Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

septbride2011 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 03:35 PM

Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Hi everyone!

I have a question for you. My FH and I are planning to have a wedding, but we both have a very small amount of family members, and tons of friends. We were suppose to get married next year, but things turned up. We have checked out some halls and they want a certain min that we are afraid won't be met.

Can anyone suggest good reception halls to look at?

Another question is many of you girls are paying for your entire affair? How many years did you plan for your big event ? ( we are looking at 2 1/2 years) It just seems so stressful since we both will be paying, but I feel it is well worth it in the end.

Any suggestions on this matter would help. We have also considered to elope since some family members mentioned it. (even if we don't want to do it that way)

Thanks ladies!
I love LIW!!!!!!!

halfbaked Posted: Jul 30, 2010 03:39 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

First of all, welcome to the boards!!!

I think you should probably try looking into a day other than Saturday for the wedding and possibly during the 'off-season'. I know RH prices sky rocket in spring/summer/even fall and so do their minimums on Saturdays and even Fridays!

Even though it's not ideal, try looking at a Sunday afternoon in February or a Thursday in March or something like that. I bet you'll be surprised by how different the pricing/minimums are!

Good luck!

AngnShaun Posted: Jul 30, 2010 03:39 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

i planned for a little under 13 months... we both have huge families... but even after the fact... i had an amazing time and loved that our families were there to celebrate with us... but i would absolutely have eloped...

allornil Posted: Jul 30, 2010 03:40 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

if you don't want to elope, don't. I wanted to elope but FH whined and threw a fit so we're planning something here...and it's becoming a nightmare.

We'd be paying for it all ourselves.

What sort of minimum are you looking at?

septbride2011 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 03:41 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

We want a Sunday wedding, since it was tradition on my gradmothers end. Also with the off season we are thinking of that as well, we are looking for so many opptions at this point, that we want it to happen.

Thanks!

septbride2011 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 03:43 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

We are looking at a head count from both sides about 65-80, but if family members don't come then we have an issue.

I don't want to elpoe, I want to walk down the church isle, wear the gown and be this is my day!

halfbaked Posted: Jul 30, 2010 04:39 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Posted by septbride2011

We are looking at a head count from both sides about 65-80, but if family members don't come then we have an issue.

I don't want to elpoe, I want to walk down the church isle, wear the gown and be this is my day!

Check out the Swan Club. I know a few brides have mentioned on here that there's a smaller room. Maybe you can even look into hosting it at a restaurant?

AugustBridein09 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 04:43 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Welcome to the boards!

Douglaston Manor has a smaller room too.

madamsireeda213 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 04:43 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

You should be able to have a nice ceremony for 65 - 80 people without spending alot of money. There are tons of venues in LI that can accommade to smaller parties, or you can even have the ceremony at a church and the reception at a restaurant, which will save you lots of money.

Like a fellow LIW mention earlier, try looking into the off season, which is November - March (in particular, january and feb) and off days like Sundays or a friday. Also look into holiday weekends, prices are usually lower on holiday weekend. I'm like you, FH and I are paying for the majority of the wedding by ourselves (family is chipping in here and there) and we have to look for different ways to save money. I'm getting married on Labor Day 2011, which is a Monday and I am saving a ton of money.

Good Luck and Welcome to the Board!!!!!!

septbride2011 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 05:43 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Omg thanks so much for all the ideas and insights. I will look into the swan club and the manor.

I am looking forward to getting so many more ideas and help from everyone.

Thanks again ladies!

Have a great weekend

AugustBride20000 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 05:53 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

I'm having my wedding at West Sayville Country Club, they are a Lessing's property. They can accomodate up to 200, we are expecting about 100, with a 75 min. We're doing a Sun afternoon, but that is what we decided on, not due to price. The price is affordable, diff between Sat pm and Sun is only $5pp. We got engaged in May 2010 and the wedding is this October. But that is us. We wanted to get married in the nice weather and did not want to wait until next year. Planning is actually a little easier on my mental health this way because we make a decision and we are done. We don't have time to overanalyze or second guess. And we have had no problem finding vendors that are available on 5 months notice. Financially it is a little bit harder, because we have not been saving for this for a while, but what we are paying it really is not so bad.

soontobmrsmike Posted: Jul 30, 2010 08:03 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Congrats and welcome to our crazy LIW world as we all refer to it as!! I looked at so many places so if you need any help I would be more than happy to help you!!

We originally wanted to get married in May of 2011 but since we are paying for alot of it ourselves we decided to wait till November. The off months are from oct- march. You can still get nice days in between there.

I highly recommend:

Jericho Terrace - the prices were extremely reasonable and the place is gorgeous!! We wanted something a little closer so we did not choose it.

Villa Lombardis - where we chose bc they have a really great reputation and 3 locations!! There is one on the Sound and on the bay!!

Message me for more info good luck!!

septbride2011 Posted: Jul 30, 2010 09:19 PM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Wow, that is really good to know. We have seen pictures of JT and Westbury Manor.
I thank everyone for welcoming me with open arms, as this is the beginning of the rest of my life. I am not one to deal with stress and knowing I have others going through what I am helps a bit.

Thanks so much!

oldladybride Posted: Jul 31, 2010 11:17 AM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

We had our reception at Larkfield Manor on Sun evening with a min of 60. Maybe it would be even less for the afternoon. The room is lovely, the food outstanding and the people wonderful to work with. pics in my album and there's a slideshow w more pics in the video lib.

leesah85 Posted: Jul 31, 2010 11:21 AM

Re: Wedding / Eloping / $$ to pay for it all

Definitely try Swan Club. You could probably do a 50 or 60 minimum there. And also, Larkfield Manor in East Northport or Verdis in Westbury could probably accommodate you.

HTH!