I want a hotel for my reception but all I can afford is a banquet hall.. i think.?

Re: I want a hotel for my reception but all I can afford is a banquet hall.. i think.?

• Jeni10csc member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  i suggest going to a hotel that's not in such an expensive neighborhood. The Grove, The Gables, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, even Downtown ... they will charge more because of the area and high demand.  They should be able to negotiate further.  I'm not sure, but that's my guess

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• giselle28 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  I agree but I don't know which would be good ones to look at ?

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• Jeni10csc member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  LOL.  I'm not that well-informed right now, BUT here are the ones that comes to mind right now (and I'll list more as I think of them.)
  
  Hotel Sofitel
  Marriott Airport
  The Hotel where Miami Merchandise Mart is - it's switched a few times in the last few years - I think it's currently a Doubletree
  Doral Intercontinental (I think it's listed as West Miami on their website)
  Hilton Miami Airport
  
  
  You may also want to look into 94th Aerosquadron - it's a restaurant - not a hotel- with a room for parties ... but it has a few hotels very very nearby - like a block away. (the Sofitel and the Hampton)
  
  
  

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• Shuutnstar

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  And as much as it sux to hear this piece of advice... it really may be the way to go...
  
  Have you thought about thinning your guest list. 200 people is a lot and a huge regret that most brides have is they invited so many people that they wish they hadn't invited later on.
  
  I had an original guest list of 125... but I cut that down to 75 and now I am having my wedding somewhere nice that we afford and we won't be starting our marriage out by going into debt.
  

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

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• meli1134 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  When I was looking I pretty much checked out all the hotels in the Miami/Coral Gables area and most hotels run about $90+ pp or you have to have a minimum on food & alcohol.   Having the wedding on a Friday nite or Sunday afternoon reduces the cost somewhat and yes, you may want to cut down on the invitees.
  
  You may want to check out Signature Gardens, also there is Miami Springs Country Club, went to a wedding there recently and it's really nice.

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• caleb0318 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  I would suggest checking out my venue. It was the Doubletree Grand Biscayne Bay. If you do a Friday or Sunday, the minimum amount is less and also, they took of a certain amount pp.
  
  Also, I would check out Miami Marriot Biscayne Bay, which is next door. The price range is about the same but the view at the Doubletree sold me.
  
  GL
  

  http://jennandryan.weebly.com/

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• giselle28 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  Thanks I will look up all those hotels and see what they quote me..... i personally don't like the signature grand because its very 15's ish for me i guess because all of my friends did there 15's there so i see it more juvenile i wanted more of a view.... but thanks guys for the ideas about thinning the guest list i know that really i should try to do 175 because the thing is i started with 250 because my fiances family is huge and local so I know they will come... but i guess i just have to negotiate!!!! if you guys think of any other place please let me know.

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• bluebook member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have to warn you, if 20k if your budget for the whole wedding (and not just the food/drink at the reception), it's going to be pretty much impossible. The food/drink was about 40% of my total budget which is why I'm thinking if 20k was your total budget you'd need a hotel to come down to $40 per person with taxes and surcharges included (usually 30% or really, $28 per person for 200 people if you take out those taxes and surcharges).  I just don't know that there is a hotel out there who can do that.
  
  Now if 20k is your food/drink budget then that's much more reasonable, but if that was it I would think you could do the $96 that you were quoted.
  
  I would look into the Shane Center for that number of people and that budget.  Yes it's not a hotel but it's not a banquet hall either, and it's a gorgeous space where you can bring any caterer you like. It's a lot easier to find a caterer who can do a decent meal for $40 per person than it is to find a hotel that will provide it for you.
  
  Another place you might want to check out is Red Fish Grill. I can't remember if they had a persons minimum right now, but I do remember that to rent out their whole place was 16k, and maybe you could negotiate that down especially on a Friday or a Sunday afternoon.
  
  Hope that helps and good luck with planning!
  

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• MariMac84 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  pssssst.... just something I noticed....

  
  

  Signature Gardens and The Signature Grand are 2 different places  

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• Dee729 member

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  try to find a place that has EVERYTHING included in your package.  I think the coco womans club has an all-inclusive package.
  
  OR if you are set on a hotel...ask if its cheaper on a friday or sunday night.
  

  Planning Bio

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• mikeschickie

  

  May 2010 edited December 2011

  Try the bayshore loft! its in the grove/brickell area very modern and budget friendly! they will work with your budget... we are looking into them or sky lobby
  
  http://www.bestmiamiweddings.com/locations/knightsloftonbayshore.php?gallery=1

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