FREAKING OUT!

starree444

I just called to reserve our vista suite and i told them it was for a wedding reception. Ht lady that was on the phone asked me if i was going to be using MB catering, and i said no. I also asked that a not be put on so we wouldn't get dowgraded on the day of...

She puts me on hold for a minute and then comes back and says she can't make a guarantee that we will get the vista suite.Not only that, but also we HAVE to use MB catering because there have been problems lately!

I don't know what to do! I'm so paranoid of things not working out and the MP catering being stuck outside the hotel with all our food, and being downgraded to a regular room!

magic34k

I too called originally and told them it was for a wedding reception.  The next question they asked was are you using their catering. I said No of course and got the same response back in February. So i hung up and then booked my room online.

I woudn't worry too much.  If you ask them any time they will say you HAVE to use their catering. If you were around in June, we had brides freak out all the time about loosing their suite. ( I was one of them!) There is always that possibility and it did happen to other brides. Most that I remember were moved to another comprable room (some after alot of tears and stress).

I guess it is just a risk I am willing to take. I booked the suite for a total of 4 days. I chose to get the suite mid-week hoping there would be a less chance of it being given away since mid-week is obviously not as busy as the weekend.  

Parties are held all the time in their hotel rooms, with food and drink brought in. I don't think it will be an issue unless you wave it in their face. 

I guess I can let you know in a couple months time!

starree444

These are good things to know.
My wedding is going to be on a saturday and we are only booking it for that night because it's all we can fit in the budget. If we get downgraded i'm literally screwed.

magic34k

If you are getting it for just the day of, be sure you know that there is a chance they won't let you in the room until 3 or later. So hopefully you have people willing to help get organized, or a later ceremony/reception.

Trust me i have worried a lot too.. mostly in the earlier stages of planning. The vista suite fit what we were looking for, so we were set on this plan.  

I dont know how hotels work, but i would think that they would have to give you something comprable rather than downgrade you? I read once that if you have the suite booked for months prior to checking in they will take that into consideration. I've had it booked since Feb. SO here's to crossing fingers!

starree444

I'm planning for a later ceremony/reception.

I believe that my mom and fmil will help me if i need it. I would really hope that if we get there and things go haywire that they would take into consideration that i booked 6 months in advance. I know there is something big going on the weekend i'm getting married, but i'm hoping it doesn't effect my plans too much.

AnaC09

I have the vista suite also but for two nights though. 

Question: We are planning on having dinner at their Burger Bar (since we're burger snobs) and they require a contract so does this qualify as using their catering? Would that be enough for us to get a guarantee on the room? 

lsvensson

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_freaking-out-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:9a47cada-bd85-4e18-a5ca-18ecdb12b87bPost:9c039a13-4a31-4610-94b1-1ec6d4aa65d2">Re: FREAKING OUT!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have the vista suite also but for two nights though.  Question: We are planning on having dinner at their Burger Bar (since we're burger snobs) and they require a contract so does this qualify as using their catering? Would that be enough for us to get a guarantee on the room? 
Posted by AnaC09[/QUOTE]

<div>Unless you're having the burgers brought up to the suite, I doubt it.  I think they specifically want you to use their Catering department (not one of their restaurants) and require that the food be in-suite to give you any guarantee of note getting bumped.</div>

AJF021410

It's against the rules to use outside catering.

starree444

I know it's technically against the rules but some people can't afford a minimum of $60/head. I can't afford MBs catering or chapel services. If I could have, my life would be much easier!

AJF021410

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_freaking-out-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:9a47cada-bd85-4e18-a5ca-18ecdb12b87bPost:ec9f2f99-02f4-42f8-b0a9-43e724a517fe">Re: FREAKING OUT!</a>:
[QUOTE]I know it's technically against the rules but some people can't afford a minimum of $60/head. I can't afford MBs catering or chapel services. If I could have, my life would be much easier!
Posted by rtzrill[/QUOTE]

I totally understand and respect that but unfortunately there is the risk of getting caught. Some girls have pulled it off without a hitch and others....not so much. They will give priority to a bride having her mb catered reception there to anyone else that may have had it booked. If you are super worried, there are definitley reception locations that are less than $60/pp

starree444

It's more than just that. No matter what we do, we're going to have to rent the suite either for the reception or the ceremony so it doesn't make sense, nor can we afford it, to do them at separate locations.

mizutamababy

I would just do what one of the above posters said and book online if you're dead set on it.  Don't tell them what it's for if you don't have to.

Just know you run the risk and have a back-up plan ready if need be.    Although I would make sure your have a family member or someone to fall back on (100% for sure) to help out in the instance that it does go haywire or you need assitance decorating, etc.

wiwicaty

Unfortunately AJF is right, they'll give priority to others that have hired MB catering. If I were you I'd really make an effort to either reserve the suite for more than 1 night or budge and use their catering. The thought of having to worry about the wedding day arrangements flying out the window would terrify me. I remember that poor knottie that went through that not too long ago... can't remember her name....

starree444

I know. It's just hard when you're working with such a small budget.

I haven't booked the suite yet because i'm thinking. I know there is a way that we can reserve the suite for more than just one night. That would be easier then trying to use MB catering. I don't know what their food is like, and the food is very important my FH and myself.

bigbeautifulfemme

Why do you have to use the Vista Suite?  There are plenty of other large suites in Vegas for similar prices.  Have you looked into Planet Hollywood?

starree444

I have looked into planet hollywood and none of their suites are available for the weekend that i would need them. I think the world poker tour actually starts the day after my wedding. Because of that, most of the hotels on the strip don't have larger suites available.

vegasgroom

Yeah I think a multi-night booking definitely decreases the chances of not getting the room.  If some whale is in the vista for free and decides he's going to stay an extra day, they're going to let him, and if that was the last vista available and all the rest were given out on a Friday for a two night stay, you're the odd one out unfortunately.  Booking an extra night as a possible insurance method would definitely be less expensive than using their catering.  I hate wasting money as much as anyone but if $400 helps ensure the day goes smoothly, might be worth it.

Or, like PP said, there are some other options for suites that size at hotels that I can only assume care more about their guests since MB is the only one we've heard these issues reported about so far. :-)

starree444

I'm just having problems finding another hotel that has any larger suites available that weekend.

Caesars palace has some suites but they are too expensive. They do have one suite that we can afford, but there are no pictures of it on the website. It's in the Roman tower, which is, from what i undersand, the oldest tower on the property.

I'm just really confused and frustrated and stressed.

smokeybailey

What about the Stardust Suite? I think that us the Orleans and they have a $3500 min for the venue. I did my RD in a spa tower suite at the GN. We had 30 guests and used MC. With food, beer and wine, we spent under $2k, maybe closer to $1500. And we hired Travis Allen. Great times. Is the WSOP is in town, you're chances of being bumped on a one night res will increase greatly. Can you downsize the wedding? If budget is a concern, invite fewer people.

starree444

How did you manage food and booze and the suite, and entertainment for under 2K?

I'm already at about 3K and that doesn't include entertainment.

Also, did you have any problems with MC? Were they stopped at all?

smokeybailey

That number I gave you was f&b only. MC was about $1k. Beer, wine and extras were about $500. Grooms cake $65 plus $100 for the coordinator who did the legwork on getting the cake and booking our piano man. Travis Allen was $250 + $100 for tip. The suite itself was probably about $400 per night. I'm not sure because it was in our ceremony package. But my thursday and Sunday nights were $309/night. After Travis left we had an iPod but we kept turning it down because people were talking. An RD is different than a wedding and I would have done more it was an actual reception but it worked out well for our needs. MC had no problems. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing though but the bell desk brought the booze and ice to the room with no problems.

smokeybailey

I should add that if anyone had hassled us we would have pulled the "we are spending $x at your hotel on rooms, ceremony, reception, table service post reception, cabanas on Sunday, so don't tell me I can't have a party in my room." But there was no need. The GN was very accommodating. we had a HUGE ballroom and our minimum was only $5625. Smaller ballroom/smaller minimum. Ceremony packages start at $295 for midweek. Just sayin'.

lsvensson

This might be counter-intuitive, but, are you dead-set on an in-suite?  Depending upon the amount of people you have, you could do a nice buffet for around $45/pp and then just head out to a bar/lounge?  Granted, that way I know you can't do the first dance and the other traditional music-related stuff but it might be more affordable?

jessjj55

I called about 2 weeks ago asking about a suite at 'THeHOtel MB" i also mentioned it was for a reception. The lady was super helpul and never asked me about catering. It seems as though, it depends on how and who helps you book the suite, and they have a don't ask, don't tell policy. Not sure if my situation is different because i have a WC at the MB and she booked an E suite for me. She knows i plan on having a reception and has not mentioned catering to me at all! I just hope i don't run into problems either. It makes me nervous.

starree444

@smokey - I'm looking into the GN. I inquired about their ceremonies and prices. I think that might be our best option at this point. We are actually able to afford a spa tower suite for 2 or three nights. I also like the idea that if we do the ceremony in the suite, there is a stairway for my entrance . Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. I don't know what I would do without you all!

Orphel

If you are thinking of having the ceremony in suite (I believe that is what you said) then you'll likely be needing extra chairs or other items which you'll need to get through the hotel.  That should be enough for them to put a note in the system - just ask that department to put a note on your reservation.

We are getting married in the Chapel and doing an in suite reception but not using their catering.  The wedding planner in the Chapel put a note in the reservation.  Masterpiece catering said that they have never seen an instance where they were doing the catering and there was an issue with the suite- so my fingers are crossed!

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_freaking-out-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:9a47cada-bd85-4e18-a5ca-18ecdb12b87bPost:61bd6d10-0adc-4b89-8599-e95e5817d84f">Re: FREAKING OUT!</a>:
[QUOTE]@smokey - I'm looking into the GN. I inquired about their ceremonies and prices. I think that might be our best option at this point. We are actually able to afford a spa tower suite for 2 or three nights. I also like the idea that if we do the ceremony in the suite, there is a stairway for my entrance :). Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. I don't know what I would do without you all!
Posted by rtzrill[/QUOTE]

Stairway entrance is a nice touch; my wife came down the stairs inside Mix during our ceremony.  Only issue was that there wasn't enough room to walk side by side with her dad on the Mix stairs so he had to walk a step ahead of her lol.

starree444

That sounds so pretty! And it's ok that he was a step ahead of her because if she had tripped he could have caught her! We'll see what happens. All official plans are on hold right now. We might be able to afford a small plane from where we are. If that's the case I might be getting married in my home town instead of Vegas. Vegas is my dream, but sometimes you have to compromise.