Before I signed my contract I didn't realize I didn't have the lavish dessert hour in the end. Now I want it and they are quoting me between $10-$12 extra per person for this lavish display of desserts. I'm going back and forth on it. I want it but my FH says it's a waste of $$ and food. What do u guys think? Are any of you having it and if so how much more is it if you don't mind me asking?
bearsbabe_113
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
At first we weren't going to do it because of the price, so we decided to get 'vienna trays' -- 3 tier platters with fruit, cookies, pastry. But when we went to finalize everything, we ended up adding it and I'm glad we did!! People loved it and it wasn't an over-abundance of food. We got to take home all the left-overs, which made my DH very happy since he didn't get to eat anything that night because we had the receiving line!!!!
See if you can talk them down. We were paying $3pp more for the trays, but ended up paying $6pp for the full viennese and they had a 'bigger' one for $12pp (more stuff). See if they can give you a smaller version at a lower price.
Licia
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
Mine was included in the price...but I'm thinking about taking it out or changing it a little. Sometimes it is a wast of time and money... I am going to see if we can get a few carts to go around to each table rather then the whole big deal in the center of the room. I'm not sure yet. If they are going to charge you extra...It may not be worth it...90% goes to waste anyway. You will have your wedding cake seved and then maybe a few trays on each table will be fine. Hope this was helpful... And remember what ever you decide...It will be perfect b/c its YOUR wedding
jenny11.9
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
10-12 is a lot per person if you ask me. - Although I am Queen of adding stuff in at the end and letting money fly out the window - If it were me, I would go for it. Hell why not. People love dessert. If I were the kind of bride I WISH I was??? I would say forget it. You can get platters of bakery cookies and connole at a great Italian bakery the day before and ask a guest to bring them up for you. Adds a litttle something extra. Or chocolate covered strawberries on everybody's plate w. the cake. Good luck!
curly2003
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
Thank you ladies. You gave me good ideas. Maybe I could work out a smaller version of it like you said. I'll see if any one else responds with more ideas. I can always count on good advice here!!!
Sonicstef
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
Honestly, I don't like them. They usually wheel these big carts out right onto the dance floor just when everyone is starting to have a great time dancing. Even if they don't put it on the dance floor - I think it interrupts the flow of the evening.
Plus - it seems that people really gorge themselves on those things which sort of conflict with an elegant party.
ChristineC68
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
I have been to wedding with a mini vienneise where the pastries are placed on platters on each table and it was really nice. We are thinking of doing something like that in case someone really hates or doesn't eat cake but still wants something a little sweet. (Our place offers cookie trays on each table).
In all honesty though, I dont like how a traditional full veinnese hour interupts the wedding. It takes over the dance floor and everyone has to sit down.
jeng
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
I had always pictured having a Viennese table. But our reception is in the afternoon and John Anthony's didn't think there would be enough time to do it with a reception following ours. We decided to go with pastry and cookie trays at each table for $1 per person. In the end, after looking at the menu, there really was no need to add even the cookie trays. Besides the cake, there will be another dessert served.
If it's important to you to have it, then I would have it, but it's definitely not necessary.
Good luck with your plannning. Jen
curly2003
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
Got some great ideas. Thanks
NIHA
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
In all honesty, it sounds really nice, and I'm sure the presentation is beautiful, but I'm one of those people who doesn't like to waste. For our wedding, if we had the extra $12-15pp instead of having a viennese hour, we would have had a Saturday night wedding instead of a day wedding. I think the food that is served during dinner and cocktail hour is more than enough, and no one needs all that extra food. I agree that it would take out of the 'fun' time of the reception, and who can dance after being that stuffed anyway?
I went to a fabulous one at the Carltun, but I think it depends on your guests...this is not a must for my guests...but my hall as a dessert cart (now I am worried that it will disrupt things?? but my hall is pretty big...) I just didn't want to dictate to people what they could have (my other choice was a slice of wedding ckae, a slice of cheesecake and a fruit tart)...
but if mine wasn't included I probably wouldn't upgrade...
jpsgirl
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
we get to choose one dessert in addition to the wedding cake, we are doing sherbert in edible baskets, they also put cookies and choc. covered strawberry's on the table. Some of the people in my family ask 'a wedding, is there a viennese hour' - but still, I think what I'm having is enough, and if the tables have to go on the dance floor I would totally forget it! good luck!
curly2003
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
Mine wouldn't actually interrupt the dancing. it comes out onto the dancefloor in the end and they extend the party 30 mins. just so people can get up and serving themselves. I'm getting great ideas and I value all of your opinions. Thanks again!
Laura
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We had one
I grew up in a very large italian family so I never imagined my wedding without one--to be honest the only thing I really wanted was shrimp cocktail and the vienese--those were the 2 areas I was not compromising--- It is a ton of food--most people love it --and you would be surprised at how many people have never seen one-- we did pay extra for it and it was worth every dime-- My ringbearer made his communion the morning of our wedding so all the leftovers went to his party the next day--The best desserts a communion has ever had Laura PS: the photographer even took pics because I knew I would never see the whole thing!!
Niecey
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Re: We had one
I am having one but it was included in the price (otherwise most places I looked at were 10-12pp) and it is in a separate room. If it wasn't for those two things I think I would have opted for the dessert platters as others suggested.
I figure by having it in a separate room, the dj will announce it but keep the party going. No stopping for slow, mushy, dinner music. Those who are interested can go get dessert in the other room. This will suit the older guests and I figure my family and friends will remain drinking and dancing!
bearsbabe_113
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Re: We had one
That's how mine was -- in a separate room off the side and the DJ made an announcement -- actually me and my husband had to 'open' the doors, walk through, get what we wanted and then everyone else followed after us. Like Laura said, being from an Italian family, if you don't have it, they think something's wrong!
jennbaby
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Re: We had one
I am having a mini Viennese. Why pay all that extra money? They are still getting desert and pastries.
JennRenee
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Re: We had one
Just a funny story to add to Bearsbabe's post... We had a dessert cart instead of a Viennese hour. The day after my wedding my mom overheard my very Italian grandmother saying to my aunt 'What a shame that they forgot to open the Viennese hour', and that she hoped we would get our money back! That's an Italian for ya!
curly2003
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Re: Viennese hour (or Venetian I think)???
I'm really trying to save but I have a large Latin family too (similar to Italians ) I think I might have to splurge but I am seriously considering all the other options. I'll see if i can work something out. The input and ideas have been great. Thanks!!!!!
Laura
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Jenn and Bears..
Your responses made me laugh-- whenever there isn't a Viennese everyone makes comments about the money---Like you've said it isn't an 'italian' wedding without one---but I can completely understand the financial aspect to it-- Laura
