Post # 1
Member
10 posts
Newbee
OK, so I am not getting much help in making this decision by the fi or the MOB a.k.a my Mommy! So I figure let me take it up with my fellow Bee’s on the hive!
My situation is this, we are having a restaurant reception and my theme is tim burton/halloween so it is a costume party with lots and lots of candy/sweets involved!, not that that really has much to do with the question but I like to let people know 
Here is my problem though, we have the option of renting out the restaurant for an additional exclusivity fee which would bring our beginning number of how much we spend on this wedding to double digits while right now it’s a single. My concern though is that this is a bar/restaurant located on the Hoboken waterfront at the end of October and while she is willing to let me have my DJ, Dance floor and guest book table, the fact that she would still be keeping it open to the public raises some concerns for example I was told that October is a major football month and lots of people like to watch the games in the bars on the waterfront so there is the possibility of her keeping the tvs on in the bar area which is where my dance floor will be, other possibilities are customers feeling it is too noisy and asking for our DJ to turn the music down and there are a few other concerns that I have created in my head! I also don’t want people to not see this as a wedding reception when I am paying a pretty penny for it. I would just like some opinnions as to whether it is worth it to raise the numbers by renting out the whole restaurant? Thanks guys!
Post # 3
Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
I would personally want to have the place to myself (well not to myself lol that would be one boring wedding) but I suppose it depends whether this is in your budget and how much it means to you. Luckily our venue has a smaller private bar adjacent to the function room for our use, I would have been willing to pay for its use but it came in free with the venue. I would consider it though definately
Post # 4
Member
2442 posts
Buzzing bee
It sounds like type of reception you are describing needs its own space. It seems like the sports bar crowd would be competing with the wedding reception crowd. I would think the sports bar customers would be annoyed with the wedding goings on as you described. Some of your football fan guests could stray away from your wedding and go watch the game. And…from what you are describing, how would you stop sports bar patrons/strangers from eating your food/drinks, signing your guest book, and possibly taking your gifts?
Perhaps you could find another venue that you could have to yourself for less money. If not, I think it may be worth it paying the extra money to guarantee the atmosphere you want for your reception.
Post # 5
Member
408 posts
Helper bee
I would sacrifice the extra $$ and rent the place out. You are right, you want it to feel like a reception and it seems likely that your gifts could be taken, food eaten and basically party crashed by bar patrons, as PP said….This is definitely worth the dollars!
Post # 6
Member
1002 posts
Bumble bee
I would pay to have the place to ourselves. Like pp said, I would be worried about other customers coming in and eating the food that I have paid for for my guests. I definitely think it would be worth the extra money.
Post # 7
Member
2494 posts
Buzzing bee
If you are paying for a DJ, have a dance floor and want to have things set out for favours, gifts, etc, I think it is worth having the space to yourself. By renting it exclusively, you won’t have to worry about people taking your things, random strangers complaining about your wedding or worrying about the atmosphere.
Post # 8
Member
10 posts
Newbee
Thank you all for your awesome answers! The restaurant owner actually called me earlier today because she knew how worried I became (we have become very close to each other) and reassured me of how much she loves us and that she will “move heaven on earth to make sure I have the day of my dreams” without needing to spend the extra money, so the decision is officialy made to not spend the extra green and to trust everything in her hands! I am so extremely relieved 
This really felt like one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, which is crazy because I’ve had to make some pretty tough decisions in my past. Thank you all again so much for your advice and your responses, I wish you all the greatest day of your lives!