Scared to Death

kimmylyn Posted: Nov 18, 2003 05:20 PM

Scared to Death

Hello all, I am new to LI Boards. I have been reading everyone's input and it seems like a real warm place where I can be scared to death and ask stupid questions.

I got engaged Two Weeks ago and I am about to start looking at reception sites. I am 'planning' to have a Nov 2004 wedding. But I feel like I have Sucker written across my head because I am so excited to get married. Can you negiotiate your price per plate at these halls? The quotes I am getting are around $70-75 a plate. (Beach Club on Lake Ronkonkoma, The Riviera, The Riverview). However, I know that Nov is off season, can I get them down to $65?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for Bridal Shops that offer discount gowns or sample gown in the Suffolk area? I spoke to someone at Bridal Reflections in Massapequa and they were notihng but RUDE.

There seems to be so many things to get done that I can't sleep at night, and to think I do not even have a wedding date set in stone!!

One last question.. Are those bridal expos a waste of time ?

Thank you ladies..

sammi102 Posted: Nov 18, 2003 05:22 PM

Re: Scared to Death

I can't answer any of your questions, but welcome and you will find great advice on these boards!

mrswask Posted: Nov 18, 2003 05:29 PM

Re: Scared to Death

Talk to friends who have gone through it to get ideas for questions - no question is dumb! The reception site that I booked was the first one I saw and I saw 8 places after it and still liked it the most - so when I went on the 2nd visit - I had so many more questions to ask because I learned as I went along! Every place wants your business - you just have to see how much they are willing to negotiate - a lot of places don't necessarily want to take money off - but you can see about getting things thrown in.

nrvbrd Posted: Nov 18, 2003 05:29 PM

Re: Scared to Death

Welcome!!!

I personally think the bridal expos ARE a waste of time. I got most of my reccomendations from this site,and I am glad I did.

I do think you can negotiate down to $65, but it depends on where you are looking.

heidla Posted: Nov 18, 2003 05:55 PM

Re: Scared to Death

For discount wedding dresses you might give RK Bridal a shot. I got my dress there and saved $300. But I should tell you that it is not the best experience. They can be snippy but you can save money.

JimmysBride Posted: Nov 18, 2003 06:21 PM

Re: Scared to Death

Welcome and congrats on your engagement !

You'll find lots of good advice on these boards. You were smart to pick an off season so that you can get a lower price. You can often negotiate with the halls. Don't be afraid to. And don't let them pressure you into booking!! That's the best advice I can give you. They will make you feel like this is the last hall available on all of Long Island for your date and that no one will beat their price and that someone 'just called 5 minutes ago for this date'. Don't let them pressure you! Also, insist on a food tasting. If they won't let you taste the food - walk away and watch how fast they offer you a tasting. Don't be afraid to leave a deposit first and then taste. Make them write in your contract that your deposit is fully refundable if you don't like the food.

Any questions feel free to FM me!! Good luck and congrats again!

luvsun27 Posted: Nov 18, 2003 06:21 PM

Re: Scared to Death

You can definately negotiate. I booked at the Beach Club Estate and my wedding is in April...they started at $75pp...and I talked them down to $65pp...so, you should definately be able to get that price for November since April is closer to the 'season' than November is. Who did you meet with at Beach Club?

PS. Congrats....and Welcome!!!

ETS...I also looked at the Riverview...they had a 100 person guantee, which they were willing to lower to 75 for me...and also $65pp down from $70. Just ask...you'll be fine.

Bacardi527 Posted: Nov 18, 2003 06:28 PM

Re: Scared to Death

First of all Welcome- you will find LIW to be addictive- there is a place in east islip called Angels Bridals- and after going to 8 shops looking ofr a dress i have found that they are the most courteous-I didnt get my dress there but they are soooo nice- and also the wedding center in Commack are cool to they have nice gowns and all the up to date bridesmaids gowns- you might try Stuart Manor in Farmingdale for your reception- I was able to negotiate with him- I think the owners name is Chris and being that your wedding is in Nov you should be able to get some good prices- Good Luck Oh yeah and the Bridal Expos are worth checking out- they may get repetitive but I found alot of info from the magazines that they hand out

shawl Posted: Nov 18, 2003 06:45 PM

Re: Scared to Death

Re: dresses, if you sign up for nysale.com, you will get lots of emails about bridal gown sample sales (someone posted about the Vera Wang sale this morning I believe) which can be great deals!

Pickle Posted: Nov 18, 2003 07:05 PM

Re: Scared to Death

Congrats!

NYSALE is great - if getting to NYC is easy enough for you. Don't get too stressed, it will all be fine. A year in advance should be plenty of time to find a nice place, esp. in November. Get the place, get the date, the rest will happen.. :)

Have fun!

kimmylyn Posted: Nov 18, 2003 07:30 PM

Re: Scared to Death

I want to first thank everyone that replied. I never thought I would experience this much aniexty on planning something I have been waiting for since I can remember.

I did get the whole 'That is the only day left in Nov. and I suggest you book early from one hall (I'll leave the name out in case I really like the place )

I just bought a book called 'Bridal Bargains' and it seems to have a lot of little ideas on how to neg. prices and where to find bargains. When I find anything worthe posting I will do so.

I am trying to have my dream wedding without all that unnecessary expenses, but then again doesn't everyone!!

I am just wondering if anyone found a dress in a magazine that they loved, tried it on and bought it? I seem to have fallen in love with a dress, however, I have not tried it on. (The price was insane). But now I feel compelled to find this dress just to 'see' if I really do like it.

Anyway, thanks for your help. and sorry for babbling, but my FH would be bored to tears if I stressed him out with all my thoughts!! haha

smilingbride Posted: Nov 18, 2003 07:33 PM

Re: Scared to Death

I think ANYTHNG is negotiable if you know how to haggle. It's worth a try. As far as dresses, I just ordered mine from Cathy's Bridal in Lindenhurst. I thought their prices were great. For a really inexpensive dress, try David's Bridal (I'm sure there have been posts on this site about them). Good luck and don't stress...try to enjoy this exciting time!

ps. I'm also a Nov '04 bride!!

butterfly20 Posted: Nov 18, 2003 11:29 PM

Re: Scared to Death

i am getting married nov 6 next year(saterday night)....

it depends where you look and how many people you plan to have.....
i was looking back in april to book places
I am using manor east(massapequa) and it was $58 + tax/gratuity... also was told
stewart manor cc was $69 + t/g
verdis of westbury was $60 + t/g

all the places i looked were 100 minimum....

sat night is prime time, and of course you pay less for friday/sunday or the afternoon!

hope that helps a little

gertyrae Posted: Nov 18, 2003 11:35 PM

Re: Scared to Death

You can definitely negotiate the price of the hall down. I wouldn't even worry about that, you probably aren't going to get a place to go from $100 to $65 but $10 should be no problem.
As far as the dress, call every place you can find in the phone book and see if they have your dress, then you can try it on and decide if you really love it. A lot of the dresses look great on models and not on us...also some dresses that are the same style, different manufacturers look completely different on. You have tons of time, I am getting married in January and didn't order my dress until late May.
Good luck and happy planning, this site is really great!!

04Bride Posted: Nov 19, 2003 07:21 PM

Re: Scared to Death

Congrats and welcome!! I think u'll find this site very helpful!!!

2003OCT10 Posted: Nov 20, 2003 12:58 AM

Re: Scared to Death

I sent you a forum mail.... Congrats on your engagement!!!!!

aliciahelene Posted: Nov 20, 2003 01:39 AM

Re: Scared to Death

i CANT UNFORTUNATELY OFFER YOU MUCH HELP AS TO BRIDAL PLACES OR RECEPTION HALLS, BUT WHAT i CAN SAY IS ASK ANYTHING YOUD LIKE, i HAVE PROBABLY ASKED MORE STUPID QUESTIONS THAN ANYBODY AND IT HASNT MATTERED, i HAVE GOTTEN A TON OF RESONSES, WE ARE ON HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER NO MATTER HOW STUPID THE QUESTION.So ask away..please dont be shy, the point of this website is to plan your wedding as easilyn as possible. Congratulations and welcome!!!!!