SO disappointed

I was so looking forward to the Lombardis on the bay showcase last night bc they were raffling off a free wedding. I had been waiting and wanting to go all month. I dragged fh, we both left work early, paid $20 each to get in, the food was really good but it was very crowded and a huge line for the buffet, I was told 2x that they would be raffling off the wedding and that you had to be present to win. Fh bought us a few drinks over the 4-5hrs so we spent over $100, stayed the whole time, and at the end they didn't raffle off the wedding! I was shocked! I was so upset and so were a few other brides that were upset too They said too many ppl wanted to come so they are going to have another showcase next month and raffle it then but now you don't have to be present to win. I wish they would have told us that or they could have at least bought us a drink or something. idk but I was really upset/disappointed and they def could have done something to make us feel better.

Now fh refuses to go to anymore showcases/wedding things and wants us to do the backyard wedding thing bc my parents suggested it and I live on the water and have a big backyard. Maybe hes right... do u guys think a back yard wedding is tacky?

it would depend on how large your home is and how large of a wedding you would want.
IMO, iwould never do this only because i would want my wedding to be more elegant that a backyard wedding and i don't have the room for this anyway. However, if you had a house like Leann Rimes - her backyard wedding looked very pretty.
if $ is a problem, there are many RH out there that have lower prices, and day weddings are even cheaper, which could help with your budget.
It might be cheaper to do it at home, but you would still need to rent chairs, provide catering and alcohol and would need some kind of dance floor area with entertainment. might equal to the same thing

Thats really bad that they said they would be raffling off a wedding and didn't!!! Thats really messed up! they should give you your 20.00 back!!! UNREAL!

I seriously hate showcases. I went to 2 and both ******!! just vendors trying to sell, sell, sell!

I don't think having your wedding at home is tacky. I think it can be really beautiful! Sounds like the property on the water would be awesome. Have it catered/tents/decor.. why not!? I would suggest hiring a planner to help you make it amazing.. but I say consider it!

Wow I can't believe they didn't do the raffle after they repeatedly said they would! How aggravating! Who is to say they won't use the same excuse at the next showcase and not do it.

I do not think a backyard wedding is tacky at all. I think it is actually really lovely and even more intimate. I was even thinking of asking my uncle to use their home as they have a very large backyard. However, just keep in mind, sometimes it can end up costing more than just renting a hall once you add in all the rentals like tables, chairs, linens, place settings, etc.

I dont mean to b mean but u shouldnt spend over $100.......
I've been to TONS of Bridal Shower and have no spend that much money.... IF anything just $7 for a drink.... or $10 for a raffle....

Spending + $$ in a showcase wil not increase ur opportunity of winning a raffle..

Wedding in a backyard?
It is up to u.. some ppl DONT have the budget AT ALL to do a RH... But they can still make a gorgeous wedding celerbationg in the backyard IF you have Enough room...

Fh & I were going to do this until we decided to check the RH with ALL inclusive wedding packages...
and thsi is how we choose our RH.
We giot a great package for 100... and we are spending way less tahn $15,000 On the RH...
& with HM & xtra things we want... i think we are to $19,000-$20,000...
We are able to afford this...
But bc of the All inclusive package, if not we coudlnt have dione it...


I think U need to rtalk to FH waht can u afford...
also asked ur paretns if they can contribute,....
My parents gave me like 55-60% of the RH so that was a BIG HELP!!!!

Wow I'd be disappointed too!! Why can't they give one away that night & another at the next showcase or something along those lines!

As for a backyard wedding just think of all the perspectives like.. Where will people use the bathroom.. in your parents home? Where will you have food catered from? Decorations? What if it rains, will you have tents up just incase? & Maybe having to rent wait staff so you don't have to cater to people on your big day.. & Add all those expenses up & compare to a RH. Some RH aren't top of the line expensive if you just price around & flexible with the time of year your going for. HTH

Sorry to hear this happened! Thats annoying.

Its all a learning experience for us. I don't know about you but I can happily admit that im no wedding pro! Hang in there!
And HAPPY FRIDAY!

I think a backyard wedding can be absolutely beautiful and you'll have full creative control over every single aspect of it. BUT, backyard wedding does NOT equal inexpensive wedding. You have to rent everything- tables, chairs, linens, tents, plates, silverware, glassware. You have to hire everybody- bartenders, waiters, bus boys, chefs, etc. It adds up FAST.

And I don't think because of ONE bad experience at a showcase you and your fiancee should rule out having your wedding at a venue. That seems a little drastic to me. Good luck!

I'm sorry that happened!

You can definitely do a backyard wedding and have it be gorgeous and not tacky if thats what you really want to do.

Good Luck!

Im sorry that happened too....but to tell you the truth they should have realized that alot of people do go to bridal shows ...when i want to westbury manor it was packed there too ....not smart thing to do...but having a backyard wedding can be really nice and you live on the water ..that makes it better!!!
I dont think its tacky at all

aw, so sorry about your experience, that is annoying!

a backyard wedding can be perfectly lovely, you can control everything and it sounds like you have a great piece of property. i would weigh your options, there are pros and cons to everything! (still need to rent everything, have to clean up after, may rain, etc. etc.!) HTH!