Post # 17
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
For catering Affordable Catering is great, $20 per person includes dishware. Different bar options available.
I am still trying to decide on venue. Looking for beach wedding. Affordable florida weddings.com is cheap and nice package, but in email comm with them the guy is kinda wierd. Anyone have any experience with them?
Trying to plan a wedding for 75, not till April 2013… we need time to save since we are doing this ourselves.
So far looking at Clearwater Rec Center for venue.
Any suggestions appreciated!
Thanks!
Post # 18
Member
1 posts
Wannabee
@FutureMissSmoothie
Please keep us posted on where you choose to book. I’ve just started planning long distance for a wedding in Tampa (my hometown – and Sacred Heart is our family church, so good choice – let me know if you have questions). I have been looking at venues in downtown Tampa, St. Pete/Clearwater, and anything with a view of the water for around $80pp (including alcohol – something the hotels in the area are not including with their prices).
Tampa Bay Watch is one place i’ve looked into online, but it maxes out at 150 including the outside deck. You may want to check there and see if it works for you.
Good luck!
Post # 19
Member
19 posts
Newbee
Hey everyone 🙂 After some planning and looking around here and there, I think we have decided to do one of the Yacht weddings available here in the Tampa Bay/Clearwater area. Depending if we can keep the guest list around 75-100 people, seated dinner, and alcohol look like it could amount anymore from 7900-10K.
My choices came down to Starlite in Clearwater or Starship in Channelside/downtown Tampa. It’s gorgeous and the experience would be different/on the water, i’m still a little worried about being limited to a ship but it’s only 3-4 hours, i’m thinking about docking the boat the last hour in case guests want to leave. I was leaning towards Clearwater because it’s so nice out there, but there weren’t any catholic churches that were close/as pretty as Sacred Heart, but I might have to go with what’s best for my budget. Starlite is a lot cheaper, but Starship is a lot nicer..leaning towards Starship.
The church is still looking like Sacred Heart, it’s just difficult because as a military future wife, we have only lived in the area for about 5-6 months. The church’s rules state that you must live in the downtown area/be parish members for up to six months to have the “parish member” rate ($800) otherwise we would have to get a signed noted from the priest of our home parish. The cost would also be $1500, just to rent the church (doesn’t include decorating) AND we are limited to a ceremony time of noon (Is that too early??) AND we must have our home priest do the ceremony.
Post # 20
Member
17 posts
Newbee
@FutureMissSmoothie: That is definetly enough money!!! I suggest also having your wedding as a brunch or breakfast reception, we did that and hacked off half of the price. Check out the Clearwater Sailing center, Rusty Pelican, Tampa Bay Watch , and the Palm Pavillion Inn. You should be able to stay within your price rang there because you can bring in outside catering
Post # 21
Member
19 posts
Newbee
Anyone know of a good wedding planner in the area?
Post # 22
Member
359 posts
Helper bee
@FutureMissSmoothie: I have a fantastic wedding planner her name is Chrissy from Ideal Design Events. idealdesignevents.com she is absolutely wonderful, affordable, and owns all of her own inventory which is available for clients to use at no rental charge. Hope this helps 🙂
Post # 23
Member
13 posts
Newbee
@FutureMissSmoothie:
Go For Brides is an affordable consulting service in the area. – http://www.goforbridesonline.com/
Beachangels Weddings works often along the Gulf beaches and is popular among many brides and grooms, http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/beachangels-notary-wedding-indian-rocks-beach/fb43ddcf8abea7d5.html
Post # 24
Member
13 posts
Newbee
@FutureMissSmoothie:
Try the Holiday Inn Harbourside (www.hiharbourside.com) – their minimums seem to be the lowest on the beach – plus they only have a 19% gratuity rate as opposed to 21% like the rest of the beach are hotels and resorts.
Shephard’s on Clearwater Beach also offers nice wedding packages and the catering is nice, priced right and served right off their buffet – http://www.shephards.com/social-events/
If you do not mind going inland – Banquet Masters offers very affordable catering and a pleasant banquet hall. http://www.banquetmasterscatering.com/
Post # 25
Member
297 posts
Helper bee
Sandbar restaurant in anna maria is nice, though i don’t know if they are big enough for 100 people. definitely check them out though! good luck.
Post # 26
Member
90 posts
Worker bee
I just had my wedding at the Powell Crosley Estate. It was BEAUTIFUL and i was also on a budget. I didnt have to do much decorating at all. They have a gorgous building. check it out online if anything
my familly could not stop raving about the place. It has a lot of history there and is grogous. i know i keep saying that but if you want a wedding that is unique this is your spot
Also if you are looking for a photographer http://www.rjmphotos.com he was amazing and very very very good price. We got all our photos for free from him he was doing a give away so that tells you how nice he is 🙂
Also for catering we went with Affordable catering. They were the best priced food we could find, and they did a GREAT job!!! we had the Luaou chicken and everyone LOVED it!
pm me if u need any more advice
Post # 27
Member
11 posts
Newbee
If anyone is looking for information and assistance I have been in the Wedding business for nearly 19 years as an Ordained Minister, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Florist. I am on Facebook at Lasting Impressions Ceremonies. Just here to help, not take over……I am actually getting married in November, 2012 myself. So I know it can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be.
Thank you and God Bless,
Katherine
Post # 27
Member
1 posts
Wannabee
Check this out: It’s not any where near the water and may be to far but the deal is too good to pass up and it includes everything.
http://www.spartanmanor.com/Grand-Wedding-Reception-Package.htm
they quoted me a total of under $6,000.00 taxs and all with that package I sent you and wall draping & ceremony.
Post # 28
Member
35 posts
Newbee
$7K for 100 people is manageable I think, you just will have to manage your budget really well and probably cut corners on some things. I would personally check out some packages with caterers to see what you can realistically budget per person. Here is a great link for comparison (these packages are customizable) http://new.bestmiamiweddings.com/wedding-packages/. As for venues, there are some more budget, but still beautiful venues here http://new.bestmiamiweddings.com/venue-type/budget-wedding-venues/. They might be a little out of your area but worth looking at so you can get ideas!
Post # 29
Member
31 posts
Newbee
keltikate : wow! the catering company is amazing! you cant beat their prices.