Jonesi’s Journey - Location, Location, Location
It’s been a little over two months since that special day and I can see why some people choose to elope. Not that I’m seriously considering that as an option, but planning a wedding is no small feat. But it’s a blessing so I won’t complain.
I previously shared we would be getting married late October 09 and I knew in order to secure the venue we both loved, I had to reserve it ASAP….and I did! Below are pictures:
I will say this wasn’t the room we originally booked. Most facilities seem to have spending minimums, so initially we reserved a beautiful, yet modest room that was more within our budget. Well thanks to the economy, the venue had to readjust their prices and we, well I (lol), was able to switch to the “fairy tale” room of my dreams at about the same cost! Though we both preferred an evening wedding and reception, we opted for the afternoon rate which was almost half the cost. I know the pictures scream expensive but after factoring in everything it includes, it’s worth every penny! I would suggest choosing a one-stop venue that takes care of it ALL if possible.
For under $30 a person, here is what we get (I’m copying the brochure):
* Complimentary Wedding Specialist
* Executive Chef and Food
- - Two Entrees (Ham, Turkey, Chicken or Beef)
- - Signature House Salad
- - Warm Breads and Flavored Butters
- - Two Seasonal Vegetables
- - One Side Entree
* Champagne, Beer and Wine (unlimited)
* Passed Red and White Wine (as guest arrive)
* Non-Alcoholic Beverages (unlimited Tea, Coffee, Juice and Soda)
* International Cheese Display (garnished with Red Grapes)
* Champagne Toast (poured to each guest)
* Choice of Centerpieces
* Cake Cutting and Plating
* Professional Staff (including bartenders, servers, and hostesses)
* Use of Fine Linens (napkins, floor length tablecloths with white overlays and skirting)
* Complimentary White Chair covers
* Room Set-up and Clean-up
** If we choose, through “The Knot” we received a coupon for a half-price open bar which will cost us an additional $3 per person for house brands.
I went through all that for those who are currently planning weddings and wanted you to see that you can get a bang for your buck if you find the right place. Most venues find a way to charge for all the little incidentals and if you’re not careful, those hidden cost will blow your budget. At the end of the day they want your money and you want to make the most of what you have. Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices and bargain hunt. Give yourself enough time to plan and try your best to have fun with it.
Also, below is a picture of The Loft in the same facility where we are considering holding the ceremony. Everything you see in the room is standard except the alter pieces and aisle runner.
This is where the issues begin. Our church is rebuilding about forty minutes away from the reception site, and though my preference is to marry in a church, I fear the distance may be a bit too much. Honestly, if I can’t marry in my own church, then I rather choose a place that’s most convenient. Even though the reception hall is pretty big, I kind of liked the idea of the ceremony being more intimate. My mother suggested I find a church that is closer but I struggle with whether it’s worth it.
BMWK Family – Do you feel wedding ceremonies should only be held within a church? If not, why? If married, where did your ceremony take place and if you could go back to that moment, would you change anything?
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
what a waste of money in a recesiion - but like they say, market to black folks and they will always spend and never save
rawdawgs last blog post..Bich do your job
I say marry where you want to. We are considering using the church that was offered to us. My friend and also one of my bridesmaids’ mom is a Minister. She has her own church which is literally 3 minutes(not even) from the place we’re planning on getting for the reception. She already told us we can use her church for free. We just might take her up on the offer seeing as though we’re about to fall on hard times.
As far as the venue above, that looks beautiful. If I had the money to spare like that I would not mind that at all, personally.
@rawdawg I understand where you’re coming from. But if you have the money and know it won’t hurt the account at all why not have the dream reception? It was said that due to the economy it is affordable to her now. She’s just helping others keep their jobs as well as have a beautiful reception. People thinking everything is a waste of money or not being able to afford to do anything besides breathe is part of the reason so many places are closing or cutting back now, my job included.
@Jonesi - Nice spot, very very nice. Because of circumstances we got married and had the reception in a hotel. I don’t feel like our union is any less blessed as a result. We were still married by a minister.
@MissJay - Good points. I think everyone has to access their own situation in these tough economic times. If you’ve got it why not and like you said if the folks that have it hold their breaths too then more folks loose their gigs. We’ve talked before about weighing the wedding vs. the marriage and I’m sure Jonesi has it balanced. Also I hope everything works out for the better with your job situation.
TheDads last blog post..Do You Have A Work Spouse?
@ Jonesi- The place looks beautiful and the cost seems super reasonable. I think you made a great choice. My husband and I got married at the resort that we had the reception at, and like the dad said I don’t think it took away from the moment at all. Another note, I wouldn’t pay for an open bar. Let those folks pay for their own booze.
@Nicole - oh yeah I did mean to mention that. Let them pay for their own drinks. We had a cash bar, the cost of the wedding was enough I wasn’t trying to pony up any more than necessary. Use that money on pictures or something that will last.
TheDads last blog post..Holiday message from the Obama’s
Jonesi, I have been waiting for an update. Seems you are getting a bargain for your buck. The venue you picked is beautiful. Don’t worry if the Church and the reception location are not within viewing distsance of each other. It’s your day and your guests day to suck it up and go with the flow. I have been to weddings where the reception was not in the same zip code but they were in different cities.
To have an open bar or not, that is the question. It’s one of those things that has to be weighed out.(is everyone going to be responsible enough to designate a driver)? If you choose to have an open bar, ask if you can bring in your own. My brother got his alcohol from another state. It was already priced cheaper but also the state tax was lower.
That place is beautiful Jonsei. I am so excited for you. It’s like re-living my own wedding planning process. As the TheDad stated, we got married at the same facility where we had the reception. It was not a Church…but you can best believe there were plenty of church folks there!!
I was watching Judge Toler on TV this week (one of our favorite TV judges.) And she is doing a series called Before the Vows (Divorce Court.) In this series, couples come to the divorce court and they explain their situation to Judge Toler. And then the Judge will tell them if they are ready for marriage or not. I guess it is designed to help couples think about what they are about to do…before they get married…before they end-up divorcing.
On this particular show, a young couple told her that they were scraping up to save for a big wedding. She told them that their priorities were wrong…She said that they needed to be concerned with home ownership and insurance and savings.etc. And if they were scraping up money to have a big wedding..then they probably could not afford that type of wedding. I agree with her. A couple should not be going into debt trying to have a wedding. TheDad and I had a budget and we stuck to it. We did not use credit cards or get loans. We did not want to go into our marriage with a huge debt from the wedding.
But it sounds like you are doing all of the right things. That is a great price for that venue!! I would have totally jumped on that price too!!! Just think about it..if you have 100 guests..that’s like $3000. You can’t beat that..especially for such a beautiful place!! Thank-you for sharing. I can’t wait to hear more.
Also, since our wedding and reception were at the same venue. We had to order appetizers for the guests to eat after the wedding ceremony. This kept them busy while we were taking our pictures.
Jonesi - have you seen those videos where the wedding parties are doing a dance routine for the guests? What do you think… are you and your fiance going to bust a move for your guests?
TheMoms last blog post..Holiday message from the Obama’s
I was watching Judge Toler on TV this week (one of our favorite TV judges.) And she is doing a series called Before the Vows
~~~~~~~~~~~
@ TheMom. I came home for lunch today and saw some of the show. I was thinking “what is this man saying”. Before the commercial break I did see that it is called “before the vows”. I could see that the couple did have issues and the man did not want to get married only for it to end in divorce. I hope I can find the vid online so I can watch “the rest of the story”.
When I agreed to do this blog, I realized that many would not share my same ideals and opinions as I would. Other the the childish and negatively unprovoked, racially charged comment, I really do appreciate everyone’s input because it gives me outside perspectives to reflect upon. I went against my better judgement by sharing the details of the wedding and reception site, hoping it would encourage atleast one person not accept the mediocre packages many venues seem to offer when I know there are places who really aim to please without breaking the bank.
Take five bucks off the estimate I gave, add a family friend doing the music, homemade invitations and flower arrangements, fraternity brother baking the wedding cake and we’ve pretty much spent what the average American (not just black) waste on fast food, clothes and entertainment. My justisfication is the fact that I get to share my love, as the first female in my family to marry since my grandmother, with the people who encouraged me to love and taught me how to except it, showed me how to set standards in my life and expect more because of it.
One thing I learned from my childhood is that at the end of the day you have to live. If you continue to let the conditions of the world or your circumstances define your right to experience life and all it has to offer, you end up being that person that always reflects back on what they could’ve, would’ve, should’ve done. My mother may not have always made the most economically sound decisions but one thing I will always appreciate is that she sacrificed so we could live, learn, laugh, love and get the most we could out of life. She wasn’t a no parent always making us self-consious about our existence. There is healthy balance but today could be our last, tomorrow anything could happen but for me I have lived and will continue to operate with that mindset.
I just felt the need to say this because yes I understand the economy is a wreck but I’m so tired of it defining the world’s existence. We all have the right to priortize our spending and I bet we would all be surprised at what we could “afford” if we assessed our spending habits more closely. This wedding is the icing on the cake and a celebration for everyone but the foundation of our love is solid.
@Jonesi
I’ll tell you like one of my good friends signed in my yearbook (I’m suprised I even remember that lol), don’t let nobody steal your joy.
I personally love reading your story! I’m getting married myself in September 09 so I feel where you’re coming from in planning and all. Although our budget is similar if not the same as yours. We have to personally cut back due to having 2 children. You are indeed inspiring me to want the best. I love the advice I read from you, TheMom, and TheDad. Made me put my foot down about having a photographer who will give us wonderful pics. We’re cutting corners also. My fiancé and his friend DJ so we don’t have to pay for one (although I’m not too thrilled with him DJing during our reception, it’s something I can live with as he knows what I like and his friends knows what we both like). As I mentioned before about the church and minister, we’re pretty much set for that too. See girl you got me excited all over again!
@TheDad
Our company had made up their mind and will be outsourcing our jobs. At least we have time to prepare and find another job. Some in other departments had their last day the day of or the end of this month or beginning of the 2009. Thanks for the kind words! I’m looking at it as a blessing in disguise as it’s making me do what I’ve planned to do since 2006 which is go after the career I actually want.
@MissJay - It’s funny you mention the DJ. Luckily we do have a family friend who is a DJ and in fact he did a good job at my graduation party. He doesn’t necessarily concern, I think I am just leary about that day and want everything to go smoothly…I’m not aiming for perfection though it would be nice (lol). When you bring family and friends in the mix, things tend to get messy. Atleast if you’re paying someone you can hold them accountable
On another note, I hope I didn’t seen angry in my previous message because I surely wasn’t. It is wise to consider the factors when a great deal of money is involved. I can admit that there are many other things we can do with the money being spent on the wedding, but that same mentality applies to everything really. I am excited about the wedding as well, mainly because we get to share that day with many friends and family. More than anything the fact that both of our families have a reason to all come together is what I am looking forward to most
@Jonesi
That is the best reason right there, having both families come together. I’m on The Knot too. Don’t have much up there though as far as pictures or anything.
Girrrrrrl! This place is AWESOME! Especially for the price. Can you do my wedding? Lol just kidding. But you are doing a much better job that I am when it comes to reasonable pricing. I think…well I know…I am going to spend “too much”. I don’t know why, but I am not doing the “one-stop” thing. Somebody stop me… lol
But again, bravo! Don’t worry about what other people think. (Isn’t that the first rule to wedding planning?- that’s what they say lol)I appreciate your posts. A lot! I am sure that I’m not the only one…
And I don’t think that ceremonies have to be held in a church. Like The Mom and Dad said. As long as the priest, family and friends are there, it doesn’t matter.
Teemss last blog post..A Bad Taste
Leave your response!
About Us
Recent Posts
Best Blog - Culture
Best Lifestyle Blog
Recent Comments
Categories
Highest Rated
Most Commented
Most Viewed