I visited the Fountainhead today in New Rochelle and was blown away by the decor. Everything felt so grand! Originally I was going to go with Leonards in Great Neck but we attended a tasting today and it was a bit different than what we expected. Don't get me wrong, we also thought Leonards was beautiful, just a bit dated...the price they gave me was fantastic though. The main bummer is the price of Fountainhead and lack of outside space. They quoted us $95pp for a Sunday evening and after tax and gratuities it'll be about $125pp. We're paying for the entire wedding ourselves and with 200-250 guests, it'll be a bit stressful. Not sure what to do...does anyone have any experience negotiating the price with Fountain Head? It's definitely our first choice but I really don't want to put myself in a bind. We also heard we had to use their florist which is $$$. I had a friend who was going to make all my centerpieces as a gift! Ughh...I have no idea how couples make these decisions. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
MrsZtoBe
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
Someone told me once that they were in a similar situation. They called and said 'You are our first choice for a RH, but our second choice is less money. We would much rather book with you, is there any way we could work on the price?'
HTH!
FDWedding07
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
I was in the same situation. My #1 hall was just to much for me. I sat down and spoke with them. We ended up changing the month we got married in. This made a HUGE diference. They then worked with our budget and gave us a TUN of extras. Good Luck!!
ant090608
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
I was torn between two venues and ended up picking the less expensive one. Now, I wish I picked my first choice. It's too late for me but make your decision wisely.
Also, try talking them down in price.
Good luck!
Mat049
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
i'm a leonard's bride.. my exp so far hasn''t been great. also, watch out for additional add-ons later on.
I'd go w/ your first choice, but like the other girls suggested, cost is a factor too (unfortunately!) lol
dedecakes
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
I know that you probably don't want to look around anymore, but maybe you can find something in the middle? My BM didn't come down in price, but things that we added on, he reduced the price of...and he threw in a few extras, like the chocolate fountain and the pasta risotto duet. I would definitely negotiate first. GL! :)
mrs cupcake
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
I'm going to call today to see if the BM can do any better on the price. Our max budget including tip and tax was $100 per person. I'm thinking of asking $110 per person..if they okay it I'll book with them. If not then back to the drawing board. What kind of add ons did Leonards have?
ELluvsMB
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
Posted by mrs cupcake
I visited the Fountainhead today in New Rochelle and was blown away by the decor. Everything felt so grand! Originally I was going to go with Leonards in Great Neck but we attended a tasting today and it was a bit different than what we expected. Don't get me wrong, we also thought Leonards was beautiful, just a bit dated...the price they gave me was fantastic though. The main bummer is the price of Fountainhead and lack of outside space. They quoted us $95pp for a Sunday evening and after tax and gratuities it'll be about $125pp. We're paying for the entire wedding ourselves and with 200-250 guests, it'll be a bit stressful. Not sure what to do...does anyone have any experience negotiating the price with Fountain Head? It's definitely our first choice but I really don't want to put myself in a bind. We also heard we had to use their florist which is $$$. I had a friend who was going to make all my centerpieces as a gift! Ughh...I have no idea how couples make these decisions. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
I'm actually getting married in Westchester and I looked at Fountainhead as well as many other places. The only drawback with FH is that there''s no real place outside to take pics it's on a parking lot. There are so many places around there that offer similar prices. I book at VIP CC but there's a whole row of place I would look at. The price they quoted you was what I was quoted as well many months back. I don't like that you have to use their house venders because they are super expensive. Make sure to take that into consideration as well. HTH!
VenusS
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
how come you dont drop by the vendors first and see if they will work with your price before u book the reception hall..
also, if there's obstacles, won't you consider somewhere else? have you looked at places like Terrace on the Park?
mrs cupcake
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
I considered VIP Country club but they had a wedding going on at the time and we couldn't view their facilities. What was the pricing at VIP if you don't mind me asking? If it's in my price range I am definitely going to check it out.
We've been to a couple of places already..nothing compared to fountainhead..except for surf club. So beautiful but out of our price range. My friend was married at Terrance on the Park...beautiful views but she told me there was a lot of issues with staff and the food was below par.
VenusS
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
when I called up VIP one time, they quoted me $125pp for Mother's Day of next year. I asked the banquet manager if there was room for negotiation since I have a 300+ guestlist, he didn't care for my business. Good luck!
HM807
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
I did the Westchester row myself....
I liked VIP, but wasnt blown away...and it was more expensive than Fountainhead. Def try to talk fountain down!
Surf Club was also really nice!
Did you look at Beckwithe Point? I heard the prices are good!
jessica08bride
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
in general i dont believe fountainhead reduces price, however, you may be able to get some add ons thrown in. can you try to switch the month?
Opera_Ghost
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
Posted by MrsZtoBe
Someone told me once that they were in a similar situation. They called and said 'You are our first choice for a RH, but our second choice is less money. We would much rather book with you, is there any way we could work on the price?'
HTH!
I agree. Try that if the one you really want is more expensive. Can't hurt to bargain or put it out on the table that you're happy to book them if they can come down on the price a bit. Won't know unless you try. Worst they can do is say no and then you just need to sit down and write down the pros & cons for both places. It's up to you how much you can realyl afford to spend on the wedding.
Best of luck.
ELluvsMB
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
Posted by VenusS
when I called up VIP one time, they quoted me $125pp for Mother's Day of next year. I asked the banquet manager if there was room for negotiation since I have a 300+ guestlist, he didn't care for my business. Good luck!
That must include tax and tip.
Brendanzgirl
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
Posted by MrsZtoBe
Someone told me once that they were in a similar situation. They called and said 'You are our first choice for a RH, but our second choice is less money. We would much rather book with you, is there any way we could work on the price?'
HTH!
Yeah try to talk to them. See what happens, you know, I mean what have you got to loose?
soon2BMrsin08
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
well, if your good at do it your self. I have made my own centerpieces which saved me $2,000. it consist of all candles. which is the look i wanted vs flowers. i recently brought it into my RH and the guy was like wow you made those... candles are simple and elegant and....i spent only $300. you may be able to cut corners in other places and still go with the place you wanted.
mrs cupcake
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Re: Torn between 2 venues - Helppp!!!
My friend offered to make my centerpieces as a gift but unfortunately Fountainhead requires that we only use their florist which I heard can be quite $$$. I left a message with the BM and hopefully we'll get a good answer tomorrow. After more lengthy talks tonight with my FH we decided if Fountainhead can't work with us on the price we'll have to pass and go with Leonards. If the price difference wasn't so great I wouldn't even be debating but the money saved can definitely go towards better things like upgrades and our new house! We'll see how it goes and will definitely keeps you girls updated! Thanks for all the advice..keep it coming!
