Opinion Time - Wedding Venues
#246344 - 02/14/06 04:04 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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I had this posted under one of my other topics but I figured it would just get buried and might be better on it's own 
Thank you all for your wonderful replies...don't know what I'd do without you guys!
I know it doesn't have to be expensive but I definately want something pretty fancy...all the weddings in my family have been like that and I guess I just always expected it. I know that doesn't mean I should necessarily have a big hoopla but I guess I've just always had my heart set on it. My Mom was big into these things...she threw me a crazy big sweet 16 party with official invitations and photographers and everything that possibly could have cost more than the wedding will Hey, I'll share a pic maybe: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/Vicam7/linda16.jpg (Group Photo)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/Vicam7/linda17.jpg (Me with Cake).
Anyways, I think my two favorite choices (for those who know London) are the Lamplighter Inn and the Windermere Manor. I've gotten some prices from them and wanted to post them here and get people's opinions on whether they think they're reasonable (if you guys don't mind). Hopefully on the weekend I can go in person and actually look at these places, as both of them are already very booked for Summer 2007.
Lamplighter Inn:
They actually have 2 options. The first is just a per person charge for the dinner and doesn't include the bar or anything like that...it's $38.75 CAD for a gourmet 5-course meal in their crystal ballroom.
The second option is their "all-inclusive" option. For this you need to guarantee you will have at least 125 adult guests(which I don't think will be a problem). With that you get a punch reception (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), 3 course meal with wine continuously served throughout the meal, champagne for toasting and a 4 hour open bar and a bridal suite. That is $80/adult and $20/children. If I also want to do the ceremony there (which I think I'd like) the atrium where they do the ceremony is an additional $500.
For the Windermere it's a bit trickier...you have to pay for the hall and the drinks and everything, there's nothing all-inclusive, but this is what the coordinator emailed me: "An average Windermere Wedding from start to finish including room rental, food and beverage taxes and gratuity would run an average of $80 to $100 per person. This should give you a ball park idea where your final bill would end up. Of course if you have a cash bar, later start in the evening or depending on your crowd your bill could be less."
So...it's a tough call. First of all they could both be out of my Dad's budget for all I know (we'll be talking with my fiance's parents tonight to see what they'd be willing to chip in) and second I haven't seen them. But I just wanted to get some opinions.
If anyone wants to check out their websites I'll list them...although neither site is very impressive (IMO):
Lamplighter: http://www.lamplighterinn.ca/Weddings.asp
Windermere: http://www.windermeremanor.com/
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Wow!
#246428 - 02/15/06 04:52 AM
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cailin
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 3563
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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They are both lovely venues.
One more tip, visit them, bring a list of questions- think of things like do any of your guests have special needs etc- and check what kind of a feel that you get from each place AND from the staff there. You will be dealing with them a lot so it's important that you get on well with them.
I have a list of potential venue questions someplace that I can dig out if you'd like it- let me know.
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S.
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I vote...
#246447 - 02/15/06 07:21 AM
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Tissy
Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 773
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Windemere Manor, how beautiful and elegant!
Christie
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Christie
~Hoping and Praying for Sleep!~
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I'd go visit each and speak to some staff members... think in advance of who is coming... will stairs be an issue for some of your guests.. do you need handicapped facilities..
Do you have people with food allergies, and can that be handled by the waitstaff (I have some and The husband of her other mother figure has others in Cassi's case)... do you like the setting, do you like the food (or are you bringing in your own).. can you afford their prices... if you are having the ceremony there is there a private space for the bride to get ready, and will you be comfortable there, and is there a space for you and your groom to go between ceremony and reception for a few minutes alone... and maybe a chance to eat! if you will have kids there are there appropriate spaces for any needed babysitting, etc...
there are more questions but those are a good start beyond the $$ ones..
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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The Windermere is super nice. But the other place is also great. Make a budget and stick to it. You will soon realize that there are a zillion expenses.
That said, I would want to know up-front what the event will cost. Our wedding is so much per person. That includes all the food, the wedding cake and the drinks are included (open bar). There was a charge for the chapel and we will ahve to add a tip fee too. But we can calculate excatly what it will cost us once we get a final number of the guest count.
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On looks alone from the web site, I'd say the second one, the Windmere inn!! I don't think you can go wrong with either though! Go and talk to the people and person and see which one seems more helpful and more your style! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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..you just don't get that over here at all! Open bars are very very unusual at weddings. Usually we have a drinks reception (usually tea&coffee or hot punch or champagne) when the guests arrive and then we serve wine with dinner and either more wine, a choice of drinks from the bar or a glass of champagne for the toasts.
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S.
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In America you get that pretty much everywhere. Tina and I are having an hour and a half cocktail hour at out reception! WoohoooO! 
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