Eastland Park Hotel--anyone know much about them?

Re: Eastland Park Hotel--anyone know much about them?

• jelenybeany member

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  I considered them. The coordinator I spoke with was really nice. a little pushy/salesy but nothing too obnoxious. It is after all, her job. A friend got married there last year and it was really really nice, and I was surprised at how affordable they were too. I know that they wanted something a little absurd to get married on the property, like $500-$600 (I thought that was outrageous considering you can get married nearby in South Portland or Cape outside for free for super cheap) and she tried telling me that churches in the area charged $2000 so they felt that was fair.
  
  I could be horribly wrong, but I'm pretty sure if you belong to a church they don't charge you $2000 to get married there.
  
  Anywho, we decided on an outdoor wedding, but they were nice and seemed affordable. How many people are you looking to invite?
  

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• hcorr34 member

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  Wow! I would never put them in the "reasonable" range for a reception in Portland. We must have different ideas of what is "reasonable" because their prices, even their lowest package, was way out of my budget!  Even their current discount for certain dates, requiring a $5000 minimum is not a "deal" for me. 
  
  If that price is in your range, have you checked out the Regency?  When I was doing my initial search, I was more impressed by what they offered than the Eastland.

  

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• ce827

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  Hi, I am getting married there on 4/21/12 and i have had a really great experience so far. Lindsay Marsh is the wedding person and she is an absolute sweetheart.  They are very reasonable for what you get.  AND my wedding block room rates are amazing!  def suggest them as a venue.

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• ce827

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  if you get married at eastland they charge 500. I was originally going to get married on site but then changed it to the immaculate conception down the street which is now costing around 1k. 

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• ValerieCH member

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  Jeleny--I honestly haven't done much research on what other places in the area cost for the ceremony, mainly because I would prefer to get married and have the reception in the same place. I know the First Parish U.U. church is around $300-$500 to get married in because I go there (infrequently). I am looking at about 80 people. I've also been looking further south.
  
  Hcorrigan--I don't know if they're reasonable for Portland, but unless I'm missing some serious fine print, they seemed reasonable for what I've been looking at. $45pp in the off-season? Again, unless I've been seriously misled. My problem is that I want it all in one place and I absolutely do not want to get married outside. I am also getting my photography and sound stuff for free, so it gives me more leeway. I will check out the Regency.
  
  ce827--Congratulations! I'm sure it will be beautiful! Do you mind me asking what the minimum food and beverage requirement is? I know it varies depending on the season and the day of the week. I really like the fact that they throw in the complimentary bridal suite, plus the complimentary additional room for the bridal brunch or rehearsal dinner. I saw pictures online of a couple that was married in the ballroom and then it was flipped for the reception. It was quite beautiful.

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• ce827

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  Hi ValerieCH! Thank you Congrats to you as well!  For what I needed, the Eastland fit perfectly.  I am from the south florida do not have any family up here. Open bar was very important to us because literally every single person on my side for guests and bridal party would be purchasing a plane ticket to be with me on my wedding day and I wanted to take care of as many things as i could. The eastland packages were perfect for what I wanted and it came with the bridal suite, champange toast, chair covers... centerpieces... blah blah so it worked nicely. Saturday food and bev min is 10k and friday and sunday are 8k.  Also, they are doing a wedding block for me for 89 bucks a night for up to 3 days before the wedding and 3 days after (end of april) so thats a huge savings right there for my guests.  Room rates are vary from 120-160ish at other hotels for that time of year. Eastland really works with you.  Ive already sold out of my wedding block and its still 9 months away but they are going to be giving me another block as well for up to 20 rooms. So im excited about that!  We also picked portland because its completely walkable and my guests could just fly in and not have to rent a car.  Im doing the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception right in the old port . 
  
  AND the ballroom is very beautiful.  If you are looking for a the ballroom-ish type wedding, its great--it has a staircase and its huge.  I feel in love with it when i saw it.
  If you have any questions--ask away!!!  Good Luck.  You know picking the venue was the worst possible part of the wedding planning for me. I hope its better for you!   There are so many options and so many different things you can do that it gets overwhelming.  Hang in there sistah!
  

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• ValerieCH member

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  Hi ce827! Thanks for the info! I did walk myself downtown to the Eastland. There was a wedding going on later in the day so I got to peek at everything set up. It was gorgeous. Lindsay was obviously busy so I didn't ask for her and just kind of walked around for a bit.
  
  The Eastland is in my top two venues. It would be my top venue if I could get them to do just a beer and wine bar with the Silver Package (or a regular 1-hour cocktail hour) because it would make it much cheaper than my other choice. Plus, you can't beat the fact that they provide the complimentary bridal suite and rehearsal room. No matter where we get married, we plan on moving the after-party to our suite and the pictures I've seen of it are beautiful! The room rates are good too, if I can get them as low as they offered you! A lot of my friends are anywhere from a half an hour to two hours from me so having a the wedding in a hotel or very near one is a must.
  
  Their discounted dates for this year are around the time I want to get married next year (November). I may ask if they would lower the minimum and waive the ballroom fee because my date is in the off-season. I wouldn't want to wait until next year and hope they discount the rates for those dates again!
  
  Finding a venue is super stressful! I feel like I'm looking at countless websites and e-mailing a million people. Once I pick a venue for sure I will feel better and then I can ease up on the wedding stuff for awhile....well, maybe!

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• karinc120 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  I looked there as well for September 2012, and I was discouraged walking away from my meeting because they will be renovating the entire hotel from February-August and couldn't take any new bookings in September or October because they weren't sure if they construction will be over.
  
  Just curious what you guys have been told about the renovation/construction.

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• dwilkinson1 member

  

  September 2011 edited December 2011

  My daughter was booked for September 2012 and was just told they are refunding the deposit. They are closing for renovations from 1/11 to 7/2013.... It is beautiful and will be even more beautiful, but for now. better look elsewhere. We are looking at the Landing at Pine Point as an alternatiive. Good Luck.

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