Calling Appletini

[RoseAngel04]

Hey Appletini,

I believe I remember that you had your wedding at the Richmond house in Houston?! I just recently got engaged, and am looking around at different places prices etc. Would you mind sharing how much the rental fee for the house was. Also, did the Richmond House cater your reception? Around how many guests did you have and what did the catering cost? I hope you don''t mind me asking, just trying to get information, and thought you should know!

thx!

 

[appletini]

Rose,

I wish we still had PMs so that I could send you the packet, but since we don''t I do have it in word and will copy and paste everything on here. I think the total my grandma paid to the Richmond House was $13-15K. The DJ was $400, the minister $200 (he was awesome), the pianist $150 (ceremony), and the bar is outsourced through another company, but that was ~$17/person for open bar (DHs parents paid for that). We had ours on Friday night so that saved us $1K right there. Also they provide so many services in house it was nice to have one vendor, and Vicki is so wonderful, I would email her pictures of flowers and cakes that I liked and she made it happen. And the food was so yummy, especially the quadruple chocolate cake! We had dinner menu #2, and then some appetizers during cocktail hour. Also they had some silk arrangements for the buffet table that looked real, so we just used those. My bridal bouquet was ~$120, and the BMs bouquets were $45, the other table arrangements were $20-$45 because the tables are different sizes so I had smaller arrangements on the small ones, and silver candelabras on the large ones.

 

[appletini]

The Richmond House
The Richmond House is a special events and wedding planning group. We will assist you in planning every step of your event and one of our experienced event planners will be on site to co-ordinate your event so you can relax and enjoy your event with family and friends.
The Richmond House Mansion
314 south ninth street
Richmond, Texas 77469
281 342 9417 fax 281 342 5952
E-mail: [email protected]

A turn of the century mansion decorated in beautiful American and European antiques and art work. The beautiful gardens, with their magnificent oak trees, are spectacular by day and even more so at night with thousands of tiny twinkling lights. The Richmond house mansion is one of the favorite wedding photography backdrops amongst Houston’s premiere photographers. We ARE CAPABLE OF HOSTING EVENTS TO 250 GUESTS.

The Richmond house mansion is a NON-smoking Property.

Rental of the property includes the exclusive use by your guests of all public areas of the Richmond house mansion and it’s gardens .
We RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT SPACE TO SMALLER GROUPS AT THE Richmond house mansion.
There is no additional rental fee for the double-skirted tables, dining chairs, plates, glassware, flatware, or napkins. All wedding and grooms cakes are presented on our antique English silver plateaus at no additional charge.
Upgrades of linens, china, crystal and flatware can be made at an additional charge. Charges vary according to selection made from rental company.

 

[appletini]

Rental fees, dates & times

Prices quoted in the following packages are good for all dates except nationally celebrated HOLIDAYS. PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT SPECIFIC HOLIDAY PRICING.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON BOOKINGS ARE 1:00 - 4:00 P.M.($1,750.00)
Saturday EVENING BOOKINGS ARE 7:00 - 10:00 P.M.($2,000.00)
Sundays - 3 hours ($2,000.00)
Wed. - Fri. evenings bookings are 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. ($1,000.00)
Should you wish to book an event that falls in between the day and evening times, the minimum of the daytime ($5,000) and evening ($7,500) must be met, equalling $12,500.)

ADDITIONAL TIME MAY BE ADDED: 1ST ADDITIONAL HOUR $750.00, SECOND ADDITIONAL HOUR $1,500.00

Minimums

Minimums are met by adding rENTAL FEE, menu of your choice, additional menu items such as appetizers , etc. and floral services. service charge is not part of minimum.

The Richmond House Mansion Minimums

Saturday evening $ 7,500
Saturday afternoon $ 5,000
Sunday Afternoon $ 4,500
Friday evening $ 2,500

Deposits & payment

A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the minimum is required to hold the date and time chosen; or $2,000.00 whichever is greater. For example, Saturday evening minimums at The Richmond House Mansion are $7,500.00; the deposit for Saturday evening would be $3,750.00. Payment on preliminary invoice is due 60 days prior to the date. Two weeks prior to the date you will provide the final count and we will invoice any additional guests at a price per person or if the count is less than you were invoiced on the preliminary invoice we will issue a check for the difference. After final count is given there will be no refunds. Please note IC-IT BEVERAGE CATERING SERVICE is a separate and solely owned company and requires a separate deposit.

Tax & service charge
Please add a 20% service charge and 8 1/4% sales tax to all packages included herein.

Event planner
Our event planner will assist you in planning every aspect of your special event and be one site for your event $250.00

Catering service
The Richmond Gourmet is our exclusive on site catering company. We use only the freshest ingredients available and create fabulous presentations. We have included some of our most popular menu options. Please note that the wedding cake and a dessert buffet are included in all menu prices at no additional cost.

Non-alcoholic beverages
The Richmond Gourmet offers a non-alcoholic beverage service featuring Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Tonic and Lime and Cranberry Juice and Soda. Non-alcoholic beverage service is priced at $5.50 per person. Coffee is included in the menu pricing. Our coffee is an exclusive house blend. We serve a regular blend during daytime hours and a decaf blend at night.
Should you wish to serve non-alcoholic mixed drinks or dessert coffees, please ask our catering department for specific quote.

Alcoholic beverages
The Richmond House has an exclusive contract with IC-IT Beverage Catering Service to serve all functions requesting alcoholic beverages. Please contact Issac Tristan for all specific quotes on alcoholic beverage services. We have included with the information you are receiving today pricing information from IC-IT Beverage Catering Service. No tequila or frozen drinks can be served.
Please note: Security is required at all events serving alcohol. One officer is required for each 75 guests.

 

[appletini]

Floral services
Spreading their special magic, flowers seem to grace all of life’s occasions and none more so than at a wedding. The Richmond House Floral Design Team is one of the most talented floral design team in the Houston area. They will assist you personally in transforming your dreams into reality. Asking what a brides’ bouquet cost is much like asking what a wedding dress costs. Flower prices vary greatly, depending not only on flower chosen but time of year and availability. (Climatic weather conditions affect prices greatly.) Below are ranges and averages. Flowers are available in absolutely all price ranges.
Brides Bouquet--Clutch style - $55 to $265 (average $195)
Cascade style--$175 +++
Bridesmaids Bouquets--Clutch style--$45 - $115 (average $95) Mothers Clutches--$37.50++
Corsages-- $27.50++
Boutonnierres--$10++
Table Decorations - $20 - $165 (average $45)
Use of The Richmond House Floral Design Team is required for all ceremonies performed at The Richmond House Mansion and all reception flowers at The Richmond House Mansion and therefore we do not require floral damage deposits. The 20% service charge is added to floral services to cover designer’s time for delivery, set-up and removal. Deliveries to certain areas of Houston may require additional fee, please inquire.
Wedding Ceremony Options
There are a number of historic churches within a five-block radius of The Richmond House Mansion, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic and Episcopal. All have different rental requirements for the use of their sanctuaries varying from $575 to $2,500. Please let us know if you need additional information on any of the churches located in the historic district.
The Richmond House mansion Wedding
Ceremony Rental Fees
Should you wish to add your wedding ceremony to a reception package at The Richmond House Mansion a fee is charged to cover the additional time needed for the rehearsal and pre-ceremony needs (photos, etc). One hour is allotted for rehearsal and one and one-half hour is added for pre-ceremony needs. The fee for this additional 2 1/2 hours is $100.00. This fee does not include chair rental and set-up. This is charged according to number of guests and garden or indoor set-up. Rental and set-up of ceremony chairs is $3.50 per person. Indoor set-up is an additional $150.00. Indoor set-up is limited to 150 persons (or less if wedding party is over 8 persons). An in-house wedding coordinator and assistant are required at all ceremonies performed at The Richmond House Mansion. They will direct your rehearsal and wedding ceremony. Your wedding coordinator will discuss all aspects of your ceremony with you, take care of any special seating arrangements and coordinate wedding party and musicians. Coordinators fee is $300.00.

 

[appletini]

Dessert reception
from The Richmond Gourmet

• 
  Southern pecan crusted hamball served with french baguettes
• Gen. Tsao’s spicy meatballs
• A SELECTION OF IMPORTED AND DOMESTIC CHEESEs
• FRESH SEASONAL FRUIT Presentation
• WEDDING cake (choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
• NEW York STYLE CHEESECAKE
• QUADRUPLE CHOCOLATE CAKe
• Tiramisu
• ASSORTED MINIATURES
• TWICE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES
• 
  COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE TOAST
  FRESHLY BREWED GOURMET COFFE

Price $16.95 per person

Light luncheon or dinner

from The Richmond Gourmet

• Hearts of romaine and spring green salad
• Deluxe vegetable presentation of artichoke Hearts, blanched asparagus and broccoli, and marinated beefsteak tomatoes
• Chicken and black bean pasta with red peppers and cilantro
• Seafood pasta in a light alfredo sauce
• Freshly baked breads and yeast rolls
• Wedding cake ( choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
  New york style cheesecake
  Quadruple chocolate cake
  Tiramisu
  Twice dipped strawberries
  Assorted miniatures gourmet coffee

Price $26.95 per person

COCKTAIL RECEPTION

from The Richmond Gourmet

• PRESENTATION OF DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED CHEESES
• FRESH SEASONAL FRUIT
• BREAST OF CHICKEN SALAD IN MINI CHOUX PASTRY
• SWEDISH OR GENERAL TSAO’S SPICY MEATBALLS
• oven roasted tenderloins of pork with
  assorted breads and condiments
• Pecan crusted HAM BALL SERVED WITH FRENCH BAGUETTES
• open faced basil and marscapone sandwiches
• polenta hearts topped with parmesan and sun dried tomatoes
• Wedding cake(Choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
  New York style cheesecake
  Quadruple chocolate cake
  Light and lovely tiramisu
  Twice dipped strawberries
  Assorted miniatures
• 
  Gourmet coffee
  
  Price $32.95 per person

Dinner menu no. 1

from The Richmond Gourmet

• Hearts of romaine and spring green salad
• Deluxe vegetable presentation of artichoke Hearts, blanched asparagus, broccoli and marinated beefsteak tomatoes
• Chicken and black bean pasta with red peppers and cilantro or chicken, parmesan and portabella mushroom pasta
• Seafood pasta in a light alfredo sauce
• Roasted tenderloins of pork
• Tuscan oven roasted potatoes
• Freshly baked breads and yeast rolls
• Wedding cake (choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
  New York style cheesecake
  Quadruple chocolate cake
  Tiramisu
  Twice dipped strawberries
  Assorted miniatures
• 
  Gourmet coffee

Price $32.95 per person

Dinner Menu # 2

from The Richmond Gourmet

• 
  Richmond House Salad of Hearts of Romaine and Baby Spring Greens, Sun dried cranberries and slivered almonds, dressed for the occasion in the Richmond House’s Balsamic Vinaigrette
• A Deluxe Vegetable Presentation of Hearts of Artichokes, Blanched Asparagus Spears, and Beefsteak Tomatoes
• Roasted Tenderloins of Beef and Pork
• Tuscan Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
• Southern Crab Cakes with Dilled Citrus Mayonnaise
• A Selection of freshly baked Yeast rolls and Assorted Breads
  Wedding cake (choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
  Twice Dipped Strawberries
  Assorted Miniatures
  Dessert Buffet (please select three of the following.)
  Quadruple Chocolate Cake
  Light and Lovely Tiramisu
  New York Style Cheesecake garnished in seasonal fruit
  Warm Apple Pie served with homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream
  Southern Bread Pudding served warm with Rum Sauce
• Gourmet coffee

Price $42.95 per person

Dinner Menu # 3

from The Richmond Gourmet

• 
  Richmond House Salad of Hearts of Romaine and Baby Spring Greens, Sun-dried cranberries, and slivered almonds, dressed for the occasion in the Richmond House’s Balsamic Vinaigrette
• A Deluxe Vegetable Presentation of Hearts of Artichokes, Blanched Asparagus Spears, broccoli and marinated beefsteak tomatoes
• Roasted Tenderloins of Beef and Pork
• Tuscan Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
• Wild Rice Pilaf with diced Apricots and Pecans
• Beefsteak Tomatoes topped with Crab Salad and Jumbo Shrimp Served with Herbert -Ritz Remoulade OR Poached Salmon with Raspberry Chipolte Sauce
• Freshly Baked breads and assorted yeast rolls
• Wedding Cake (choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
  Twice Dipped Strawberries
  Assorted Miniatures
  Dessert Buffet (Please select three of the following)
  Quadruple Chocolate Cake
  Light and Lively Tiramisu
  New York Style Cheesecake garnished in seasonal fruit
  Warm Apple Pie served with homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream
  Southern Bread Pudding served warm with Rum Sauce
• Gourmet coffee
  
  Price 52.95 per person

New Orleans styled brunch

from The Richmond Gourmet

• 
  Fresh seasonal fruit presentation
• Richmond House Salad of Hearts of Romaine and Baby Spring Greens, Sun-dried cranberries, and slivered almonds, dressed for the occasion in the Richmond House’s Balsamic Vinaigrette
• A Deluxe Vegetable Presentation of Hearts of Artichokes, Blanched Asparagus Spears, broccoli and marinated beefsteak tomatoes
• Selection of freshly baked “mile-High" quiche
• Oven Roasted Potatoes with apple smoked bacon and hillje sausage
• Fresh Salmon with Raspberry Chipolte Sauce
  
  Chicken and black bean pasta
• A Selection of freshly baked breads, muffins and yeast rolls served with flavored and sweet cream butter
• Wedding cake (choose from 5 designs, upgrades available)
  Twice Dipped Strawberries
  Assorted Miniatures
  Dessert Buffet (Please select three of the following)
  Quadruple Chocolate Cake
  Light and Lively Tiramisu
  New York Style Cheesecake garnished in seasonal fruit
• Southern Bread Pudding served warm with Rum Sauce
• Complimentary mimosas and bloody marys
  Non-alcoholic beverage service
  Gourmet coffee and orange juice

Price $ 48.95 per person

 

[appletini]

The Richmond House is an event and wedding planning group. Should you need assistance booking any of the following services, our event planners will be happy to assist you. For your convenience, we have included current market prices in the Houston metropolitan area for the following services.

Limousine $225.00++

Videographer $650.00 - $2,500.00

Photographer Prices vary vastly. The better photographers in the Houston area are charging $2,400.00 and upwards for their packages. Time and date can be a factor in pricing; for example, one of our brides contracted with a well known photographer for an hourly rate of $250.00 + film, her wedding was on a Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

Minister We engage ministers from local churches to do ceremonies at The Richmond House.
fee $200.00
Pianist Ceremony only $150.00 ++
3 hours--$300.00++
Harpist Ceremony only $250.00 ++

String Quartets 3 Hours $725.00 ++

Jazz Trios 3 Hours $800.00 ++

DJ 3 hours $400.00-----NOTE: IF YOU ARE UTILIZING A DJ WE USE DJ’S UNLIMITED EXCLUSIVELY -- SORRY, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Bands $1,500.00 ++ We were recently asked to book a band for a client
her budget was $500.00. We told the client, we could book a $500.00 band but we could not assure her that they would either show up or be able to stand up when they did finally arrive!!!!!
A FINAL NOTE---YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY For, DON’T SHORT CHANGE YOURSELF--IT’S Your WEDDING, IT’S THE MOST SPECIAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE, you’re special, YOU DESERVE THE VERY BESt YOU CAN AFFORD.

 

[appletini]

wedding worksheet

Ceremony rental fee $ ___________
ceremony chair rental ___________
Indoor set-up ___________
wedding co-ordinator ___________
Flowers
Bride’s bouquet ___________
Bridesmaids bouquet
_____# X $________ ___________
mother’s flowers ___X ____ ___________
Flower’s girls ___ x _____ ___________
Boutonnieres ____ x _______ ___________
Table decorations ____ x______ ___________
Other flowers:_________________ ___________
_____________________________________________ ___________
_____________________________________________ ___________
_____________________________________________ ___________
rECEPTION rENTAL FEE ___________
aDDITIONAL HOURS ___________
Event planner ___________
Menu ________________________ ________ persons @ ________ per son ___________
wedding cake no charge
Groom’s cake (if from dessert buffet) No Charge
Sub-total __________
x 20% Service Charge __________
x 8.25% sales tax (exclude ceremony &
Reception Rental) ________
Total __________
Additional Items:
Ceremony Music __________
Reception Music __________
Minister __________
Photographer __________
Videographer __________
Invitations __________
Alcohol service ___________
This worksheet will give you a very good estimate
of your total wedding expenditures. There are many wedding planners out there that will tell you ceremonies should cost $X and receptions should cost $y, that photography should cost $z.
It’s your wedding, you decide what’s most important to the two of you and spend your budget accordingly. the most important thing to remember after you have set a date. set a budget.

 

[RoseAngel04]

Thank you SOOOOOOO SOOOOOO very much Appletini!!

We''re on a limited budget

and I''m just scoping places out. Your pictures were wonderful so....thanks so much for all the information! It''s a lot to take in! I''ve not even been engaged a week....geez! I''m just trying to get a head start.

 

[RoseAngel04]

Apple: Out of curiosity what entertainment did you use for your reception? And ceremony music?!

Thx so much again!

 

[appletini]

Rose, I just looked at your engagement thread, your ring is beautiful! We''re y''all at Brennan''s? I know they decorate the dessert plates if you tell them its a special occasion. That is my favorite restaurant and we had our rehearsal dinner there.

I think the Richmond House has enough different options that you can make it as expensive or budget friendly as you want. I think it would also be really neat to have the New Orleans style brunch reception and wedding there. The place is already decorated so you only need table arrangements and they can be as simple as you want, plus since the cake is included with the cost of the food its really reasonable. I really only had to worry about invitations, dress, and photographer, they did everything else. Definitely give Vicki a call or email and she will gladly answer your questions and she will give you and your FI a tour if you want one. They have several weddings showcased on their website www.therichmondhouse.com to give you some ideas. We got so many compliments on our wedding, it was so different since it was in an old mansion, and it felt like a destination wedding without actually being one. I cannot recommend them enough and would do it all over again if I could. Oh and we got to take home all the left over dessert, that was a nice surprise since my MOH was on the gift and cake tier duty to take it all over to my grandma''s house afterwards, we found all the goodies when we came over the next day. We waited a few days before going on the honeymoon, so we had chocolate covered strawberries and cake everyday.

For my ceremony we hired a pianist for the ceremony that the RH recommended, his name is Larry Warhol, he was $150 and great. For the reception we used DJs Unlimited (www.djsunlimited.net) they were $400 and they are the only DJ service that the RH will use. They have all of their songs on their website...I made a list for them of must play songs, and then all of the "novelty" songs were on my Do Not play list. I told them I wanted a combo of fast and slow songs and to keep it classy. Also the DJ was great he just played music and didn''t talk a lot, except when to announce the first and second dance and then my DHs fraternity song, etc. My photographer (www.estrellaphoto.com) has recently raised her rates, but she is still less than a lot of others, her new rate is $1500 and you get all the pictures on CD/DVD and 8 hours of coverage (I have a thread on here if you search for it). She was contacted by one of the bridal magazines this week to submit pictures because they are thinking of having her in their magazine...I have my fingers crossed for her b/c she will be submitting some of my wedding photos.

If you want a small wedding another place you might want to look into is the Conservatory at the Gardens of Bammel lane (www.bammel.com) by River Oaks, the only downside is that you have to do a lot of the work yourself and the cleanup, so it might be more stress and hassle than its worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[RoseAngel04]

just a couple more questions....

Since you did do the Friday night wedding @ the Richmond house what time did you start the ceremony...and what time did everything end? The only reason I ask is bc Houston traffic etc and with it being a Friday evening wedding. Did you have any complaints from guests about it being a Friday wedding? Also, how many guests did you have?

Also, I am assuming the transformed the ceremony area to the dance floor for the reception? Is that correct? I love that area, bc it''s not HUGE and seems intimate.

I think that''s it for now!

Thx so much for all your help. I emailed the Richmond House last night and they sent me all the information you posted for me. Your info was SOO helpful. I''m so excited!!

Oh...and BTW thx about my ring, I love it, it''s my DREAM ring!

And we were at Pappa Bro''s Steak House on Westheimer when he popped the question!

 

[appletini]

My best friend got engaged at Pappas Bros Steakhouse a few weeks ago! Very exciting.

We started the ceremony at 7:30 to allow time for rush hour to die down and for people to freshen up after work, the RH allowed me to be there starting at 6 to put on my dress and take some before pics. Everything ended at 11. No one complained about it being on a Friday or rush hour or anything. And the nice thing is that for your vendors there isn't as much competition for hair and makeup appts. I had my hair done by the galleria and my make up done at Facade. My BM lucheon was at Benjy's.

The RH can do the ceremony inside on the porch or outside in the garden. Since May is hot with humidity has lots of mosquitos we did it inside. The dinner was upstairs. While the guests are upstairs the staff puts away all the ceremony chairs and the porch becomes the dance floor, and during that time they put out the cake and desserts.

What time of year are you thinking? Early March would be gorgeous when the azalea's are in bloom.

We had the rehearsal on Thursday at 6, and rented a bus to take the bridal party out there and back into Houston for the rehearsal dinner since it was rush hour. Also due to space we only had our 2 MOHs and 2 Best Men stand up with us and the other BMs and GMs sat down, which they liked and they were on the side of the porch so they had a great view. Our minister was George Kuebler, Vicki said that in her opinion he did the best ceremonies, we met with him at his house a few weeks before the wedding and he is the nicest man, and he made our ceremony so personal and he angled himself so that the guests could actually see the front of us instead of the back during the ceremony. He came up with the idea to have our families give us away to each other and made a part in the ceremony for that--very touching. We wanted a non-traditional traditional wedding and thats exactly what we got.

Here is my timeline...
6:00pm Bride and bridal party arrive
6:45pm Groom and groomsmen arrive
7:30-8 ceremony
8-8:30 cocktail hour
8:30-9:15 dinner
9:15-9:30 cut the cake and first dance
9:45-11 party time!

ETA: I'm going to Austin for the weekend, so I won't be able to reply until Sunday evening.