The Villa at Ridder Country Club

Re: The Villa at Ridder Country Club

• perrieka

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  I'm getting married there and we're spending about $14K for 200 people.  That's just apps, dinner and wine... no open bar.  It depends on the day and time of year but there are usually minimum spending requirements.  We originally looked at a Saturday in September and it was $15K min.  We compromised the date to save money but it turns out we could have easily spent the minimum. 
  
  Here's a tip.... they are willing to negotiate.  Try to get as many discounts as possible up front whether it's a free/discounted dessert table, slider station, wine, discounted meal prices per person, etc.  Tell them you're shooting for less than our actual budget, see what they propose and then go from there.
  
  Good luck!  It's a beautiful place!

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• schettta

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  getting married there this summer spent close to $18 k for 160 w. food, signature drinks, uplighting... you should totally negotiate!

   

  work hard, play even harder!

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• blaharn member

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  Absolutely! We negotiated a lot. I'm getting married there in a few weeks and it's around $12K for 90 guests off season and a Sunday. That's also with open bar and some upgrades

  

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• Annakat1028 member

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  I'm curious - are you all getting married on a Saturday at that price? I was quoted well over $25K for a Saturday night in June. I didn't think it was worth that much - all the minimums, etc. But, they are definitely willing to negotiate and are almost relentless about it.

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• Erica1011

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  Hey, I'm getting married there on a Saturday in early May and it's gonna be like 15K for 150 guests.  We were able to drop the "minimum" by a couple grand by moving to May 5th versus late May  or early June.  She said they expect about 20k for a Saturday in the summer time, so that estimate was given to us as well.
  
  I was able to get 2k of my minimum moved to the bar tab.  So 2k of the 15k required is allotted to be spent on drinks.  I was happy with that since they specifically say all their minimums is on food, not the bar.  There is def lots a room for negotiations with uplighting, meal prices (I saw a $5 difference)   I feel like they "upcharge" a lot just so they can knock things off the total for you, like they are doing you a favor.  But regardless, I love the place and was happy with our end result in the bill.
  
  However, I do think that your options might be limited since youre looking for a Saturday in June.  Most places on par with The Villa require about 20k.  Keep in mind, shifting your day a few weeks earlier in May can save you thousands! GL
  

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• schettta

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  I totally agree... My wedding is in July and we opted for a Sunday wedding because we were allowed to pick a 6 hour block - not 5, like most places! We also wanted to tent and the grounds to ourselves.

  work hard, play even harder!

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• Dayn070104

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  im getting married there on a Sunday in July and while i didnt necessarily get a discount, i was able to get more for my money than i would on a Saturday, plus like PPs said you can get a longer block of time.  We're paying about $20k for 180 people, but that includes uplighting, on site ceremony, extra hors devours, votive candles, a waived split entree fee, etc. AND an open bar.  they are very flexible and negotiable.

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• sarahjcosme member

  

  May 2011 edited December 2011

  I'm getting married there on a friday this September. How did you negotiate uplighting? Just curious?
  Sarah
  

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