Is this average?

LionyLoo · June 2011

Hi everyone!

So, I've been all over the place looking for a venue and trying to figure out what kind of wedding we want etc. Somehow, I keep going back to this one location in St. Petersburg. I just can't get them out of my mind. They're not expensive for venue rental at all, but the alcohol seems a bit pricey. It's $16/person per hour for the first two hours, then $14/person per hour each additional hour. So for a 3 hour open bar, it would be $46. Does that seem reasonable? With a total budget of $10K, I was hoping to keep the cost per person at around $65 - $70 (approx 80 guests). We'd probably go with heavy apps & desserts.

Thoughts?

mitchsbride · June 2011

I don't think that sounds reasonable at all. How many people do you expect to attend? Considering there are a lot other things you have to spend $ on, I'd re-consider spending $46 pp on the bar!

LionyLoo · June 2011

I figured it was pretty pricey - I am trying to justify it by factoring in that they do provide some furniture and the rental fee is only $500. But still, it's pretty expensive. =O( They do have a package that's beer and wine only, at $28/person for 3 hours. That's much better, but I'm not sure I want to host an event with no hard liqour.

KrystalsKitsch · June 2011

If you really like the venue, skip the liquor! We did and no one seemed to mind!

SNCarter82 · June 2011

Do you have to purchase it through them or are you able to purchase your own and have a mobile bartending company come in and bartend for you? I personally think that some of these places charge an arm and a leg for services like that because there are few companies out there that will go in and bartend. I found Mobile Mixers through a vendor recommendation on here a while back. Its a mobile bartending company out of the Tampa area. Im saving a pretty penny also because I wasnt about to spend $18 per person for an open bar. The website is www.MobileMixers.net if you want to get additional information from them.

LionyLoo · June 2011

Unfortunately it has to be through them - I think that's how they're making their money since the venue rental is only $500. I am going to talk to my fiance and see what he says about not doing liquor - seems to be the best option to still have it at the venue and at least be able to provide some decent food etc. Thank you!! If we decide to go with a different venue, I will DEF look into Mobile Mixers. =O)

ellentravis · June 2011

I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other, but the Tradewinds is like $62/pp for a HUGE sit down dinner of chicken. Like $74/pp for Prime Rib. Then there's tax and service charge, which brings that up to closer to $100/pp -- BUT ALCOHOL IS INCLUDED.

I guess what I'm saying is that you can do better. But I can see form the responses above that you already know that!:)

Good luck!

bananafanafofashley · June 2011

yeah that seems expensive.

SNCarter82 · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-west-coast_this-average?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:62Discussion:0700fc03-e2ac-45af-add5-93feb0935f11Post:b0aa9791-4c45-4266-86bb-256dcfff623e">Re: Is this average?</a>:
[QUOTE]Unfortunately it has to be through them - I think that's how they're making their money since the venue rental is only $500. I am going to talk to my fiance and see what he says about not doing liquor - seems to be the best option to still have it at the venue and at least be able to provide some decent food etc. Thank you!! If we decide to go with a different venue, I will DEF look into Mobile Mixers. =O)
Posted by LionyLoo[/QUOTE]

That is def. how they are making a lot of their money. The venue rental is not bad at all for the price, but I guess it comes down to what you think you will get most out of the money you guys will be spending. Let us know what you decide. If I happen to stumble on a location with a price range near that, and the same look/feel as that venue, ill let you know.

julie21homes · June 2011

Its about right for the area...we are at the Grand Plaza and doing heavy apps, cake and open bar for 3-4 hours is @ $88 pp. We are going to see if we can get it down some by doing a signature cocktail or 2 instead, but I dunno...good luck!

teachermegs · June 2011

Why aren't they charging per drink ordered?

LionyLoo · June 2011

No idea why they aren't charging per drink - I would think that would be cheaper since I doubt most people will drink $16 worth each hour. Tradewinds seems very reasonable if you consider that you'll be getting dinner and drinks for just a bit more than I'll be spending on drinks and apps. Aaarrgghh it's so hard to make a decision. Been flip flopping on everything! I've been like, oh, maybe we should do a brunch, no wait, we should do a casual reception at a beach house, oh, but maybe we should do a cocktail reception at a rooftop bar. Is everybody this indecisive or is it just me?? I feel like every time I think I know what I want, something regarding price or logistics comes up and then I'm unsure. I guess it's just that I don't really have a vision of what I want. =O(

ltetidrick · June 2011

You should look into The Club: Treasure Island. They are newly remodeled and have GREAT deals. On the water but not the price of the beach. I am doing 5 hours of open bar (beer and wine, cash liquor) and a nice buffet for only $58 a head. Seriously.

Yvonne is in charge of their banquests/weddings.

ltetidrick · June 2011

**banquets

Sorry..can't spell!! lol

E&M2012 · June 2011

are you talking about PUSH ultra lounge??

mitchsbride · June 2011

Yeah, could you tell us the name of the venue? I talked to my maid of honor who got married at the Don Cesar and she only paid $26 pp for liquor.

This sounds like the biggest ripoff ever to me. Look around, you can definitely do better!!!!!

E&M2012 · June 2011

let me know if it's PUSH, i can PM you and tell you what we're planning on doing...thats our top venue choice

LionyLoo · June 2011

Hi E&M. Yes, it is PUSH! =O) Def my top venue choice too! I would love to know what you're doing. Thanks!!!

Thanks everyone else for all the other input/ideas for venues.

E&M2012 · June 2011

sent!

SNCarter82 · June 2011

You are not the only one that has flip flopped with decisions. I did the same thing for about a year before we started making decisions we were happy with. i think its normal. we spend so much time and money invested in our night that we always are thinking about if we made the right choice. It honestly wasnt until we broke down and decided to get a wedding planner. I know some people dont see the point of one or spending the money (i was that same person), but it has been so worth it. She has budgeted everything out for us so we are able to book what we wanted from the start. Have you thought about getting help for budgeting from a planner at all?

LionyLoo · June 2011

E&M - sorry it took so long, but I've responded to your PM.

SNCarter - I have seriously been thinking about it. It just seems so expensive and I don't really want to take 10% or so out of our already small budget for it. I know that a planner would probably have contacts though and would save us money in that way ...... at least I would hope so. Glad to know I'm not the only one flip flopping!!! I can't even decide where to go for dinner, so yeah, this is hard. LOL

SNCarter82 · June 2011

Try not to stress too much... it will all come to you. I know I contacted a couple planners also that charged about 8-10% of my budget, another was $1450 for a partial planner which was all I was looking for. (I dont want to be completely out of the loop for my own wedding and still wanted to be involved). The planner I found for partial and they do the full day coordination was $750 (Usually it was $850 but they gave me $100 off). If you think you will end up needing one let me know and Ill pass you the vender info (I think I may have sent it before).

Regarding Tradewinds... I love that place. I havent been there for a wedding but I went there for a corporate event and it looked fantastic. They should be better with the open bar prices also.

Good Luck with everything!

LionyLoo · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-west-coast_this-average?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:62Discussion:0700fc03-e2ac-45af-add5-93feb0935f11Post:f8db4457-df3b-40b6-84ef-c543f91533fc">Re: Is this average?</a>:
[QUOTE]Try not to stress too much... it will all come to you. I know I contacted a couple planners also that charged about 8-10% of my budget, another was $1450 for a partial planner which was all I was looking for. (I dont want to be completely out of the loop for my own wedding and still wanted to be involved). The planner I found for partial and they do the full day coordination was $750 (Usually it was $850 but they gave me $100 off). If you think you will end up needing one let me know and Ill pass you the vender info (I think I may have sent it before). Regarding Tradewinds... I love that place. I havent been there for a wedding but I went there for a corporate event and it looked fantastic. They should be better with the open bar prices also. Good Luck with everything!
Posted by SNCarter82[/QUOTE]

Thanks so much! The price really doesn't seem that much once you realize everything they'll do for you. =O) I think the budget planning would be the part I like most!!!

Is this average?

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