I *think* we have a venue

[zoebartlett]

We''ve looked at so many places and after a long discussion last night with my FI, he told me his top choice. Unfortunately, it wasn''t my parents'' backyard. I''m not really surprised at that -- it means something to me, not to him. As much as I love the idea of getting married in my childhood home, etc., I had to admit that having a venue with the option of going indoors because of inclement weather or unusually high temps. would be nice. In New England, you can never count on the weather being the same from one day to the next. I do love this place too -- it''s always remained on our short list, and I''ve heard nothing but great things about them.

We''re just putting together the pricing right now, but it looks like our venue (for the ceremony and reception) will be this one.

http://www.clayhillfarm.com

Just out of curiosity, how much can you bargain with a vendor? I had posted about this before, but CHF charges the same for kids'' food as it does for the regular food we''ll be having. They don''t have a kids'' menu but they typically make chicken fingers for kids at receptions. The price is outrageous and it may mean that we can''t have kids there (other than family, who would have to bring their kids because they''d be traveling some distance). Anyway, how do I negotiate price for the kids'' food?

 

[Love in Bloom]

Congrats ZoeB on your venue! I just love Ogunquit. Have you ever been to Wild Willy''s? Chili burgers and Raspberry Lime Rickeys...yummo

About negotiating...do you plan on having lots of kids attend? I think you should expect a discount of at least 1/3 to 1/2 for kids and other peeps like photographers, musicians, coordinators and that kind of stuff. Fortunately that is what my caterer had built in for kids and staff. It wouldn''t hurt to ask...

 

[neatfreak]

I think the negotiating depends on the venue. For example, if it''s a place that has tons of business and is not afraid of booking your date if you don''t take it, they''re less likely to negotiate a lot with you. If it''s a place where they don''t have 2 weddings every weekend and don''t book up early, then you have a bit more leeway. I would ask for more than you''re willing to settle for and go from there. Just make a point that kids chicken fingers don''t cost nearly as much as the adult food and therefore it''s not fair to charge the same for them.

 

[robbie3982]

Congrats on finding a location! It''s really beautiful!

I really suck at negotiating, but my dad is really good at it so he handled the negotiations with our venue. He got them to throw in free valet parking and chair covers at cost, so I think anything is possible if you''ve got someone who''s good at negotiating.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Robbie, your post made me laugh! I suck at negotiating too, but my mom is a PRO! I''d definitely let her do the haggling if needed. As far as the numer of kids, Love, it could be anywhere from 9 (family only -- FI''s niece and nephew and my cousins'' children) to ~25 or so, which would include all of our friends'' children. I know we probably need to narrow down the numbers closer to 10 or so. It'' just hard to do, say to your close friends that even though you''ve known their children all their lives, "I''m sorry, they can''t come." I know they''d be understanding though. I''ll see what I can do. Thanks for the advice!

 

[surfgirl]

Looks nice zoe!

Hey, whatever happened to those dresses you ordered from Nordies???

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi surfgirl!

Well, I''ve been getting dresses in and so far, none have been exactly right. Well, actually, there are two I like:

 

[zoebartlett]

and this one (in white of course):

 

[Love in Bloom]

Yup, zoe, I understand the dilemma. Seems like all kids or no kids is the way to go, but I just couldn''t do that either. You have a lot more (up to 25?

) to deal with though! Family kids only seems like an excellent solution. 9 is a manageable number and if you can negotiate a kids price, that would be fair both price wise and etiquette wise. I like your thinking...

 

[zoebartlett]

The only things I don''t like are:

1. the jacket that goes with the eyelet dress

2. that the Eileen Fischer dress is linen (very wrinkley, which may not look so good in pictures).

I also need to loose some weight in order for either one to look fabulous but they''d be doable. I''m still thinking of having something made but I''m not sure. Thanks for asking!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Love! Yeah, we definitely can''t invite everyone''s kids. I do really like the family only option.

It was either my FI or my mom who made a comment one day recently that reminded me what the goal is. We are planning a WEDDING, not a weekend vacation getaway for our guests. At times I felt like I was playing travel agent and I was thinking of how to accomodate everyone. We were also planning what else our family and friends could do in the area. It was almost like, "oh and by the way, there''s also a wedding." It should really be the other way around and I think I lost sight of that.

I know I''ve said this before but I really do appreciate your thoughts and suggestions and comments. It''s so nice to have others to chat to about all this -- people who aren''t invested in it one way or another. Thanks!!

 

[Love in Bloom]

Date: 6/10/2007 2:09:32 PM
Author: zoebartlett
Thanks Love! Yeah, we definitely can''t invite everyone''s kids. I do really like the family only option.

It was either my FI or my mom who made a comment one day recently that reminded me what the goal is. We are planning a WEDDING, not a weekend vacation getaway for our guests. At times I felt like I was playing travel agent and I was thinking of how to accomodate everyone. We were also planning what else our family and friends could do in the area. It was almost like, ''oh and by the way, there''s also a wedding.'' It should really be the other way around and I think I lost sight of that.

I know I''ve said this before but I really do appreciate your thoughts and suggestions and comments. It''s so nice to have others to chat to about all this -- people who aren''t invested in it one way or another. Thanks!!

Zoe,

You are perhaps the sweetest bride to be! I go from extremes...complete apathy to bridezilla control freak in 0.15 seconds

. It sounds like you are so grounded with your decisions (with a lil help from mom and fi too!). I wish I could be more like you in planning (*cheesey* I know but it is true

)

 

[zoebartlett]

Awww, Love, you made me blush!

Thanks for the compliment!!

 

[Selkie]

That looks beautiful, Zoe! Sigh...I love Maine. Do you have a date picked out yet?

 

[Mandarine]

wow!!!!!!!!! That place is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


M~

 

[zoebartlett]

Oh Mandarine! You''re enthusiasm about everything always makes me smile! Thanks! We love it too. I just wish they included more pictures of the actual place. While I love looking at everyone''s wedding photos and it does give us a good sense of what our day will be like, I''d like to see more pics of the venue itself.

Clay Hill Farm has a room or little apartment above the restaurant that brides can have for the day, I''m assuming to put their stuff, use as a base camp, etc. Also, couples have rented trolleys to take them (and guests) to local hotels or wherever. Kind of cool.

I wish it was closer to or even on the water (it''s in the southern Maine coast) but it''s a short drive away. I''m very excited!

 

[MustangFan]

wow that place really has some charm to it!!
Reminds me of the place we will probably pick, very cool!
Good luck with it, it''s exciting!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mandarine]

Date: 6/10/2007 6:45:25 PM
Author: zoebartlett
Oh Mandarine! You''re enthusiasm about everything always makes me smile! Thanks! We love it too. I just wish they included more pictures of the actual place. While I love looking at everyone''s wedding photos and it does give us a good sense of what our day will be like, I''d like to see more pics of the venue itself.

Clay Hill Farm has a room or little apartment above the restaurant that brides can have for the day, I''m assuming to put their stuff, use as a base camp, etc. Also, couples have rented trolleys to take them (and guests) to local hotels or wherever. Kind of cool.

I wish it was closer to or even on the water (it''s in the southern Maine coast) but it''s a short drive away. I''m very excited!

hehe Zoe, well, what''s not to be enthusiastic about? we''re all getting married and are choosing gorgeous venues!!!

I love the trolley idea and it matches that place perfectly!!!!! I wanted to do that but it''s hard finding a Trolley is S. Florida! I may have to stick to the good-old-boring-buses for the OOT guests...hehe

M~

 

[hikerchick]

Congrats Zoe, I am SO happy for you!!!!!
Definitely talk them down for the kids cost. It seems outrageous and I would guess they will work with you on such a small request (pun intended).
Good Luck.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks MustangFan, Mandarine, and hikerchick! We''re excited! We''re just waiting to hear back from Clay Hill Farm with a confirmation. As far as I''m concerned though, it''s a done deal. I''ve been in touch with photographers and that''s the next big thing on our list of to-dos. I have the summer off (the last day of school is next Friday!) so I''m planning on getting a majority of things taken care of. My mom''s a teacher too, so she can do a lot with me. My FI will take time off as needed.

Hikerchick, how''s your venue search going? Do you have anything else in the works? I''ve been wondering.