Weddingbee boards
Does it have to be in Manhattan? We have roughly the same budget (and guest list) and I found some beautiful venues in Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as northern New Jersey.
Would you be willing to consider a restaurant or possibily a Friday or Sunday night wedding? Check out NY Magazine's online list of venues/locations to get an idea of pricing--
http://nymag.com/weddings/listings/locations/
I've been to a wedding at Bridgewaters which had great views and seemed to be reasonably priced. And I went to a rehearsal dinner at Il Buco on Bond Street and one at Public down in Nolita which was a really cool venue. You can save money by going the restaurant route since you don't have to worry too much about decor. Good luck!
There's a place at chelsea piers- not the lighthouse but something like Sunset Terrace. A "hidden gem" if you will- very reasonable and I think holds your size wedding.
No it totally doesn't have to be in Manhattan. I'm willing to consider the boroughs, Long Island and northern New Jersey. Also, considering the whole tax/tip issue, I think my budget is more reasonable at $100 a person. I'm totally happy to do a Friday night or Saturday day wedding.
Bridgewaters is on the list to consider, but I'd appreciate any and all suggestions. I'll look at that other Pier 60 place too.
Thanks so much!
I love our venue and totally recommend it - Snug Harbor in the Staten Island Botanical Gardens. Its on Richmond Terrace not far over the bridge, its a lovely garden setting with fabulous food and a truly dramatic room. Plus - you have your chioce of where to do the ceremony/reception - inside, outside, or in a Japanese Garden! We booked in 09 for an April wedding at about $105/pp.
We also looked at Bubbies in Brooklyn, and a few places in Jersey - the women's clubs are a great resource if you don't mind renting furniture.
Manhattan Penthouse and Battery Gardens might be in that range, if you were willing to consider a Friday/Saturday afternoon/ Sunday and a low-season (roughly Nov - March) month. Though I'm pretty sure you would need to do both a low season month AND a non-Saturday night, not just one or the other, for it to be in that price range. They're both nice (I'm actually getting married at BG next summer, so clearly I like it!) and somewhat open to price negotiation. Good luck!
Just an FYI - I wouldn't recommend the Foundry with your budget. Its gorgeous, but the rental fee when I checked in '09 was $7k. Which of course is before food, rentals, booze, etc. Beautiful space though...
Ditto - Fondry is well over that price. The recs so far I agree with; you can also try a lot of the Marriotts (though the one in Brooklyn is the most reasonably priced). Definitely keep an eye for the outer boroughs - your dollar will go farther.
Surprisingly, Tavern on the Green (when we were booking in 08) was about $95 per person. I looked at Bridgewaters and Pier 60 and they were more than $110
Tavern isn't taking any new contracts yet, as they are still revamping and redoing the interior, as it's under new management. You should check in and find out when, maybe as a way of getting new business, you can get a good deal.
there's also city hall restaurant, and bubby's in brooklyn. i've seen photos from a few weddings at bubby's and it looks really fun--plus the brides absolutely rave about the customer service and the food.
Great that you are being flexible in terms of times and dates but Manhattan unfortunately can be a pain on tight budgets.
Something to also keep in mind is that some venues require a minimum number of people and you might have to pay for 160 people even if you only plan on having 125. Sometimes venues will work with you if you are not a peak time or season but just be aware of this at some of the larger places.
Also keep in mind service charges/person. Most places I spoke with quoted me between 20-22% on top of the $/person number they like to quote (because it makes it seem cheaper), and don't forget you get taxed at our super high rate on that little guy, too. Quick example, a place quotes you $100/person then you add $20 for the service, now we are at $120, and then tax at 8.75%. Suddenly the $100/person is $130.50/person. They do not consider the 20% service charge a tip or gratuity.
See if places are negotiable in terms of the menu, maybe leaving off a course or doing buffet instead of sit down. Also the day time/brunch might be a more affordable option if you want to stick with limited alcohol (sooo expensive) and do fun twists on mimosas and bloody marys.
Places that were definitely above your target range based on my experience calling them: Pier 60, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 583 Park Avenue, American Museum of Natural History, Gotham Hall, and Bridgewaters based on conversations I had with all of them regarding a Sunday evening in August. Most of these places are on the larger side but hopefully it saves you a bit of time by crossing them off of your list.
Good luck!
I wish I could be more helpful.
i'm totally in the same boat, and Manhattan is extremely difficult on that budget. Sunset Terrace at Chelsea Piers is the closest I've found at that per person cost. I'm going to be checking them out in the next month, so I'll post back my thoughts. but you should try a loft space and an independent caterer. The rental fees may seem pricey, but there are loads of caterers in the city that will create a great menu, and include bar, cake, rentals and staff for less than $100/pp. You will also generally have the space all day, whereas most venues may only allow you a max of 8 hours. more party for the same amount of $$ is always a good thing IMHO. i would third, fouth, fifth... the not in Manhattan option. there are lots of places in orange & duchess counties and up in the Hudson Valley that will have at least 100 person minimums but for about or less than $100/pp.
Hello Ladies
I just booked my reception at Chateau Briand on Long Island. I'm paying less than $100 pp and am booked for April 2nd, 2011. If you plan on contacting them ask for Susan who is my event planner there. She is FANTASTIC! The place is stunning and has an art deco south beach kind of vibe. The room for the cocktail lounge is something out of an old Hollywood movie. Since my theme is old Hollywood glam I found it to be perfect. You get a ton of food and open bar with premium top shelf liquor all night. I checked out Manhattan penthouse, Top of the Rock, 3 West Club and a few others before deciding on this venue. I just felt like it was and intimate venue and a great place to have a celebration. I also felt like I got more for money here than anywhere else. My reception will take place on a Saturday night and I didn't have to pay an arm and leg for that. My wedding ceremony will be in the city and I'll hire a limo bus to transport the guest to the venue.
Hi Ladies
I am at Bridgewaters on a Friday night and talked my way into a great price- albeit more than 110 a head- but not by much.
We almost booked Bubbies- it was great and the people were wonderful to work with- but I think it was going to be around 125 a head once we added in open bar option.
For 110 ahead I would check
Grand Prospect Hall or Russo's in Williamsburg.
Good Luck.
Here are some data points from Jerse if you're open to it...
The Manor in NJ quoted me 80/person for a Sat night Fall or Summer wedding.
http://www.themanorrestaurant.com/weddings.htm
The Colonial Inn in NJ quoted me 80-100/person for a Sat night Fall or Summer wedding. My best friend's wedding was here back in 2005 and it was great!
http://www.colonialinnnj.com/auto.html
Another vote for the Manor. The grounds are stunning, the food is great (4 diamond from AAA and consistently rated some of the best in NJ), and they can definitely work with your price/guest list points. The only potential downer is that they can hold multiple weddings on the same day -- so you may not be the only bride in the house -- but everything else they offer more than makes up for it. They've been in business for almost 50 years, so you've got to figure they're doing something right....
If you call, be sure to ask for James or Ivan. They're both awesome. :)
more re: Jersey, I forgot to mention Park Ridge Marriott and Sheraton Crossroads... they were also in that range price-wise.
Thanks so much ladies! I think we may go with FEAST at Round Hill... We're trying to stay out of traditional catering halls, but I'm still looking at a few more places. Thanks again for all your input!
BTW I went to a tasting at FEAST this past weekend and the food was fab!
When I was venue hunting Battery Gardens came pretty close to $110. Slightly over (maybe $120?) but I bet you can negotiate. Beautiful space with great views!
Have you looked into Water's Edge in LIC. more traditional but killer views. I think they were pretty reasonable as well though i can't remember exact cost.
We're getting married on April 17 at Giando on the Water in Williamsburg. Their website is horrendous, but if you can get past that and actually go look at the space, it's amazing. A lot of perks & inclusions, and we fit everything in for $110 a head.
It's right on the waterfront under the Williamsburg Bridge with amazing views of the city skyline. Much cheaper than River Cafe and Water's Edge (we looked at both of those as well). Good luck!
Whoops! Must have not read the fine print about the Fondry.
I am getting married at Conservatory Gardens ($500)
And then we are having a cocktail and apps reception at Katwalk lounge (about $30 a head)
Ever thought about doing a wedding on a yacht in NYC? The price is all inclusive of food, planning, linens, flatware, glasses etc. Let me know if you like more information. Happy Planning!
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Help! I just get engaged and am totally and completely overwhelmed at the prospect of finding a reasonably priced wedding venue for 125 people -- our budget is small, say around $110 a person max. Any ideas?