Hawaii

Olowalu Plantation house do-able in $8k budget for around 60 guests??

Hello helpful ladies!

Wondering if anyone one here has or knows of anyone who has done there wedding at this location on a budget of $8k?  (aka winter bride has already given me some awesome info!)  Just seeing if I can get any other input before deciding on a venue!! 

Plan to get cake, drinks, flowers at costco so mostly looking at food costs and WC costs as it looks as though we may have over 50 guests.  (including all the children coming)

Also, this amount is leaving out a photographer b/c I am willing to spend $2k on this aspect!! 

note- our wedding day falls on a sunday which adds another $500 to venue rental costs! 

any tips greatly appreciated!

M

Re: Olowalu Plantation house do-able in $8k budget for around 60 guests??

  • maui2011maui2011 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_olowalu-plantation-house-able-8k-budget-around-60-guests?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:73Discussion:873ed255-4d4e-41b3-9b62-fda08775638aPost:67401918-174f-4c1c-a7c5-c32030504c26">Olowalu Plantation house do-able in $8k budget for around 60 guests??</a>:
    [QUOTE]Hello helpful ladies! Wondering if anyone one here has or knows of anyone who has done there wedding at this location on a budget of $8k?  (aka winter bride has already given me some awesome info!)  Just seeing if I can get any other input before deciding on a venue!!  Plan to get cake, drinks, flowers at costco so mostly looking at food costs and WC costs as it looks as though we may have over 50 guests.  (including all the children coming) Also, this amount is leaving out a photographer b/c I am willing to spend $2k on this aspect!!  note- our wedding day falls on a sunday which adds another $500 to venue rental costs!  any tips greatly appreciated! M
    Posted by memegrace[/QUOTE]

    Hey M, if i am reading correctly the 8K is for venue, food, WC and costco items...then i think for sure it can be done. I know Food for the Soul...a catering company...is very reasonably priced and offers rentals as part of their food packages...i would contact them to get a quote as this will be your biggest expense and that should be able to help you decide if you can manage on your budget.  You know the cost of olowalu and lastly use a day of coordinator to save money...i think the coordinator that Jen...ak winter bride...is using is very reasonable as well as was our moderator Tanq's i believe.  HTH! Good luck! Thx. J. :-)
  • edited December 2011
    We spent about 12,000 on the reception there for 31 people (excluding photography and flowers), but it could have been done for cheaper (I spent a lot on food). I think 8k is close when you factor in the hidden costs of lighting and rentals, but not impossible if you're willing to compromise.
  • edited December 2011
    Doable, but it will be very tight.  Here are some baseline prices -- depends on the package and coordinator you get, and where you're willing to compromise.

    Venue - $3-4k depending on the time of your event
    Chairs - $300 ($5 x 60)
    Tables - $100 ($15-20 x 6)
    Linens - $150 ($25 x 6)
    Hair & Makeup - $200-500 (depending on trials, # of girls, etc)
    Day of Coordinator - $500+
    Drinks (soda & alcohol) - $500 (based on our wedding of 50 people)
    Cake + Flowers - $500 (bouquet, 6 centerpieces, hair, etc)

    That leaves you about $2k for food for 60 guests, which is $33 per person, before tax / tip.  Which means $25/pp for the base menu. I'm not sure if you can find a caterer to meet that price AND have them include the glasses, cutlery, etc.  Keep in mind, you may also pay a fee per member of the waitstaff.  And, this doesn't include a tent (which is a nice backup to have for peace of mind).  Also, I don't know what you had in mind for the ceremony -- officiant, decor, etc -- but that adds up as well.

    I know Olowalu gives a discount for events that end by 7 or so...maybe consider an early afternoon ceremony & late brunch style reception if you're really set on the venue?
    image
  • edited December 2011
    Lighting tends to run the better part of 800-1200$ too...

    I'll be honest, when we first started planning, we had an optimistic budget was 10,000$ for everything (rings and dress - I mean everything), and we ended up spending closer to 18,000$, inclusive of everything for the wedding day. With Olowalu those little incidentals really add up. Undecided
  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    If you're willing to compromise on certain things I think you can definitely do it.  I'm under 50 guests right now and doing the wedding on a Thursday at Olowalu and my budget according to my WC is doable if I'm willing to compromise on certain things.  My budget is a bit bigger than yours and but it includes everything but my wedding dress, FI's suit and FI's wedding band. 
  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Hmmm, it's going to be very tight on 8K.  If you do bare bones everything, then yes, you may be able to pull it off.  We are having 50 people and the final cost is quite a bit above what you are looking at.  If you would like some prices, I would be fine sharing, send me a PM. 
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  • memegracememegrace member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Wow..thanks ladies!!!  I am now looking at just doing ceremony at Olowalu earlier in day.  I am just in the inquiry process to see if this is possible.  The day we want is free but it does fall on a Sunday and on the price outline it indicates that they do 3 hour rentals for weekdays but it doesn't say about weekends.  We booked the reception venue and I am super happy with it!  We cannot get married on the site so having the ceremony at Olowalu would be awesome!!  If not, my plan B is to marry on the beach.  Just not sure it's ideal with a larger guest attendence!  Also, my Mom will be walking me down the "isle"  and she has a prosthetic leg so sand is not ideal!  Thanks Tanq/tonic for the price breakdown, that is so helpful.  Do you have a coordinator? 

    m
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