Went to take a look at reception sites today. And N said I was obviously judging the individual showing us the hall. She had drawn on eyebrows that looked like caterpillars. Sorry to insult caterpillars because they are cute, and this chick was not.
To make matters worse, the prices were INSANE.
N and I decided we wanted to support the local fire company that is on our side of the city. It is actually a company I was thinking about joining. But not so sure after today.
They wanted to charge $24 per person just for an open bar/beverages. Just to have pop, coffee, and boxed wine it was $22. In addition to that, it was $150 per bar tender and required 2. 17% gratuity charged per person. A $2 upcharge for Jack Daniels. $4 per round table. China was included BUT they charged $10 per table for linens, $6 for overlays, $.50 for napkins. That is not including all the other ridiculous fees they had. In addition, they had a $100 setup fee and $50 tear down fee. Guess where they got their linens... Yeah I do wedding planning on the side and allow fire companies to use my stuff for free to make the hall more appealing to raise money. Granted the lady did not know who I was and I did not say anything, but its nice to know they are gouging the crap out of people. Then after she went through all those prices she said tipping the bartenders was encouraged... WHAT THE HECK IS GRATUITY GOING TO?
But overall, for a fire department's social hall we were looking at almost $7000 without food or anything else.
We were going to a social hall to save money, support our fire department, and have all of our family at our wedding and had just given up hope of being able to afford what we wanted to do. But heck at those prices we could have an all inclusive package at our dream location.
Maybe I am over reacting. Maybe.