Plan a wedding off the top of your head?

applecider · January 2010

Hi Knotties,
I'm from the class of 2005.

Anyways, my sister needs some knottie help. My sister's FI is in the Army and is currently in Afghanistan. They were planning on getting married in January 2011 in Mexico or maybe the Carribean or the Bahamas. But, he might be stationed at a base in Europe after this so they're thinking of getting married this summer when he gets back. Maybe as soon as Memorial Day weekend.

So now my poor sister is stressed because she thought she had plenty of time to save money and plan a super-romantic wedding.

Here is your mission, should you choose to accept it:

If you were going to plan a wedding with a, say, $4000 budget in the next 10 minutes which vendors would you use?

She's down in Tacoma near the base. She wants to have a "huge" wedding. She's down with public parks and grocery store platters, but she would like for it to still feel romantic, like a proper wedding, and not a random party in a community center. Also, she's really stressed as it is, so I think I'm going to encourage her to limit the DIY.

Does anyone know anything about the Center at Brown's Point? (We both have a thing for beach weddings).

1) Site (Price)
2) Photographer (Price)
3) Food/Booze (Price)
4) Cake/Cupcakes (Price)

I think those are the big ticket items.

Any other suggestions are appreciated!

sarack · January 2010

browns point is a great place. we had it reserved and then fi changed his mind.. i wish i was still getting married there. it can't hold a HUGE wedding though. probably 150 max! they have long rectangle tables and chairs available for INSIDE the place, nothing can go outside unless its on the patio. the park next door isn't one that you have rent, its kinda first come first serve. but its also a private park. the deposit is 300 and it rents for 1500.

1. site, browns point - 1600 just to be safe

2. I couldn't skimp on this. Jenny GG $1600

3. i would make a bunch of lasagnas, add some side dishes, bring water, 2 types of soda. you could even enlist different family members to make food. make it potluck style.. or just assign your great aunt georgia who makes the killer lasagna to prepare them, you'll get her the supplies.. and you can warm them the day of the wedding (browns has an onsite kitchen. its very nice. Get a keg or two and a couple dozen bottles of wine. 500.

4. albertsons, safeway- they have really cute cakes, you can jazz them up with some flowers that you get. the one that i like is about $175.

so i'm a little over budget.

But, I think it isn't that much over. Goodluck!

carrieoz_76 · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_plan-wedding-off-top-of-head?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:104Discussion:61a547c2-069f-4bb3-86a6-08ee8301326dPost:1f6b1344-4f70-4ff8-a17a-246c7c04cb52">Plan a wedding off the top of your head?</a>:
[QUOTE] Here is your mission, should you choose to accept it: If you were going to plan a wedding with a, say, $4000 budget in the next 10 minutes which vendors would you use? She's down in Tacoma near the base. She wants to have a "huge" wedding. She's down with public parks and grocery store platters, but she would like for it to still feel romantic, like a proper wedding, and not a random party in a community center. Also, she's really stressed as it is, so I think I'm going to encourage her to limit the DIY. Does anyone know anything about the Center at Brown's Point? (We both have a thing for beach weddings). 1) Site (Price) 2) Photographer (Price) 3) Food/Booze (Price) 4) Cake/Cupcakes (Price) I think those are the big ticket items. Any other suggestions are appreciated!
Posted by applecider[/QUOTE]<div>I accept! First, though, with your budget and time constraints, I'd suggest considering days other than Saturday - a Thursday or Friday night or Sunday afternoon would all work. Your sister should probably also seriously consider cutting down the guest list. Guests are the MOST expensive thing about weddings (or, the food/space/alcohol you need for them). Ok here goes...</div><div>
<div>Site - Point Defiance park - you could do a ceremony at the Rose Garden, if you can get the weather to agree with you. Or you could do the ceremony inside in one of their 2 reception locations (one's bigger than the other). Or check out The Farm in Poulsbo - it's an organic restaurant on a farm and looks really cool. I don't know if it's on the water, but they do have nice outdoor space.</div><div>Photographer - I liked this Tacoma photographer - <a href="http://electrafrye.com/">http://electrafrye.com/</a></div><div>Food - Southern Kitchen or Porter's Place - they're both awesome local Southern food restaurants and they both cater.</div><div>Booze - See if you can serve it yourself. I actually have no idea on this, but the caterers might have some ideas.</div><div>Cake - Affairs Bakery in University Place is really affordable. Taste test their stuff, though, b/c I've tried lots of their baked goods, which are yummy, but not wedding cake.</div><div>
</div><div>Good luck!</div></div>

jennuinne · January 2010

That's a tough one, especially the budget and a large guest list.

(1) The Center at Browns point looks really cool on the website, (http://www.brownspoint.org/rental.html). Rates depend on day and whehter you're a member, $575-$1525. In Seattle, there's Golden Gardens on the beach, $1200 rental on Fri-Sun, $1610 w/ all fees. The Chapel on Echo Bay is near the water on Fox Island, around $1500.

(2) Photographer is tough. We're using C2 Photography. Their current prices are $1300 for 6 hours, 2 photographers, all images on CD & online.

(3) Make sure your venue lets you bring your own. For booze, get a keg and cases of wine. You'll also have to deal w/ rentals or disposable glasses/plates, etc. For food, you could DIY to keep costs down or go w/ a grocery store. Metroplitan Market does platters, catering. Also, some caterers, like BBQ, are affordable. Flame Catering is $9.95/pp.

(4) Cupcakes are cheaper, you can go w/ a grocery store. Safeway does cute cupcake towers (they were at the wedding show). Cupcakes are $150 for 75 people.

DIY DJ, rental of speakers etc. is about $500.
Have friend/family officiate. (free)
If using flowers, DIY from Pike Place Market.

KST_ · January 2010

Can I accept half the mission?
3) Food/Booze (Price)
Three cheapest food options: 1) dessert & "champagne" reception which can get super-romantic, 2) afternoon tea (what I'm doing), 3) brunch.

Dessert & Champagne, get the cheapest prosecco or sparkling white you can find. Set up some mixing options such as OJ, Grapefruit Juice, berries and a liquer like pomegranate. Get a cutting cake from grocery store, then I would suggest prebaking a lot of fun little individual desserts if you know someone with an upright fridge. A TON of things freeze well - mini cheesecakes, cookies, truffles.

Tea We're getting little sandwiches from Metropolitan market, the moms and I are baking lots of scones, breads (banana, poundcakes) ahead of time and freezing, Trader Joe's has great little pastry bites of puff pastry & cheese, etc for better pricing than any catering, and a huge pile of strawberries and devonshire cream. Beverages are coffee, tea, and juice, perhaps some sparkling white wine for mimosas.
Brunch Similar to tea, bake ahead of time scones and muffins, have huge fruit platters, prebake several strattas or quiche and reheat. Coffee, tea, and juice.

4) Cake/Cupcakes (Price)
Safeway has the best cake out of all the grocery stores in my opinion, and I LOVE cake.

jennuinne · January 2010

Oh, I agree with sarack, family style pasta and salad would be yummy and very affordable. I had a friend who did this for an Italian-themed wedding and had a restaurant cater that doesn't normally cater, and it was very affordable.

MrsH8172010 · January 2010

1. I'm no help here I'll keep my eye out
2. GigHarborphotography.com, Jenny GG, or HR Northwest. For an excellent price and what looks like quality pictures you should look at gig harbor photography. I am not using it because I really want two photogs and I haven't met him but by looking at his website he seems like he really is into what he does and he was just recently recommended on here.
3. I'm no help here either : ( .... costco has good stuff and platters.. a lot of food for less price... oh FFIL has been getting us super cheap really good wine from some grocery store I will check for you when I talk to FI
4.Safeway I have heard has good cakes for a good price, I'm going for a tasting to see on sat. so I can let you know then.

I also agree... if it's possible do a weekday wedding!! I am having mine on a Tuesday and I didn't even think of this when I decided to have it on a Tuesday but I have been saving lots of money from every vendor!

I hope this helps I'll let you know anything else I can think of!! I wish your friend the best of luck!!!!!

Tygirljojo · January 2010

Welcome back, alum! Based on trying to get the most for the budget:

1) Site (Price) I've heard Brown's Point is really nice. I would also look into is You and Me By the Sea in Olalla just past Gig Harbor I believe In-Season (Apr-Oct) Sat 9-3 $995, Sat 4-10 $1995. Not sure about Sunday or Friday rates. Also, maybe check into The Landmark in Tacoma. Can't recall the rates, you have to use in-house catering but I've heard the food is good. Only downside to the place is the DJ they contract with - I've heard to spend the extra few hundred to have them allow you to bring in your own.

2) Photographer (Price) - I'm with Sara, I had to splurge on Jenny. But to keep the cost down, another photog I did consider was Fike Fotography, although her prices did go up a little since I looked, she still seems reasonable and I know she did a couple Knotties last summer $1050 for 6 hrs or $1350 for 8. FWIW,Jen Wade worked a lot with Jenny GG last summer, but I don't know her pricing.

3) Food/Booze (Price) - Food,Renton Tech College has good reviews, even my DOC says their food is really good. Or if she's okay with minimal communication and no contract, Flame Catering, but if she's already stressed, I would probably avoid them just due to the lack of communication (but I hear they always come through!) Booze - 3 buck Chuck wine from TJ's and a keg of something.
4) Cake/Cupcakes (Price) - Renton Tech College

HTH! I should also add (since it's a fairly new feature for us) you can click on the bolded Blue words and it should open a link to the vendor's site.

applecider · January 2010

Ha! I used Flame Catering at my wedding and that's so true! Good to see they're still keeping brides on the edge of their seats.

MrsH8172010 · January 2010

I checked with FI and he said at Saars Market they have a variety of good wines for 2.50-4 dollars a bottle. He went to the one in Port Orchard but I think they may have one in Seattle and other places.

KST_ · January 2010

Which wines have you been trying from there? Any sparkling whites perchance?

dbraulik · January 2010

Due to FI getting laid off Oct 1st, we have been able to scale back on practically everything. Our other choice would have been to wait another 2 years.

1) venue- BrownsPoint. They are $1500 for 9am to 1am!! So plenty of time for decorating and pics.They have all the tables and chairs for 150 guests. And the park is big and has fantastic photo ops. Another interesting venue is Highline Community College in Des Moines. For $800 - you can rent the grounds and the student hall. It is a gorgeous building that can hold up to 300 people. Huge tall ceilings and windows. Outside is lots of gardens / patio space / concrete walkways / and a nice grassy area with a dry river bed. And they even have a patio area with a view of the sound (that's where we would have had our ceremony). You have to use the inhouse caterer (food services dept) but the prices were really reasonable.

2) I'm going with JennyGG too. But the others I looked at were Aaron Barna and Fike. And I agree- Jen Wade is portfolio building and shoots a lot with Jenny and her she has a good eye.

3) because brown's point lets you self cater- we are having a friend do our catering. They have a full / industrial kitchen and so he can prepare it there. And we can also self cater the alcohol. We can have what ever we want as long as we get a liquor permit. So we are hiring a bartender for $150 all night to pour what we have purchased. We have a friend that owns 2 bars. They provide kegs to go. And we've had friends go on cruises/to canada/to mexico this past year so we have gotten liquor super cheap!!

4) cake- one of the caterers we originally talked with suggested Top Foods. The cake is moist and a cake for 150 was $138. But again we were able to get creative with this. Fi is making a wedding cake. And since I am not a cake fan, we are having a 2 bite / mini dessert bar. Pies, brownies, lemon bars, etc. My aunt makes fabulous brownies and lemon bars that everyone asks for so she volunteered.

And cash and carry has small cheesecakes, chocolate tortes, etc for $24 for 12.

So it is do-able with $4,000. There are dresses on CL, or preowned, etc. Flowers can be purchased in bulk from Costco or Sam's. Or go to a farmers market for flowers.

Plan a wedding off the top of your head?

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