I am interesed in two places to get married. The Grand Ritz Palm and the Kitty Hawk Pier. I am not getting married until May 2012 so I have plenty of time but I am on a very limited budget. I like the Kitty Hawk Pier but I am inviting around 130 people, which is exactly how many people it can hold and I am worried it will be too small. I love the Grand Ritz Palm but it is very pricey and I am worried about asking my friends to pay money to stay there. I emailed "Brindley Beach Realty" to see if maybe I could do a half week at the Grand Ritz Palm because I know a lot of brides must want to get married there but it is too expense. Any thoughts?
Re: Grand Ritz Palm or Kitty Hawk Pier
If they hold 130 and thats how many your inviting...do you really expect 100% attendance? Only you know your guests, but I'd imagine some of the 130 won't be able to attend so you won't be at the absolute maximum that it can hold. Plus, even if you're close to that maximum # they know how to make thigns look "uncramped." Talk w/ your contact there to see how they'd setup for say 100 vs 130 in a layout so you have all your info down on paper.
I am actually a little worried though... We are booked for July 2011, and they said the max capacity is 150. We intend to keep it as close as we can to 120 due to budget, but it is certainly possible we might have more than 130!
My favorite thing about the Pier is that they do everything. Some people didn't like that they couldn't have an outside caterer, for example, but we thought the food was good. They also include table linens, centerpieces, dinnerware, cakecutting and so many other things in the "room rental" fee. They also tell you up front that 20% gratuity will be included in the bill, which is nice to know!
But its really up to your taste and preferences! Good luck with the decision!!!
My fiance, my family and I viewed "The Grande Ritz Palm" a few weeks ago, during Open House. The home and the entire premises was AMAZING!. It was nicer than any movie stars home weI have ever seen on TV. The pictures do not do it justice. We spent about two hours in the home and on the premises. We did not see any of the flaws you described. In fact, there is no tile in the home. It is all marble and onyx. Brides, you need to view this $7.4 Million home during an Open House!
It sounds like you were not happy with Brindley Beach. We met the owners of the home and they were extremely nice and very helpful. They even gave us their personal cell phone numbers. Apparently, they may not have been happy with Brindley, because they switched back to Carolina Designs as their rental management company.
Our wedding is booked for 2012. We are so excited to have the opportunity to stay at this truly luxurious, one-of-a-kind estate.
We thought the weekly rate was low, considering the waterfront location, outstanding amenities and finishes, and it accommodates up to 125 guests. The weekly rate includes ceremony chairs set up, tables, chairs, place settings, linens for the reception, and more. Unlike other event homes, there is no additional event fee. Everything is included in the weekly rate. We viewed many other venues and there was no comparison to this $7,400,000 estate and its low weekly rate.
Does anyone have any insde info on what they're charging for an event fee there?