Hello, I''m new

[happydreams]

Hola ladies.

I am new to this section of the forum. I really enjoyed my stay at LIW (5 months) and even after I got engaged, I couldn''t stop visiting to see what everyone else was up to. But the time has come to start seeking advice from you experienced Brides in waiting.
My fiance and I have set a budget and looking at venues. It has been a little hard to get into - I have felt guilty every time I look at our expenses. It feels just a bit wrong to spend SO much money on one day. I''m a practical person and spending thousands for a dress, flowers, catering just seems so wasteful.
So, this brings me to my question: (especially for those located in NY or the tri-state area)

How much are you all setting as a budget, and for those of you who are pretty much done planning, have you gone over the budget? I don''t know if that is an inappropriate question to ask, but I have observed that people are usually pretty open to sharing details on this board.
I will start - we are thinking 40K for 100 people, which (we think) will provide an "average" wedding in NY.

140 per head + 20% tip + 8.375 tax = almost 180 per head.

Everything is so expensive in NY!!!

HD

 

[mayachel]

Congratulations Happydreams! Yup, NY is in many ways not the ideal place for a large wedding, unless you have deep pockets or are otherwise well connected. I am a NYwker too. There are a few of us floating around. My rough budget is $25,000-30,000. I have been working my way upstate looking for better deals, but after speaking to friends getting married on LI, I''m hearing more places are willing to bargain down here.

 

[happydreams]

Date: 5/18/2009 5:38:55 PM
Author: mayachel
Congratulations Happydreams! Yup, NY is in many ways not the ideal place for a large wedding, unless you have deep pockets or are otherwise well connected. I am a NYwker too. There are a few of us floating around. My rough budget is $25,000-30,000. I have been working my way upstate looking for better deals, but after speaking to friends getting married on LI, I''m hearing more places are willing to bargain down here.

Mayachel, thank you for your response. We are looking in LI too (or anywhere a bit cheaper) - Please do share if you find a good venue.
May I ask how many people you are planning on inviting for your budget?

 

[SassyB]

Hi!
I''m new too..but a long time lurker

Great question!

I''m in Washington state. My budget is 10K for 100 people.
I am lucky to be having it at my families home. I have to rent everything but I still think it''s cheaper - and its beautiful property on the puget sound.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

HD-

Congratulations and welcome!!!!

Wedding planning is tough. I''m in the home stretch now (6 weeks) and looking back I can honestly say that it gets 100% better once the venue is picked out and you decide on your "theme" (casual/formal/etc). Of course the whole budget thing has to happen before then LOL! That''s rough. Ultimately you and your FI need to plan the wedding that you want. If you''re not the type to have a big expensive wedding because you feel the cost is wasteful, then it''s your prerogative to do something different. Say you have huge families and a small wedding is out of the question. Nothing except your personal wishes, hopes, and desires, has to mandate that it''s in a function facility at $180/head. You could have an amazing wedding for 100 ppl at a fraction of the budget by being creative. Have a BBQ or a daytime wedding. Does it HAVE to be in NY? I''m assuming you mean NYC, or just NY in general? What about doing it somewhere outside of the city or somewhere nontraditional?

 

[happydreams]

Congrats to you Sassy!
I really envy the fact that you do not have to pay for a location. Unfortunately, we cannot fit 100 people in our place, unless guests rotate coming in while others wait in the lobby.
I really need to read up on some magazines and look for ways to save $$.

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I don''t know about NY, but just wanted to say WELCOME!!! And GORGEOUS ring! Wow!

That sounds pretty reasonable to me, and i think most of us go through times of feeling guilty, but if it is within your means to save and splurge on the big day, try not to stress too much.

You could always buy a house or car, but, there''s no rule that you''re not allowed to throw a kickin'' party that everyone (esp you!) will remember for forever!!!

 

[happydreams]

Date: 5/18/2009 5:41:46 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
HD-

Congratulations and welcome!!!!

Wedding planning is tough. I''m in the home stretch now (6 weeks) and looking back I can honestly say that it gets 100% better once the venue is picked out and you decide on your ''theme'' (casual/formal/etc). Of course the whole budget thing has to happen before then LOL! That''s rough. Ultimately you and your FI need to plan the wedding that you want. If you''re not the type to have a big expensive wedding because you feel the cost is wasteful, then it''s your prerogative to do something different. Say you have huge families and a small wedding is out of the question. Nothing except your personal wishes, hopes, and desires, has to mandate that it''s in a function facility at $180/head. You could have an amazing wedding for 100 ppl at a fraction of the budget by being creative. Have a BBQ or a daytime wedding. Does it HAVE to be in NY? I''m assuming you mean NYC, or just NY in general? What about doing it somewhere outside of the city or somewhere nontraditional?

It does not have to be NYC, but it would be ever so much more fun for our guests if they did not have to travel far + had easy access to public transportation.
Honestly, we are not even looking in Manhattan. We are looking at boroughs and they are quoting 180 per head.

I am going to be lurking at historical posts on this board for the next week for some creative ideas for weddings.

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

When I first started planning I also felt practical and got scared when I would think about spending especially on one day. I started with a rough budget which I felt was a gross overestimation. Well, about 6 months to go and we are officially over our budget. By a healthy amount. However, I don''t have a single regret about it at all.

It is surprising where you costs will go. Obviously food and drink take up a healthy part of the budget but I didn''t think about the small costs that add up like placecard supplies, favors, wedding gown undergarments, postage and holy lord the cost of getting my bussle! I am guessing, however, despite being overbudget since I feel no regrets now, I certainly won''t feel any the day of the wedding - at least I hope!

 

[mayachel]

It''s true, most of the hudson valley when you add in service charges and taxes run around $180pp! I am currently deciding on a place called Glen Sanders mansion-near Saratoga Springs. The quote is for about $110pp and includes a full open bar, and full seated dinner. We are expecting 150-170 people (hoping it is closer to 150!)