Wedding Reception Forum

Cost.. which one should we do?

My finacee and I put a deposit down at a Heritage Centre that has been around since the mid 1800's.. Al Capone used to do his dealings here.  The backyard has GORGEOUS fountains, gardens, and is right on the water.  We don't have heaps of money.. but we have fallen so deeply in love with the venue, the caterer, our theme of the prohabition/roaring 20's/speak easy (it is at an old whisky distillery).  We would getmarried on the water, and then have a cocktail reception while we get our photos taken.. then all of our guests get a tour (a lot of history is in the place).  The venue is $2500 for 1.5 engagement photo time, 1.5 cocktail reception (food not included), whisky tasting during the rehersal for up to 20 and the $2500 incl tax etc. and we get it for 5hrs.. the reception room is $25  head.. which is steep.. the room does not need much for decoration.. just table linens and chair covers.  It would be such a great theme and the place is gorgeous.. but over budget..
we are doing a smaller wedding of about 70.

The other option is a private golf course here.  They don't charge for the facility.  I can't bring my own alcohol in like the other place.  The food cost is about the same.  THey have a decorator on the pemisise nd there will be more decorating involved.  Our concern is that we have family spread out and are pretty new here so we don't have a lot of friends.  We will have a lot of older people and a few close friends.. prob lack of dancing and we don't want ot have a wedding like everyone else.. it's a pretty place and we could do it up nice.. but no idea what to do for entertainment.. or theme..

We are just starting out so the money would be nice for honeymoon.. and we have a whole year to save.. so it is doable.. maybe I am just cheap..

What would you do?  We are both so uncertain lol
 

Re: Cost.. which one should we do?

  • So is the golf course within your budget factoring in the alcohol, etc.?

    You don't HAVE to have a theme OR entertainment.  Good food and some music is usually all that is required. Adults know how to entertain themselves and they don't go to a wedding of a loved one or friend expecting to be entertained.

    That being said, it seems like the first venue is more what you are looking for.   Only you can really say if it is doable for you.  Maybe really do a detailed comparision--if you have to bring in alcohol and decor to the golf course, maybe it won't be as cheap as you think.

  • We have to go with their alcohol at the golf course.  Wine is about $25 bottle.  The coordinator said it should be roughly $95-100/person with hor d'ouerves, meal, alcohol, tax, gratuity.  It is the same at the distillery.  They also use their in house decorator.. they do a lot of weddings there.  I hate the curtains but I get two rooms and the patio. 
    One will be about $22,000 and the other will be about $17000-18000 unless we also do ceremony there and it slashes it even more.

    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cost-which-one-should-we-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0f526d4-7c2c-452c-a5f4-9c97d9d859baPost:0ca5a4d9-d632-4fb8-9b6b-dd8180f6f71a">Re: Cost.. which one should we do?</a>:
    [QUOTE]So is the golf course within your budget factoring in the alcohol, etc.? You don't HAVE to have a theme OR entertainment.  Good food and some music is usually all that is required. Adults know how to entertain themselves and they don't go to a wedding of a loved one or friend expecting to be entertained. That being said, it seems like the first venue is more what you are looking for.   Only you can really say if it is doable for you.  Maybe really do a detailed comparision--if you have to bring in alcohol and decor to the golf course, maybe it won't be as cheap as you think.
    Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]
  • That's not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things. Do what you will be happy with in the end. If you really can't swing it, don't put yourself in debt though...
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