package deal or buy seperate?

amalone113 · June 2011

My budget is around $20,000. I am going to be having 150 to 200 guests..still working on a list. Ive been looking into Spinellis, Andover country club, Danversport Yacht Club, Montvale Plaza, and the Sheraton Colonial in Wakefield. Is it cheaper to buy per plate-with nothing included and get my own photographer, florist, limo, and dj...or try to buy a package deal?

luv2teech7 · June 2011

Depends on whether you like the vendors offered by the venue. Their budget for each item is far less than mine will be. In other words, I didn't need the DJ or limo, and only the decorative flowers....so the amount they'd allocate to "return" to me or to spend elsewhere wasn't worth it. My coordinator at the venue we chose told me it would be best for me not to buy a package because of it. I hoped for the package only because it would help me stay on budget....but my coordinator has been fantastic with that. Good luck!

~Tuck~ · June 2011

We went with a venue that included a lot (all the floral centerpieces/decorations, cake, food, wine for toast, and much more) but it did not include DJ, Limo, videographer or photographer. Since it included everything that we knew we would be using, we went with them and saved a bundle. We used the Oceanview of Nahant, and we loved them! You definitely get a lot for your money there.

DirtyWater · June 2011

I would do it on your own. I got much better prices on my own than with the packages I was given to look at. And more for the money. The package a lot of the time is over priced.

Another place to check out in Andover is Indian Ridge Country Club. They dont do ceremonies on the grounds though. But it pretty and you would be the only wedding.

They also dont charge room rental fees. The prices were awesome when I checked them out.

DirtyWater · June 2011

Also, Spinellis quoted me over $25,000 for 150 people with only a standard chicken meal. I didnt like how they worked their numbers and you dont see prices in front of you. They just come up with a number and thats that.

amalone113 · June 2011

thanks everyone..

ya we sat down at spinellis and they basically just told us a price too. Thank you I will also look into that place. I just want to have a church and reception hall booked and then i wont stress as much. There is so much, and not sure where to start or who to use.

star1126 · June 2011

I am getting married at spinelli's and did not take the package deal. I think you could do better on your own. The amt of money they give you towards flowers isnt that much and invitations can be purchased elsewhere more economically- good luck! PM me if you have any questions...

Lauraandalastair · June 2011

I looked at a lot of places before deciding upon our reception venue. Many places had package deals that, when you did the math, seemed more expensive than if I got my own vendors. We chose Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro and their package came with flowers for venue, flowers for table centerpieces and invitations. Since I needed these things anyway and the price difference was about $220, we went with the package. Good Luck!

Blueyed228 · June 2011

We had 200 people at the Danversport Yacht Club and my sister had 200 people at the Sheraton Colonial in Wakefield. I hate to say it, but you are not going to get much further than food for 200 people at those places.

I know that Danversport has a food minimum for the ballroom. On a Saturday I think the food minimum is either 20K or 25K. For the downstairs room I think its 15K.

You may get in under 20K at Spinellis. I know they do package deals. I have been to weddings there and they were pretty.

I would also suggest Sapphire Estates in Sharon. They have a great package deal. H's cousin got married there and it was really nice.

amalone113 · June 2011

We got a quote from Danversport Yacht Club, it was around $16,000 for 150 people..including food, open bar, and hor dourves(inluding taxes) I thought they were really cheap. It was beautiful there too. I also looked into the Sheraton In Wakefield..they seemed more expensive (per plate). Spinellis has a package deal but the package isnt that great.

I will check out that place, im open to everything right now..since we have so much time to plan.

Thanks everyone!!

Blueyed228 · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_package-deal-buy-seperate?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:8689cf81-2de8-4a88-a3ad-f96163e3f82fPost:ebaadeb2-404f-4942-8fbd-ef3e644aa1a1">Re: package deal or buy seperate?</a>:
[QUOTE]We got a quote from Danversport Yacht Club, it was around $16,000 for 150 people..including food, open bar, and hor dourves(inluding taxes) I thought they were really cheap. It was beautiful there too. I also looked into the Sheraton In Wakefield..they seemed more expensive (per plate). Spinellis has a package deal but the package isnt that great. I will check out that place, im open to everything right now..since we have so much time to plan. Thanks everyone!!
Posted by amalone113[/QUOTE]

If you got that price, its a good deal. If you did their cheapest meal which is the chicken, the cheapest hor dourves, and the 4 hour open bar, from my price list from last year it would bring you in at $16934 (And thats assuming the quote is for the garden terrace)

My sister got married at the Sheraton Colonial in Wakefield and Im pretty sure the chicken dish started at $81 and that was 4 years ago. She had her reception in the Colonial Center up on the hill though. It was beautiful.

If you have any questions about the DYC, feel free to PM me. We loved working with them. And people raved about the food. We only upgraded a few things, like the table cloths. We wanted the floor length ones. And we upgraded the cake.

Also, I know that the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem does a package deal. I had my bridal shower in the ballroom there and they were fantastic to work with as well.

nmcf77 · June 2011

I am using Cafe Escadrille and went with the package as they offered so much more for the money than did other venues using their packages or getting the items priced separately.

goldiegirl423 · June 2011

I'm getting married at Spinelli's, but not using the package, and I'm paying $22k for 195 guests, so it's definitely doable there, if you like their space.

package deal or buy seperate?

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