EDR - Dessert Buffet option? Concerned about Money!

[nolaroy724]

We are doing dinner at El Cocotol then cake at the health bar afterward. We are paying $8/ person plus the cake. We just got the smallest cake $165 for 1 teir because we figured everyone will be full from dinner (they serve dessert w/ dinner too). We will only have 23 people, so it seems like a great deal to us.

 

You can also save money by doubling up on some of the flowers. You can read about this in earlier posts of this thread.

[MelanieS]

You can also save money by doubling up on some of the flowers. You can read about this in earlier posts of this thread.

 

We did this by using the flowers from the gazebo as centerpieces on the two tables for dinner and they were gorgeous. We then took them to the Health Bar for the dessert reception/dance. Also, Mandy's bouquet was placed on the table and looked like another centerpiece.

[Dreamgirl08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BandE2008 Hey! So I am starting to really stress about money. We were doing a private reception, but I am now thinking of having the dinner with my free 40 person dinner and having a get together after - as this I believe will lower the cost/guest. OR I could do a cocktail with appies get together following the wedding, THEN the free dinner for 40 at El Coctal.... My question - does anyone have the info on the dessert buffet option? Im my 30 + page package, I do not have any info on this option. Does it come with the 2 hour international bar deal? What are your thoughts on what to do to save money? All this said, we are getting close to 40 guests, and if we have more, I dont think the free dinner is an option anymore so I might be screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP PLEASE!

Oh boy...Money $$$$ Matters can really stress you out alright. I'm kind of in the same boat. I won't know for sure until our RSVP's come in SEP, 08. but we're actually hoping not to pass our 25 guest limit. We'll see...Good luck with yours too. I know what it's like. FI knows nothing of all the crap I've purchased online so far either. We're way off our budget. And I thought a destination wedding would be cheaper..lol . Well it actually is, but I'm just a little of a perfectionist I guess, and I don't want to look back at my pics and wish I would have done things differently. It will all be worth it remember that.

[BandE2008]

Monica wrote me the following:

 

Re how much more per person if you go over your 40 people limit for the "free" dinner

This group dinner reservation is for up to 40 people, in case you have more guests you can have this dinner for 45 people by paying $25.,00 US for each additional person, OR, select to have a private event with additional cost using menus from our Banquet kit (attached) menu cost includes food, open bar, service, private location, basic set up and tax.

 

Re: Dessert Reception they said the no longer have it

We do not have a dessert buffet menu, we offer a "Chocolate Fountain" at $14.00 US per person, this cost includes service, open bar, tax, basic set up and the use of a private area for 2 hours. You could reserve this at the end of your dinner so you will have some time in private with your guest.

 

And, as an aside, I wanted to show you this - this came as a surprise. Am I being passed off or is Monica leaving?

I would like to introduce you Carolina Miranda, she will be assisting you finalizing your wedding plans starting next week, Carolina is very professional and will be more than happy to help you coordinate this memorable event; I am now in the process to pass all your file to her, please feel free to contact her to this same e-mail address.

[BandE2008]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandy Have you looked at other places you could cut back? Do you need our help with your budget? We'd be happy to look it over and give you our thoughts!

Thanks for the offer.

Here is my spreadsheet items.

The food for approx 40 people at a private will be about $3000 extra on top of this ....


Ceremony:
Sweet Free Wedding Package
Gazebo 55
Decoration of Location --
Chairs for 12 people and table with white linen up grade white cover and bow $48.00
Additional chairs (approx 30) decorated with cover and bow $300.00
Gazebo decorations ---
Exotic Gazebo Decoration Package 4 poles with sheer fabric, 2 large hanging corsages with 25 pastel or tropical flowers each one, and petals from 48 roses. (pink and white) $220.00
wooden aisle runner $150.00
Fabric decorations for the gazebo $150.00
aisle runner $40.00

Extras
Flowers
Bouonniere's for the groom B3, Cymbidium Orchid (pink) $25.00
Bridal Bouquet bouquet that combines BB17 (white), BB14 (pink stargazer lilies), and a few pink orchids $150.00
Bridesmaid Bouquets (4) BB17, White Iris total $200.00
Coursages for mothers (2) LCO2, *in Pink*, wrist type total $50.00

Photography
Outside vendor fee - Claudia R. $500.00

Spa
Hair Appointment for Bride at 1:00 - $77.00


And thats all so far.
So ... already over $2000

Plus photos will be about $4000

So I just cant justify a $4000 private reception on top of it all!



Now, if I was to show you my actual breakdown including dress, trips etc., you would vomit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IM SO STRESSED

[Mandy]

The first thing I see is the "dressed" chairs. Are you in love with them, or are you ok to have them plain? That was one spot I cut back. Let me know if you want to see a pic of the undressed chairs. This would save you $348 for approx 30 min use.

 

Also, I assume you're using the wooden runner since you have high heels? What about not putting the colored runner on top of it? You will have your color in the gazebo decorations and flowers. Or, alternatively, cut out the colored fabric for the gazebo and keep the runner.

 

Edit: sorry, the $300 extra for chairs probably isn't all for the "dressing", so it wouldn't be as dramatic of a savings.

[Mandy]

Oh, and you can't count the trip, because you would be taking a honeymoon anyway!

[Mandy]

Here was our set-up at Gazebo 55, with exotic gazebo, fabric for gazebo, colored runner, petals, and undressed chairs.

 

[nolaroy724]

Also, you may want to eliminate the wooden walkway all together because you still will have a lot of sand to walk through before you even get to the walkway. Other EDR girls were surprised by this and had tons of sand in their shoes for the ceremony!

[animaldoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BandE2008 Thanks for the offer. Here is my spreadsheet items. The food for approx 40 people at a private will be about $3000 extra on top of this .... Ceremony: Sweet Free Wedding Package Gazebo 55 Decoration of Location -- Chairs for 12 people and table with white linen up grade white cover and bow $48.00 Additional chairs (approx 30) decorated with cover and bow $300.00 Gazebo decorations --- Exotic Gazebo Decoration Package 4 poles with sheer fabric, 2 large hanging corsages with 25 pastel or tropical flowers each one, and petals from 48 roses. (pink and white) $220.00 wooden aisle runner $150.00 Fabric decorations for the gazebo $150.00 aisle runner $40.00 Extras Flowers Bouonniere's for the groom B3, Cymbidium Orchid (pink) $25.00 Bridal Bouquet bouquet that combines BB17 (white), BB14 (pink stargazer lilies), and a few pink orchids $150.00 Bridesmaid Bouquets (4) BB17, White Iris total $200.00 Coursages for mothers (2) LCO2, *in Pink*, wrist type total $50.00 Photography Outside vendor fee - Claudia R. $500.00 Spa Hair Appointment for Bride at 1:00 - $77.00 And thats all so far. So ... already over $2000 Plus photos will be about $4000 So I just cant justify a $4000 private reception on top of it all! Now, if I was to show you my actual breakdown including dress, trips etc., you would vomit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IM SO STRESSED

I have Monica as my coordinator as well and she is leaving EDR and has accepted a position at another company. I have a question as well-did Monica recommend making your spa appointments this early? I have not booked those yet, should I?