Northern VA Wedding reception on a budget

Re: Northern VA Wedding reception on a budget

• ailyn_80

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Thanks for sharing this, I am a budget bride too, is there anyway you can share to me your research, I would love to hear from you!

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• spuliafico member

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  We found some great places too, Madigans on the River in Occoquan is super cheap (like $45pp) but we aren't using there as much as we love it (we're loyal restaurant customers) cause they don't have an elevator and my grandmother's 85.We're using the Grand Atrium in Tyson's...$70pp $475 for open bar for 4 hours no gratuity just 5% tax in addition...and we're doing it at the most expensive time/day they offer (Saturday night) from 7-12. They offer they're own DJ too for $495 which isn't bad...and they don't have cake cutting fees or pouring fees even if you bring your own alcohal which they let you do for no charge...and it's gorgeous.I was pleasently surprised at how budget friendsly a reception can be, we had initially planned to do a backyard reception at FI's grandma's cause that's where we're getting married but it's actually cheaper to do it at a venue!

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• m_masino

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Yes Grand Atrium in Tysons is definitely a great, beautiful location. I was quoted the same price (70pp).  Same fees--tax only 5%, no site fee, service charges, etc...flat rate for the bar and they have a cheap on site DJ. The problem is that they have time restraints---like on a Saturday night there are two wedding receptions that day--an afternoon and an evening, so if you want to do a night reception there it would have to start no earlier than 7pm. I know for me--church on Saturday would be done by 4 because they have services and I've been to weddings where I've had to find things to do until the reception started. If you've got a lot of out of town guests, I'd think against this because having done it...it wasn't very fun for me as a guest from out of town--finding something to do for three hours and going to a local bar wasn't the solution because someone has to be sober to drive to the reception. And if you're from out of town--navigating tysons and that whole beltway under construction area is a nightmare. Other places...Holiday Inns--while I haven't found their customer service to be stellar (two people scheduled appointments with me and then were off the day I came in--and it wasn't a sick day--not sure why they wouldn't call me to let me know), but their prices are cheap--like the one in Ballston--included a 3 hour open bar for $48pp (then add on that 31% tax/gratuity but still 63 pp). Holiday Inn Old Town said they could work with a 5000 budget in their off months, and the Sheraton Old Town said the same. At the Sheraton Old Town and that Holiday Inn I mentioned, you would be the only function there. The Sheraton Old Town has a beautiful courtyard you can use for your cocktail hour. Contact Mia Smith. The Holiday Inn Old Town has a nice terrace that is outdoors, but it overlooks the indoor pool--so you'll just have to pray no hotel guests are taking a swim in their speedos during your reception because the people watching will be on them:) The Hyatt in Rosslyn is beautiful, but pricier--but if you're willing to pay 100pp it includes your 4 hour open bar and your taxes/gratuities. Ask for Susan Funk. She's really cool. Here's more--the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfax-- $44pp for dinner buffet and then they offer some bar packages. Need to add on the 31% there for total. For a non hotel- Also try the Chantilly Golf and Country Club. You don't need to be a member. They have their prices online and do everything there for you. It's 85-90pp inlcuding tax and gratuity- four hour open bar. You can get rooms at the Hyatt in Chantilly and they may offer a shuttle for your guests staying the night (my friend did that). The reason I'm looking at hotels is 1. It saves on limo fees. Once you're at the reception site, you don't need the limo anymore, so that saves time and therefore money! 2. They comp you a bridal suite. 3. They give you great rates on your guest rooms (also ask them to reduce their parking rates--they can unless they don't own their garage like the Hyatt in Rosslyn). Hope this helps!

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• ailyn_80

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  OH my, this is very helpful, thanks for taking your time to write all these, wish me luck in finding a venue,it should be fun! Goodluck with your wedding plans as well!

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• spuliafico member

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  I do agree that the times at the Atrium can be a little inconvenient but we're having an outdoor wedding at 5pm, which is when it was scheduled to being regardless so it works out really well for us...and with their arrangement with the Hilton Garden Inn we don't have to worry about limo service after the reception either cause they have a shuttle which is great, and the room rates they have set up are awesome!

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• m_masino

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Don't get me wrong--the Atrium is beautiful and if I could swing the times, I would do it there.  Unfortunately the fiance is catholic so I'm stuck working around them and all their ideals/rules!  My friend had a 5pm wedding and it was fabulous--went right to the reception which started at 7.  So it just depends on your church/wedding site. 

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• rdp111

  

  September 2009 edited December 2011

  this information is soooo helpful!! i'm getting married 07/10/10 and we have to pay for the wedding ourselves as well! thank you for posting this information! dulles expo bridal show sunday 9/13!! hopefully will be some great deals there as well on places!! never thought this would be so stressful, but it's worth it

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