please be brutally honest...do you think I should switch??
I could print up a change of location card to send out to everyone attending if we do decide to make the change but is it too late? (we have a lot of people comming from out of town)

PLEASE HELP

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Oh Michelle - I'm so sorry! But you can't switch Danford's! It's too beautiful!

To be honest, I'd doubt anything else was even available at this time, and especially since you have out of town guests, your reception in a hotel is ideal.

Are you able to speak with the catering manager about your concerns?

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I'm not familiar with either place but I've heard good things about both.

What are the ramifications of switching - would you be paying for both places? That seems like a huge cost - just how much does it bother you?

I'd get some more objective opinions - brides are very emotional and picky about things no one else notices.

However, separate rooms and a separate dance floor are not ideal. I can understand why you're disappointed. How'd you decide on Danfords?

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Danfords is a beautiful location & I'm sure you shouldn't switch now. I know we put our heart & souls into planning these weddings, but it's still a celebration of your love-not an interior design contest. I grew up in Port Jeff, but haven't been to Danfords in a long time, I'm trying to remember the layout. Would it be possible to switch to a cocktail style reception where people get to sit at different tables if they'd like? Then you would be encouraging people to get up & go into the other areas. Just a suggestion.
Try to remember all of the things you LOVE about your plans-I'm sure if you have lots of people coming from out of town they really love you guys & wouldn't care if you got married in a shack.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I have never seen danfords but I'm wondering if it is more of a headache to go through all those changes then to make the best of it.
I couldnt deal with such a big last minute change.
You have to do what you feel in your heart though, it is YOUR day.
Definitly talk to someone there though asap about your concerns before you make any decsions
I'm sorry
Good Luck

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

It does seem a little late to change, but if you are still considering it, East Wind would be an excellent choice. I've never been to Danfords, but I know someone who got married there last year and was very happy with it. I am getting married at East Wind next year, not in the country gardens, but I've seen the room and its really pretty. Also, I know from having several friends get married at East Wind that the food is great and the service is good also. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

if you really hate the room and you won't be losing a big deposit, then change it...

yes, getting married is not about the reception hall, it is about the love you and your FH share, BUT the party you are throwing to celebrate your wedding is a totally different thing....i think it is important that you are happy and comfortable with all of your wedding day decisions, then you can lean back and enjoy your day!!

p.s. just make sure you are not overreacting...

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I wouldn't change but you need to do what you feel is best. My cousin got married last year in an old mansion in the hamptons. The reception was all outside under tents and the dance floor was totally sperate inside the mansion and it was beautiful. When you wanted to dance you went inside and did so. So I wouldn't worry about the seperation it really was fine. I was at danfords for a bachelorette party 2 weeks ago. Is the reception upstairs? if so it was beautiful and the spacing seemed fine to me. good Luck whatever you decide

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

hotelcalie, yes it is upstairs. How many people were there? We are having close to 160!!!
I keep going back and forth with this...I just don't know what to do.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Well we had dinner downstairs and then went upstairs for a while...it was 'a club' at night so it wasn't set up like a wedding would be. But I can tell you there must have been at least 200 people there dancing and drinking. I think you will be fine with space. There are 2 bars, and a nice outdoor deck. Also my friend looked there for her wedding in July and they told her it would hold 200 people no problem.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

hotelcalie...please let your friend know, the main room holds 120. They can fit 160 with the overflow room but if she has a lot more than that she will have to have a buffet. OR they can fit a few more people in a room that is clear on the other side of the bar (near the ladies room).
Yes, they can fit 200 but it would have to be a buffet (just wanted to make sure she was aware of this).

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Thanks...She actually booked Timber Point...she wanted the 'country club' feel but she did really like Danfords...and the food we had at the Bachelorette party was EXCELLENT. There was 16 of us and everyone loved the food.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Your reception is all about the food and music. But I would not want the dancing in another room. It will break up the wedding to much! If you have the money East Wind is Beautiful and the food is awesome and so are the grounds for photos (no place at danfords for photos) Switching is no big deal just send the cards to the guests. They have already planned on coming so it's a 15 minute location change.-Not far. If they are traveling it's no big change for them! Just do it. this is your only wedding. Let us know what you do.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

But what did you love about this place when you booked it? I don't know it, but I asume that you felt in love with it when you booked. Did you check it prior the contract? I am sure that you still can change the location, and it is your day ... if you can handle the change, go ahead!

good luck!

Elena

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I think that Danfords should not be able to penalize you for backing out since you were unaware that guests have to dance in another room! If you would not get penalized, and you can get east wind, I would go for it. This is a one shot deal, you should be totally happy with it. I never understood the dancing in another room, how can people watch your first dance or your dad dance or your cake cutting?

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I would change. But, I have a question for you, and I am not trying to pry , but how did you book a place without knowing what the room looked like?

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I would be freaked by the dancing in another room too but I don't think I could handle a location change with just more than 3 weeks left. Im barely able to cope with getting the little stuff done.

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

Michelle - have you decided what you'll do?

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

BUMP, just wondering if you decided

Re: Please help NOW!! I'm freaking out!!

I think you should definetly change locations. It's not too late to let your guests know and you have to be happy.
What are you responsible for at Danfords ($)?
This is an important day to put it mildly, you should do what you have to do.
Let us know what you decide.
Good luck!