What would you do if....

LauraPete Posted: Mar 29, 2003 11:55 PM

What would you do if....

a place you liked and wanted to book was undergoing construction that they say will be finished in april 2004 and your wedding date is June 2004? Would you be concerned that maybe something would go wrong and it wouldn't be complete? Would this stop you from booking? (it's major construction - an addition to the ballroom and entire refacing and gutting of the lobby and front entrance).

dawnie Posted: Mar 30, 2003 12:22 AM

Re:'What'would'you'do'if....

Personally, I wouldn't do it ONLY because I have an ulcer, and I would be stressed out for the next year and three months, and probably bot make it to the wedding date anyway! They guaranteed it would be done though? I don't think they would jeopardize their reputation by booking your wedding and not being ready.

yabbobay Posted: Mar 30, 2003 12:22 AM

Re: What would you do if....

I wouldn't be worried...usually contruction contracts heavily fine the company every day they go over the expected date...

plus the hall needs to be in working condition for the Spring and Summer (starting april)

AND you should be able to negotiate a nice deal since you cannot see the finished work...

IrishTracy Posted: Mar 30, 2003 07:33 AM

Re: What would you do if....

If you really love it I would say go for it. But to be on the safe side get EVERYTHING in writing!!!! Make sure your contract says everything that they promise!

cuteypie Posted: Mar 30, 2003 09:37 AM

Re: What would you do if....

I agree with Irish. CONTRACTS CONTRACTS CONTRACTS!

Olgaki Posted: Mar 30, 2003 10:26 AM

Re: What would you do if....

definitly go over and get yourself a good price!!!

lesleyw Posted: Mar 30, 2003 10:28 AM

Re: What would you do if....

I think I would be nervous, just because construction often takes longer than it is supposed to. I think it would make me uneasy, but you should follow your instincts.

karen32 Posted: Mar 30, 2003 10:37 AM

Re: What would you do if....

i wouldn't book there - but that's just me. i would be so nervous i am afraid it would ruin my entire wedding planning process. construction always takes longer than originally anticipated!

JMO!!!

LauraPete Posted: Mar 30, 2003 10:51 AM

Re: What would you do if....

See my gut feeling from the place was that it is beautiful now and will be then (they are under construction right now and there was a party in there when i went to see it! and they had it so well controlled that you couldn't even see it) I feel like I trust them (but i can be a schmuck).
But when I came home and told my sister and dad they jumped out of their seats and said 'forget it!'......'move on'....'don't waste your time'....

by the way, in case the curiousity is killing anyone, I have been talking about Bellport County Club.

and yeah - they did give me a good price!

swags1016 Posted: Mar 30, 2003 11:03 AM

Re: What would you do if....

I would not do it. We had friends that got married at the Reception House in Queens about 3 years ago. Anyway after they signed the contract they moved locations (down the block) and went under construction. Well, I think their wedding was one of the first and when we walked in it was bad. Socket had wires still hanging out. There were not switch plates on many of the switches. Painting was not completely completed. The toliet paper was held onto the door by a bent hanger.

Me personally I could not handle the not knowing part.

kmcwed Posted: Mar 30, 2003 12:00 PM

Re: What would you do if....

I know someone who booked a place that was undergoing major construction. They got a call about two weeks before their wedding day and were told it wasn't finished yet. They had to re-book their whole honeymoon. They got an upgraded package, but that's not the point. They were very upset.

I'm not sure I would do it.

Good luck to you!

KarenM

pschica Posted: Mar 30, 2003 05:55 PM

Re: What would you do if....

if you truly love it - book there and just think positive - don;t allow your self to see the place often or you will dirve yourself crazy.....and make sure you get everything in writing......maybe they will even through in more if you mention your hesitation (ie - a venetian hour, an upgrade, etc) - and you know what?? its your day and it will be fine anyway......

nycchic_24 Posted: Mar 30, 2003 06:09 PM

Re: What would you do if....

I had this same problem with the old villa victor...i loved it but it was undergoing construction when we looked at it and the man said it would be different but he was saying that if we booked right there and then that he would give us an awesome price. We went around and around with it till it drove me crazy. Its all up to your personality I assume..I am a nervous person who needs to see finishes projects so we booked with Stewart Manor country club instead.

Its all up to you...you know your personality the best.

LauraPete Posted: Mar 30, 2003 07:16 PM

Re: What would you do if....

thanks girls! I am off the same opinon as deirdre. I think it might be too nerver racking for me to have to wonder up until the day i walk in with my party. thanks for the opinions.

Niecey Posted: Mar 30, 2003 08:43 PM

Re: What would you do if....

Let me start by saying DH and I are not risk takers at all. But for some strange and crazy reason we really loved Villa Victor (now North Ritz Club) but it was under major, major construction when we went to visit it. But similar to your situation, they kept the construction well hidden and you would have no clue that they were renovating. We liked it for what it was and were like it can only get better. Villa Victor made us so comfortable that we really rolled the dice and went with them. It was the best wedding decision we probably made!!!!!!

This may not happen for everyone - but we trusted our gut feeling and it worked for us!

LauraPete Posted: Apr 06, 2003 10:56 PM

Re: What would you do if....

Should I be nervous that the man helping us opening up his calendar for June and July and it was completely EMPTY! Not one thing booked? Given, it is not a wedding factory and that is what i liked about it (they do mostly showers, sweet 16s, etc.) but.....?

Scoop Posted: Apr 07, 2003 10:40 AM

Re: What would you do if....

Knowing myself...I probably wouldn't do it. You never know what could happen when it comes to construction. Better safe than sorry.

Betty Posted: Apr 07, 2003 10:42 AM

Re: What would you do if....

I don't think I would take the chance. If you were planning the wedding for 6 mos. after then maybe, but 2 mos. is cutting it too close IMO

mv1003 Posted: Apr 07, 2003 10:47 AM

Re: What would you do if....

I say if you love it, and haven't found any place else that you love as much. Do it. I would discuss w/ them alternative plans though, if GOD forbit the construction wasn't complete by their due date (or your wedding?) I have never seen a catering hall NOT finish their construction by their dead line though.

(note, I am a risk taker though)

DecBride04 Posted: Apr 07, 2003 10:49 AM

Re: What would you do if....

Just an example of a catering hall who recently renovated was the Miller Place Inn. When we went to go look at it, the place was a mess...gutted from head to toe... They told us it was going to be complete in just a few weeks after we saw it (~4) to come back and see it then. We were like 'yea right, how could they get all that done so soon', but when we did go back a month later, it was DONE. It looked beautiful...those construction people really work day in and day out to get their job done, so I wouldn't be worried. If you love it that much, go for it. But like the other girls said, CONTRACT with all in WRITING Best of luck with your decision.