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In today’s hive:
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We’re probably going to shoot for a budget of about 5,000…hopefully, that’ll be including the honeymoon…and if not, probably around 6-7k. We’ll see, since it’s a couple of years away, though.
We’re having a small wedding (around 40-50 people), so we’ll be able to stick to budget, I think.
The NJ beach wedding was my dream too. But after 2 months of venue hunting we decided the Jersey Shore not what we pictured for a “beach” wedding and it was WAY over budget. We are getting our beach wedding by going to Hawaii with some friends and family and coming back and having the Chinese banquet.
You could have the ceremony on the beach and choose a more inland dinner venue that guests will have to drive to but will definitely be cheaper. I would recommend (and have visited these when I was planning for NJ wedding): Branches (www.branchescatering.com) The Mill at Spring Lake Heights - published price includes gratuity (http://www.themillatslh.com/wedbanquet/pricing.html) Jack Bakers, I think the Lobster Shanty is the banquet place (http://www.jackbakerslobstershanty.com) and The Channel Club, best bang for the buck (http://www.channelclubnj.com/) because they offer a 2nd serving of the main course (extra is always ordered when guests choose at the table so instead of tossing it they serve it). Food is also to die for. Not exactly beach but certainly jersey shore.
Also, keep in mind the Jersey Shore is NOT private so you’ll have to deal with beach goers at your ceremony - the thought of that made my fiance nuts. The only place we found that had semi-private beach is Merri-makers at Water’s Edge. The view from the dining room is heart stopping. Water’s Edge is part of a summer club that people join but the you can get it guest free right before Memorial Day weekend and after Labor Day. It’s pricey but might be worth it if you do it right.
Good luck, I know exactly how you feel.
Instead of calling caterers, call regular restaurants. Many of them do catering on the side, and Chinese, Indian, and Mexican restaurants are typically cheaper than traditional American-style places.
How big is your guest list? Maybe you could rent a large waterfront home for a day or two (especially in the fall or spring when it is off-season), and hold the ceremony on the back deck or on the beach behind it. Local restaurants (instead of a caterer) should give you a better price (and better food!), and who knows, they may already be old pros at catering large house parties on the shore! They wouldn’t even have to know it’s a wedding. Plus, you can buy your own booze, which will save you costs as well.
I was wondering, whatever happened to Mrs. Rose? Is she okay?
There is a newish wedding site in staten island called The vanderbuilt which is literally on the beach. However I’ve heard semi okay reviews about the food. They will probably be $100/pp and up as well, but perhaps you can call and see what their options are and maybe they will allow a small cocktail or brunch reception. That way you don’t have to deal with catering and rentals for a beach wedding. Depending on your budget, have you thought about a destination wedding with a small group. In march I went to a wedding in Mexico and the couple spent about 5-6K for a beautiful beautiful wedding that would have costed an arm and a leg here in the US.
Thanks jenny for your input. I was considering the mills and totally missed that the gratuties were already included! You’ve also listed several venues that i haven’t researched yet. I can be happy with pictures on the beach and venue inland.
check out city owned public parks - they’re usually free or only have a small fee of $20 or $50 max (typically)
also, keep it small and intimate to reduce costs - that way you dont have to compromise quality 
In order to help keep the cost down, I am making my own invitations, choosing less expensive flowers, choosing a reasonable photographer for lesser hours, etc. My wedding dress is actually a nicer version of a bridesmaids dress which is a lot cheaper. I guess you just have to see what things youre willing to budge on and what things you cant live without.
I am planning on a max of 150. Currently I have 210 with a bulk of the guests being my parents’ friends. My brother just had his wedding in september and my parents had invited 200 people of family and friends. So they’ve toned it down for mine.
I have a question for the hive: has anyone regretted hiring a wedding planner? We got one since my FI works two jobs and I work and go to school. I feel like I am micromanaging her though! She has missed meetings with vendors, and generally does not seem to be on top of things.
We’re planning to take engagement pictures in NYC. Does anyone know any vibrant n bold colors buildings/architecture around the city? ex. walls, brownstones, doors, etc…
CB: if she’s missed more than one without a valid excuse, fire her. Take a good look at the contract that you signed with her (if you have one), because she’s probably in breach. If you have no contract, you don’t even have to worry about that. She obviously has other things she needs to be doing, anyway.
flobster: I didn’t even count how many people were invited to the wedding (the main batch of invitations had 126 *invites*, plus others that were slow to give us their addresses), but I figured we’d have about 100 show up (we’re at 88 attending, 15 trying to make arrangements to come, and about 50 who haven’t gotten back to us and probably won’t make it — mostly my family). My food & drink budget wouldn’t allow for a good sit-down dinner (at less than $50pp), so I’m serving good heavy hors d’oeuvres. A limited selection at the bar, but those will be open. I was coy with my caterer about budget only until I knew what her prices were compared to her competitors. Then I told her, flat out, ¢¢â€š¬…”I’m paying for this myself, and I’m not independently wealthy. At a guess, 100-125 people will show. You have over a third of the budget, which is $XXXX. That’s all that’s there, but any less expensive ways of doing things will leave more money for other things you provide. Show me what you can do with this, and include a chocolate fountain if you can.¢¢â€š¬? She didn’t turn a hair about my providing the alcohol for the limited bar, bringing the tablecloths, or using paper napkins and disposable plates. Her initial estimate, including tax and tip, was thirty-six cents over the number I gave her. And she’s been a jewel to work with; since she knows the situation and the boundaries that exist, and the areas where she has complete artistic licence, she doesn’t feel like she’s working blind.
RCY: Nony mouse
I guess negotiating is key. That’s so difficult for me since I always accept things for the way they are.
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