A la Carte or Wedding Package?

Smart move on your part.

Thanks Celia. I had been debating for a while about doing it this way and we don't really need a cocktail hour because we're doing formal pics in the park and family pics in our suite before the ceremony and our guest list is small.

We did a set package. With the exception of the cake, we removed that from the package and got a cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory instead.

For me, we were getting married in a state neither of us lived in and while it was close to our new home, it was far from where I was planning from. So, I wanted to make it as easy as possible for me, not having to deal with different vendors.

That makes sense Piecesofadream. Our cake was included in the package, so we lost the tiered cake, but we already had previously paid the baker a $50 upcharge when we ordered our cake so he is doing a sheet cake which is included in the meal selection we chose, and the $50 upcharge will get us a nice design. It's going to be the same design as if we had our tired cake, but only one tier and not 3. We already have our blingy #10 topper which the baker has and we can live with that.

We did a set package. It includes a coordinator to help you with details, 5 hours for the whole shebang, four-course sit down dinner, choice of linen/napkin colors, champagne toast, CAKE, personalized place cards, and a dressing room. Technically, they also had these ugly fishbowl centerpieces lol, but I decided to just buy flowerpots instead.

Set package. The venue I went with only offers packages. Going A la carte ends up costing about the same as a package. I looked into it.

I have a package but I bargained hard and she through in an extra hour bar time and an extra entree choice.

We still have our open bar, we added that separately, and sit down dinner with choice of chicken or fish. We went from $120.41 per person down to $82.68 per person.

ETA: I spent my lunch hour yesterday on the phone with my venue coordinator. Love her!!!

Our venue only had packages.But it was a good deal and I got DOC,officiant,hair/makeup/nails,cake,sit down dinner,hor dourves,open starbucks bar(not having alcohol), smores bar,table cloths/linens, and lots of uplighting .

Everything was individual. Our venue was a city-owned beach reception hall with NOTHING but a dance floor, bathrooms, tables/chairs, and a kitchen.

So we brought in everything. We were able to do a $4,000 wedding for 130 guests that way.

We did a full package but our venue allowed to add or take away things with no problem

Champagne toast was in our package and even though we did everything separate, they comped the champagne toast for us

Our venue doesn't offer packages. They include the chairs and tables and a DOC with the venue rental and it was one of the cheapest places we found! We have to use one of their preferred caterers (and would have to have a bartender hired through one of those companies, but we chose to go dry) otherwise we got to bring in whatever vendors we wanted.

We choose a package and added a few things and took some out. Ours in out of state as well, about 3.5 hours away in Lake Tahoe so it made since and was way cheaper than anything in Bay area.

Guess it depends on the venue whether it's more convient to do it one way over the other.

We had a set package. Which included to entree options, cocktail hour, open bar, table linens and chair covers.

Our wedding is outside under a tent. Anyway, the caterer we found offers a full service package that includes cocktail hour with 10-12 apps, 4 stations, plated dinner with 4 entree options, a full dessert table, open bar and coffee station, linens and dinnerware. We have to bring in the tables and chairs.

It made sense for our guest count and timewise. Since we have no time limit, I want to make sure our guests were comfortable even if we're still there into the wee hours of the night partying!

You made the right choice, esp. since your timeline was all close together.

Bc our venue is where FH works and where he manages and the owners are friends of ours we basically made our own package from scratch regarding cocktail hour and dinner. We went outside to get our cake from a small bakery so the price is amazing!

@Miss to Mrs FH actually thought of it.We are having a family wedding and know that none of them drink, and FH loves starbucks!

We didn't have any packages offered, so we're piecing everything together.

But I do have to say--Future Mrs. Matthews, if there was a starbucks option, I would be so tempted!!!