When to Book Reception

hmgiffor

I am SO ANXIOUS about booking the reception. If I have a larger group (40-50), my options are pretty limited and I don't want to risk losing them (Maggiano's was already booked for April 11!). If my group is smaller (20-30) then I can pick cooler places (really obsess with Jean George Steakhouse's wine alcove!). 

I went through my guest list and we have 28 people that we think are maybes, 30 yes and 10 no. My thoughts are once I send out the STD next week, I can call and start to get an idea of who is/isn't coming (like I learned today my sister isn't coming!). 

How far in advance do you recommend booking the reception space? 

Rosebubbly

You should book for how many you're inviting, just in case. Sometimes peoples plans change later and they might come. There are some options though that have multiple rooms so in case you ended up smaller...you could switch rooms and perhaps have a lower minimum. Maggianos has more than one room. Also look into Carmine's. They have several rooms and they have huge portions and great food! I love the one near me.

Rosebubbly

Btw Carmine's was my 2nd choice. They are very similarly priced to Maggianos and the manager there was awesome and very responsive. Their food is also really good!

dbacksgirl

Joe's was one of our top choices before I booked Maggianos. They have great food and several rooms for groups of all sizes.

DixeChik19

I booked Joe's... about a year out.  I knew it was what we wanted, and I didn't want it to get booked.  They do have a minimum, and i am kinda worried about not meeting it if our Maybe's turn into No's.  But, if that happens, we'll just upgrade our bar selection and food choices, and hopefully it won't happen!

hmgiffor

Thanks for the recommendations! I put in emails to both. Carmine responded within an hour!!! Anyone know minimums ast Joe's?

Rosebubbly

Cassie or Casey at Carmine's is who I dealt with. She's one of the few vendors who proactively called to check in. :-)

bdoughty324

We booked Joe's 13 months out. The minimum for the Gigi room is 5000.

dbacksgirl

@bdoughty324, if you don't mind me asking, are you guys doing an open bar?  And if so, what did they quote you for it?  The ONE reason we didn't go with Joe's is because imo, the liquor packages they quoted me were insane.  The food, including steak and seafood came out to around $75/person for what we wanted but the open bar was another $77/pp!!  More expensive than the food!  I told the guy (can't remember his name at the moment and can't find my emails) that even some of the most expensive places I got quotes from had bar packages that topped out around $50/person for 4 hours.  He wouldn't budge and they won't let you bring in your own booze.  The only other option we would have had would be to do a consumption package where we pay for each drink.  That made me nervous because I would have no idea what the cost would be till the end of the reception and I was afraid it would shock me.  Anyway, the guy was really nice and I told him I was ready to book with them if they would work with me on the booze but it was a no go.  When I asked him why their prices were so high compared to literally every other restaurant I'd received quotes from (and I emailed him copies of their quotes) he just said he'd not ever heard anyone mention their drink packages were pricey before.  I find that VERY hard to believe.  Oh well, it worked out with us at Maggiano's but Joe's does look amazing!  That Gigi Room is gorgeous!

bdoughty324

@dbacksgirl, we actually didn't discuss doing a bar package, so they never gave me quotes on that. We are just planning on paying for consumption because we will probably won't be meeting the minimum (inviting 50 guests, expecting about 35 to come). $77/pp does seem a little ridiculous considering you get the space for 4 hours, and that would mean every person would have to drink almost 2 alcoholic drinks an hour. He did say that they would work with us on only serving certain drinks that we were OK with paying for, or that they would stop serving drinks once we hit a maximum amount that we would want to pay.

hmgiffor

Great feedback. I hope I hear back soon so maybe I can check it out when I am in Vegas tomorrow. 

DixeChik19

I also booked with Joe's.  The minimum was $5,000 for the gigi room.  I didn't hear anything about the bar packages... I'm just assuming we'll do consumption.  They also said we could set limits around when the open bar would stop, and also what people could order.  I'm going to find out more in August.

bdoughty324

good luck, @hmgiffor! Have fun in Vegas!!

hmgiffor

Just heard back from Joe's and the drink package isn't too bad unless you start going with their superior package. We would likely do beer/wine ($24-$48) and they have great selections!

DixeChik19

I didn't even know they had packages... is there still a minimum if you go with the packages?  

hmgiffor

Yea there is a $5,000 minimum. The only down side its there are only two packages lunch ($45.95pp) and dinner ($78.95pp). I wish they had an in-between package as the dinner package has LOTS of food. Which is good but I don't think I need to choose 6 entrees. 

DixeChik19

When I signed the contract, the price was $68.96 per person... I wonder if I still get that price or are "priced subject to change". I'll contact them to find out!

hmgiffor

Oh. If it is $68.96 pp that would be even better! Let me know

DixeChik19

Well, when I just went to the website, the information says 78.95 pp... so I'm not sure.  

DixeChik19

So, just heard back from Joe's, and they are honoring the price that was in place when I signed the contract, which would have been $68.95 per person.  Thank goodness!  I was about to freak out!