Weddingbee boards

Okay so, I just moved my horse to a new place, this big awesome ranch right across the street from what I THOUGHT was going to be our venue (a polo club field on the beach). When I mentioned that I was planning on getting married there, the ranch manager told me that they had just built a wedding venue right there at the ranch that we might want to consider. He drives me up there to see it.

Sitting at the foot of the gorgeous hill leading up into the mountains, is this magical, beautiful plantation-looking building:

That house in the front is really a relatively small (maybe 800 sq foot or so?) area for entertaining/lounging, but not an area for dining. But it is gorgeous, has a big fancy fireplace, decorated beautifully, etc. Also in the building is a very large restaurant-like kitchen. The buildings on the side are actually rooms to stay, like for a bed and breakfast.

In the back of the building is this lovely aisle of palm trees:

with some flat space for tents, etc. So aside from the beautiful set up, the venue is essentially an indoor lounge space, and a beautiful outdoor space.

The manager tells me that they have yet to have a wedding here, but that the owner is going to be charging 5k for 12 hours of use of the space, plus one of the rooms to get ready in, but not stay overnight as they don't yet have a permit for that. This fee includes nothing else, no tables, chairs, nothing. Nuh-thing.

I let him know that this was the highest price I had ever heard of for an outdoor venue including no other amenities, and wanted to throw in a "Good luck getting someone to pay that!" but, I'm fairly certain that once they start marketing it, they'll find out that not enough people are going to be willing to. At least I'm banking on it, because this same manager is taking over my polo field in the fall (a story for another post, perhaps), so if I will be booking either of these venues, (or both -- the polo beach, then the plantation for reception which he said would be an option), it'll now go through him. I don't know what he would charge for just the polo beach and polo field (excluding this beautiful plantation house area), which as I mentioned was going to be our venue.

Have you ever heard of a non-inclusive outdoor venue around this price point? The polo field, for reference, was going to cost $2,500, including a small tent, tables, (horribly cheap and ugly) chairs, sound system, small stage, and bar. What do we think about all this?

ETA: Also keep in mind that we are probably having like 80 guests, max. More likely 50ish, I'm guessing.

@SapphireSun: That is. Ugh, see venues in Maui and Kauai are supposed to be a lot more expensive given that they have fewer competition than we have on Oahu. I really think the guy who owns this place is out of his mind.

@Miss Tattoo: LOL!! This is why I heart you.

Yeah I mean, it ought to include SOMETHING else. If it was an actual package like that, then yeah, fine. I do think bathrooms are in there though. Well there's one in each of those little rooms at least.

@Mrs Sarah McK: Whoahhh... in PA? You'd think you'd see a scam like that more likely in a DW type area. That's officially the most ridiculous price I've ever heard of.

@SapphireSun: Man I would have told her to shop around too. Although unfortunately, I don't know how much better she could have gotten in Maui.

I guess I also want to point out that this is a place in which I will now be writing a monthly check for my horse's boarding bill, i.e., I am already a contributing member of the ranch community. Shouldn't that count for something??

Good grief! You guys are starting to scare me...

@Phofe2774: That is a great idea. So's the second one... lol. We considered just buying tables and chairs and then renting them out after!

Hmm, I guess I wasn't realizing that 12 hours is a long time. The polo club originally was going to give us over 2 entire DAYS (an entire day beforehand to set up, the entire day of, and no need to take down until the morning after) which I knew was a long time.

But here's the thing... what am I supposed to do there for 12 hours? If that's what I'm paying for, it's a little pointless. Aside from the fact that I can't imagine I'd need that much time (to set up and stuff), I'm not taking away time from others that would otherwise be occupying the space during it. That's the other thing, this place is not in high demand. It just sits there, in the back of the ranch, unused. They are only just beginning to rent it out. Well technically, they haven't even done that yet. No one has booked it.

It may be normal for that kind of venue but there are other venues you can get - we are having our ceremony on a balcony at the Four Seasons Las Vegas for $750 and the adjacent meeting room which is beautiful is free with a $4000 catering minimum - it is allowing us to do something elegant although it is not particularly unique without cashing in the kids college funds :)

Well this sure has been eye opening. I didn't expect this many responses that show that this actually isn't the most horrendous deal ever. I am just surprised because yes, it's Hawaii, and yes, weddings are a big business here, but check this place out:

http://www.loulupalm.com/

This is one out of only a small handfull of north shore venues, and aside from Turtle Bay, the nicest one. Direct competition. Rates for <100 people, such as for my wedding, are $3,550 on Fridays and weekends, and that's ala carte. On a Thursday (what we want), it's 3k for 12 hours. It's nearly identical to the ranch's venue as it consists of a small plantation house, that isnt meant for more than a space to get ready, and a caterer's kitchen, and a spacious outdoor area for tenting, etc. It's also ON the beach. Not to mention, it has an (already existing) excellent reputation and as such is in high demand (while the ranch venue has YET to be rented out...).

This is why I'm, well, surprised. :-/

I still think I'm going to be able to talk them down. It's really a simple matter of, "would you like our $3,000 for that Thursday, or would you like $0 for that Thursday?" If we don't book it, no one else will, is my point.

I still cannot get over how much venues can charge for such a bare-bones service! Argh.

Well its great that you found a comparable venue that has added value for more economical price. Its all a matter of supply and demand.  As long as their are willing consumers people can charge however much if the market will bear it. Personally I wouldn't do. $5k and no chairs, tables, linens, nothing????  Its not that stunning, no thanks.

I'm happy my thread has been revived so everyone can commiserate with me. :)

@bklynbridetobe: You're exactly right, it is. And I am pretty sure once they realize the demand for the place will not justify the 5k pricetag, they will be forced to lower it. No one will pay them that when they can drive over to Haleiwa and get the LP estate for 40% less.

@futuremrshc: Seriously. Thank you. Half that, you say? You must be some sort of magical wedding budget goddess!? That is impressive. Please share your secrets!

@HappilyEverAfter54: Yep I am. That's the other thing, lots of venues give a kama`aina (local/resident) rate, and there's no reason this place shouldn't as well. I'm glad you were able to score such a good deal, gives me hope! Thanks for the vote of confidence too, and the commiseration, of course. ;)

@futuremrshc: OMG! That is incredible! And that total is including everything. Nice work!! Thank you for detailing all that out -- really inspirational! I hope to take a few tips from that and apply them to our day. I think it's so easy to forget that all this money we pour into our weddings is really only just that, for one day. Your wedding looks like it will be beautiful and perfect AND it won't cost you a fortune. It CAN be done! :D

$5000 pays for way more than half my wedding.   Venue, food, Music, Photographer and Video guy, along with half of my flowers!   lol