Michigan State wedding costs

jnmiller324 · February 2011

My boyfriend & I are getting engaged soon (ring is picked out & now I am just patiently waiting!) and are looking to get married on campus. We've done some research, but are wondering how much something like this will cost for about 150-200 people. We are planning on getting married at the alumni chapel because the room rental at the union is free (says the website). How much can we plan on spending for food, drinks, etc??? We will most likely be paying for 90% of the wedding & need to start saving now. Thanks!!

emarston1 · February 2011

We booked the chapel last year and it was $750 for the 2-5pm time slot and she said the rates go up a little every year so it'll probably be about $775ish. Dates book up fast so once you get engaged, call about the Chapel ASAP so you can get a date.

As far as cost per person is concerned, generally it's going to be about $55-$65 per person depending on the dish/buffet. The prices are similar at the Kellogg Center too.

http://www.catering.msu.edu/sites/all/documents/spartanclub-wedding-menu2011.pdf

They say the chapel holds a 190 people but that includes people in the balcony and on the sides of the altar. So I would cap it at maybe 150 in order for everyone to be seated in the pews (and even then it would be a little tight.)

Also, you get a 10% discount on the chapel if you are a member of the alumni association. It saved us $75 so it was definitely worth it.

jnmiller324 · February 2011

Thank you that's helpful. I don't even know what a reasonable, nevertheless doable budget is. I saw on another post that you are doing a spartan inspired wedding. We are thinking of doing the same thing! However, I am starting to like purple more than green. We really want to have the reception at the spartan club in the stadium, but its hard to pass up a free room rental at the union. What are some of your spartan inspired wedding details if you don't mind me asking?

emarston1 · February 2011

Oh god, if you ask my fiance the entire wedding should be Spartan themed. My goal is that it still looks like a wedding and not a tailgate. Some days I think I'm winning and other days not so much.

FI is one of the biggest MSU fans you will ever meet. We met, fell in love, got engaged all at State so it only seemed natural to get married there as well and incorporate it into the wedding. Plus if it gets him excited about wedding planning, that doesn't hurt either

As far as what's MSU-themed, obviously the Chapel and Kellogg Center. I seriously love the chapel and it is absolutely gorgeous! It even has a couple stained glass windows with Spartan football players!

Our colors are green and white which was more about me being indecisive more than anything. FI suggested it (more as a joke I think) and I just went along because then I didn't have to think about it.

Sparty will be at the reception for an hour (but that's a secret to all the guests), our photos will be from around campus (with the exception of Sparty and Beaumont, you really wouldn't be able to tell though since those are the only 2 landmarks we'll be using). And the Kellogg Center includes an ice sculpture for the reception and we chose the Spartan "S" option.

We are also using one of the big green buses from the MSU transportation department to use between the ceremony and reception. It's a lot cheaper than a limo and kinda cool for pictures. Oh and he wants us to enter to "Thunderstruck" ala the football team.

I think that's pretty much it but I'm sure there are some other things I'm forgetting.

I will give you some advice regarding the various reception venues. We ended up choosing the Kellogg Center because they didn't seem to nickle and dime us like the Union wanted to (we didn't look into the Spartan Club.) The Union was charging a room fee, and a cake cutting fee, a cake service fee, and all that other garbage that adds up. I hate it. Just tell me what the price is going to be. The Kellogg Center didn't do that plus they threw in some added extras. So while you may think you are saving money on the room rental fee, it may get added in somewhere else with the other items. Not saying you shouldn't go with the Union or the Spartan Club but it's just something to think about when you're budgeting.

If you have any other questions, just let me know

planetkari · February 2011

We are having our wedding at the Alumni Chapel with a reception at the Kellogg Center too. We chose Kellogg Center over the Union because the parking situation is much better and they their package includes a lot of extras for the price. We know that's not our cheapest option, but Kellogg always knows how to put on great events and their staff is wonderful. We're not having a Spartan themed wedding because FI didn't attend MSU (or even grow up in Michigan). We also put in a request for Sparty to come to our reception, but we haven't received a confirmation yet. We tried booking our rehearsal dinner at the Spartan Club, but the room was already booked.

jnmiller324 · February 2011

I looked at the Kellogg Center, but it seemed more expensive, but if the union is adding on all these extra costs, then it might not be worth it. I worked at KC my freshman year & I don't remember weddings being very decorative, so that was also a concern for me. I also saw that Forest Akers golf club does receptions, so that might be worth looking into. Did you look into doing the reception outside in the botanical gardens or elsewhere on campus? I thought about that too, but didn't know if it would be too ridiculous.

I've never heard of the green bus...I will look into that. Any info on photographers, etc would be helpful! My BF & I are both from Michigan, but haven't lived there in almost 5 years & I haven't been in EL for almost 7 years, so I know nothing about whats available there. Both my BF & I went to MSU & just like your fiance, he is the biggest spartan fan! Watching football & basketball with him sometimes is a surreal experience!

emarston1 · February 2011

Kari -

The parking situation was definitely the deciding factor for us too. I could not think of where our guests were going to park if we did it at the Union, at meters? In a parking garage on Grand River? Plus I loved the idea that we were already at the hotel so we didn't have to drive anywhere after the reception. My dad was a police officer for nearly 30 years and I know he had concerns about drinking and driving after the reception.

Plus have you seen the suite that they have for the bride and groom? It's gorgeous! I was there a couple months ago and Pam showed me the different rooms that we have in the block and she also showed me the suite. Wow. It's fantastic!

OP - I can't be of much help other than why we chose the Kellogg Center but really just look around and ask for quotes from the various vendors. Figure out what is within your budget and work from there. I've never heard of receptions at the botanical gardens, only ceremonies. You could also look into Hawk Hallow and Eagle Eye golf course. They are a little ways away but are beautiful venues.

Oh and this is the big green bus I was talking about (if you need contact info, just let me know):

gailpete · February 2011

OP- you don't mention when you are thinking of getting married- but the Chapel opens their books for reservations about 18 months out. For example- for the summer of 2011, the books opened the Monday after Thanksgiving 2009. It does book quickly, so I'd settle on your date as soon as you can.

From what I've heard, the Stadium Club costs about $2500 to rent. The cateriing would be the same as the Union.

To the ladies that are having Sparty at the reception- how much does it cost? I'd like to surprise DD and her FI with him at the reception. Thanks.

emarston1 · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-lansing_michigan-state-wedding-costs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:96Discussion:ee108792-d769-468a-95e4-2a130a50bdbfPost:29a6b273-8c6f-4896-a307-4599b887384a">Re: Michigan State wedding costs</a>:
[QUOTE]OP- you don't mention when you are thinking of getting married- but the Chapel opens their books for reservations about 18 months out. For example- for the summer of 2011, the books opened the Monday after Thanksgiving 2009. It does book quickly, so I'd settle on your date as soon as you can. From what I've heard, the Stadium Club costs about $2500 to rent. The cateriing would be the same as the Union. <strong>To the ladies that are having Sparty at the reception- how much does it cost?</strong> I'd like to surprise DD and her FI with him at the reception. Thanks.
Posted by gailpete[/QUOTE]
Our quote was $400 for one hour. We were lucky that we are on campus so there wasn't any mileage fees or other rental fees involved. There may have also been an Alumni Association discount but I can't quite remember.

planetkari · February 2011

I agree, I think our quote for Sparty was $400. It's not cheap, but we think our guests would love it (my whole family are MSU fans) and I would be thrilled to have a picture with Sparty on the most special day of my life.

Regarding the Kellogg Center suite--I have heard that it's great, but I've never seen the room. We're also renting the suite for the night before the wedding so my bridemaids and I can get ready there on the morning and afternoon before the wedding. We're staying at the hotel the week before the wedding, but just in regular guest rooms, which I remember being nice too.

Jsonger237 · February 2011

Emarston-
Can I get the contact info for the green bus rental?
Thanks

emarston1 · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-lansing_michigan-state-wedding-costs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:96Discussion:ee108792-d769-468a-95e4-2a130a50bdbfPost:cc62ca73-bd1b-432c-aba7-e0d975450ae8">Re: Michigan State wedding costs</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree, I think our quote for Sparty was $400. It's not cheap, but we think our guests would love it (my whole family are MSU fans) and I would be thrilled to have a picture with Sparty on the most special day of my life. Regarding the Kellogg Center suite--I have heard that it's great, but I've never seen the room. <strong>We're also renting the suite for the night before the wedding so my bridemaids and I can get ready there on the morning and afternoon before the wedding</strong>. We're staying at the hotel the week before the wedding, but just in regular guest rooms, which I remember being nice too.
Posted by planetkari[/QUOTE]
This is exactly what we are doing too. It is really nice! It's got a bedroom with a king size bed, tv, etc. Then it has a second room with a living area and a dining room table and chairs. I want to say it has 2 bathrooms but only one has a shower. And it has a jacuzzi tub.

[QUOTE]Emarston- Can I get the contact info for the green bus rental? Thanks
Posted by Jsonger237[/QUOTE]

Sure, You have a PM!

jnmiller324 · February 2011

I did not think Sparty was going to cost $400! My plan is to get married summer/early fall 2012, provided that my BF pulls it together & proposes by this summer! I don't want to go into 2013 (mainly because I do not want to be a 31 year old bride), so I hope the chapel has some 2012 dates available. I feel like a date will be the very first thing we do because I know we will be under a time crunch. Our problem isn't planning...its saving money. We've talked about our wedding for a couple years now so I am pretty sure we know what we want. Now that I know the chapel is almost $800, I might go for the botanical gardens because I think that was only $250 plus chair rental, or just find a catholic church, which would hopefully be even cheaper. How do people pay for weddings on their own? Do you put it on credit or take out a loan?

gailpete · February 2011

Definitely try not to go into debt for your wedding.

If you want to save some money there are a number of ways-

Have your wedding on a Friday or Sunday,
Have an early wedding and a brunch reception,
Look into DIY projects for invitations and decor,
Search sites like BravoBride.com or preownedweddingdresses.com for used dress, accessory, jewelry and decor items,
Look at the vendors other Knotties have used to get ideas for reasonable priced vendors (see the stickies at the top of the board),
Don't be afraid to negotiate with vendors and listen to their suggestions for ways to cut costs,
Check out the DIY board for great DIY ideas,

and most importantly, keep coming back here for ideas, suggestions, etc. We are always happy to help.

Good luck.

emarston1 · February 2011

Ditto PP about not going into debt. At the end of the day, a wedding is just a party and it would not be smart to go into massive debt for a party. If you're paying your own way this may mean that you have to either scale back your "vision" and plan the wedding you can afford (without going into debt!) or push the wedding back so you can save.

Just remember that the important thing is that you are marrying your husband. Everything else is just extra.

jnmiller324 · February 2011

Thank you for your help! Once the proposal actually happens (Come on BF!!!!) I'm sure I will be asking more questions about vendors, etc.

mccaneme · February 2011

I saw you said possibly a catholic church, St. John's and St. Thomas are $250. We really wanted to go with the alumni chapel but the price was just too much along with everything else we have to pay for. Our reception will be out at Eagle Eye and their prices are quite reasonable as well! Good Luck with all of your planning, hope he proposes soon!

gravesau · February 2011

emarston1 : Can you give me the contact info for the big green bus??

I am new to this blog. I am getting married on June 2, 2012 at the MSU Alumni Chapel and having the reception at Eagle Eye. Both my fiance and I graduated from MSU and that is where we met so it only seemed perfect that we get married there. We have just started planning so any help would be awesome!!

SusieQ83 · February 2011

emarston1 - THANK YOU for the msu bus idea! We just booked the big 40 person bus for our day and couldn't be happier about it!!! Where did you find that image? Darlene said I could find some pictures on their website but I haven't seen any there.

I also wanted to add a little bit about getting married at St. John or St. Thomas. We're getting married at St. Thomas (although it's all the same parish so the prices apply to both churches) and yes it is a $250 to use the church but there is also a priest tip requested, they reccomment either $100 or $150. They also require you to use their pianist/organist and cantor who are to receive $150 and $100 respectively. There are also a few required seminars that have registration fees so just make sure you're looking at everything at once before you commit so you don't get any surprises later on. It all adds up! :-/

emarston1 · February 2011

Susie -

You're welcome! Glad it worked out for you

I found it on this page: http://transportation.msu.edu/content/mission.html then just edited the image to only have the green bus.

epona225 · April 2011

Btw, this is a little off topic, but I figured I would mention it since you talked about a Catholic church -

A Catholic priest will generally not marry you outside. That's just one of their rules.

In East Lansing, you can have a Catholic wedding at St. Johns, St. Thomas Aquinas, or the Alumni Chapel (the same priests go there). My understanding is that you can't have a Catholic wedding in the gardens.

Sorry if that's not relevant, but I just wanted to make sure you knew before you put a deposit down anywhere!

lguini01 · August 2011

I'm a little late to the post but my fiance and I want to get married at MSU and I couldn't be more excited to find all this amazing advice!! My fiance is a MSU alumn and I've only been to campus once so I know barely anything (other than football and basketball on TV). We are currently in Philadelphia Pa where I'm from so I will either be planning long distance or trying to find a planner (any suggestions?)

Will they perform a Catholic mass ceremony at the Alumni Chapel? I have no problem being married somewhere else, but my fiance has his heart set on being married on campus and I had no idea it was even possible until he sent me your post.

Thanks All!! Lisa

emarston1 · August 2011

Lisa -

Yes, they will perform a Catholic mass in the chapel but you have to be careful of time constraints. You only have the chapel for 3 hours and that includes from the moment you walk in the doors to the moment everything has to be taken out of the church.

Although it looks like you want a fall wedding - they don't book the chapel on home football weekends. I don't think the football schedule is out for next year but it's something to be mindful of.

Michigan State wedding costs

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