Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

kptoys Posted: Oct 21, 2003 12:40 PM

Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

save $10,000???

If I change my reception from day to night I have to guarentee 25 more people (which will be no problem because we are inviting 200 and I think more than 125 will show) and the price goes up $35pp. Is it worth it to have a PM reception?

We would be having a tent set up at my moms house with a stocked bar and some music and BBQ for afterwards

btrflygrl Posted: Oct 21, 2003 12:50 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

Our ceremony is at 11:30am on a Saturday...we like this because it gives the out of towners time to get here on Fri and gives them Sunday to travel home and it's not too late of a night for everyone!

Kelly9904 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 12:53 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

JMO but I really like night weddings! I know its completely everyones own thing though.
My FI and I decided not to have a day wedding because we wanted our wedding to be THE event for that day.

With an afternoon wedding, you end usually by 5 or 6 and you are looking for something else to do because you are all excited and ready to go from the wedding, but then the wedding can feel almost like a pre event.

Again this is JMO! If money is a concern then I would change it thats ALOT of money you would save.
Good Luck!

eroxgirl Posted: Oct 21, 2003 12:58 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

I am having an afternoon wedding for exactly that reason! I can't see spending an additional $30 pp, plus tax and tip just to have the wedding 5 hours later in the day. I live in a neighborhood I hate in an apartment I hate just so I can afford this wedding, and to have it at night would guarantee I have to live in this dump for another year and it was just not worth it for me.

Nora101004 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 01:04 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

That's a lot of $$- could be used for a down payment on a house. If you wanted sunset pics you can go after.

ETA: If its not too early, like you get out between 7-9, you can have an after party to continue the fun. And you'll get to start your HM earlier

kptoys Posted: Oct 21, 2003 02:43 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

Hee hee start practicing for more babies

smilealways Posted: Oct 21, 2003 03:04 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

We ran into the exact same problem at the Vineyard! We desperately wanted a night wedding on a Saturday in June (I had my whole 'Midsummer Night's Dream' theme going with candles, twinkle lights, and crystals adorning everything), but when we got there and realized we would be saving between $8,000 and $11,000 (depending on # of people) to have it in the afternoon, we decided it just wasn't worth it. Plus, the grounds at the vineyard are so beautiful, it will give people more of a chance to enjoy them during the day, and this way, we can have an afterparty that night. So, my theme has changed to a summer garden/vineyard theme, and I can stress less about money!

kptoys Posted: Oct 21, 2003 03:07 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

Thank you so much smilealways!!! You made it so much better!!

sandj100304 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 03:14 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

We are having an 11:30am ceremony with a noon cocktail hour. I would have loved to have had an evening wedding but we said it wasn't worth it to spend that much more money for the same 5 hours of partying. Afterwards, everyone will get together and keep partying, just somewhere else.

butterfly20 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 04:44 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

yes i would....

fh would only make it earlier if it saved ALOT of money(and i think he would agree 10k is alot)

allure Posted: Oct 21, 2003 04:51 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

I would save the money

LIPrincess00 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 04:58 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

I would definately make it a daytime wedding.

nrvbrd Posted: Oct 21, 2003 05:22 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

This is alot of money!!!

In THIS case I would do it in the afternoon.

At my place the difference between Sat night and day was only $2,000, so I went for the Night time- I love night weddings!!!!

usuk2004 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 06:51 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

My aunt's wedding was at 11am and we had to get up at like the crack of dawn to get our hair done and stuff...but, 10,000 is a lot of dollars!!

I would get up at 6AM to save that much money. You can furnish an entire new home with that!

good luck!

michele31 Posted: Oct 21, 2003 06:54 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

IMO you have a daughter so to save $10K is well worth it! I mean, I am sure $10K will do more good in her college fund than it will on an evening reception.

Save the money and enjoy your day.

jenny2penny Posted: Oct 21, 2003 06:59 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

WOW...that is a lot of money. and too each their own. I am partial to both night or afternoon. I think at the vinyards outside would be more enjoyable during the day (you going to have outside ceremony there too??). But if it's a location were you are mostly inside, then I would opt for the evening. $10,000 I feel can be put towards better things in life,,,but that is JMO

engd4evr Posted: Oct 21, 2003 07:26 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

It is a lot of money....you just need to think about what your priorities are. We're planning an afternoon wedding -- 11AM ceremony and 1PM cocktail hour less for budget reasons than just wanting to spend time with our many out of town guests. The day of the wedding can be so hectic and this way we'll have more time to spend with everyone. But it was a tough decision, we went back and forth so many times, it also helped that we picked a location that is absolutely beautiful in the daytime (lots of big windows which will hopefully be filled with sunshine)

Xelindrya Posted: Oct 21, 2003 08:15 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

im saving money by going early and besides we have a lot of out of towners who need an early start.

Charly Posted: Oct 21, 2003 08:49 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

We did it! At first we wouldn't even consider an afternoon wedding - but when I took my # of expected guests times the difference in price per person I too came up with a savings of $10,000!!

Since its on a Saturday afternoon and we have a lot of people from out of town we going to arrange something at the hotel bar after for those who want to keep the party going!!!

smilealways Posted: Oct 23, 2003 03:42 PM

Re: Would you have an early ceremony and reception to...

Anything I can do to help! :o) Plus, it works well b/c it's fairly far out east - people in the area (New Jersey, CT, Manhattan, Staten Island) who would drive in would have enough time to get there in the morning, as well as get done early enough in the day to get home without having to book a room somewhere if they didn't want to! I'm sure the vineyard will be beautiful during the day in May!