In pure shock...

Omg! I'm in illinois, but what I did was just request quotes from EVERYWHERE. i didn't print the ones that were clearly out of budget, and then sorted through the rest with FH. he made a spread sheet so we could see what we got at each venue for the cost and we decided what to tour based on that. it was a lot of work, but it helped me feel like I saw all my options and didn't discount anywhere off the bat!

Girl. Run far away from that venue! That's outrageous.

Don't worry. You're not alone.

I got quoted a $120,000 minimum for a peak season Saturday evening in Newport, RI. That was for 100 guests. She literally told me "I know that's $1,000pp, but that includes everything!" FYI: it didn't include everything. That included food, drinks, ceremony and reception decor. No photographer. No DJ. No extras. Needless to say, I QUICKLY ended that call.

Yeah some places are crazy expensive. We were looking to have our reception at a restaurant here in LA and their food and beverage minimum was $45,000....I about fell out of my chair. That doesn't include anything except food and alcohol

Thanks Kate!

I actually have a lot of other venues on my list that are within price range. I just went crazy with requesting quotes and got a lot back that I wasn't even interested in and lots out of my price range (lots within though!). Just thought this particular quote was laughable. I can't believe it's not a joke and that some of these places ACTUALLY cost that much!

Hahahaha. When I first started all this wedding planning business, I thought $20PP was unreasonable.

I'm close to $100PP now, but nothing shocks me anymore.

Wow, with those prices it sheds a whole new light on what the weddings featured in the New York Times must cost!

Catlady.. you're absolutely right. Haha I should have known! I'm new to all of this and learning VERY quickly...

I was going to say- it's NJ what were you expecting- but 500 IS high.

Being said- catlady nailed it- if it's luxury and celebrity (which we have a lot of around here) I'm not really that surprised.

how many people are you looking to host? I went through a lot of venues and had a difficult time because I was on the "small" side of the wedding world. So it was tough to swing 30 guests- and NOT have a 10K minimum on the joint.

The word wedding automatically increases the number before the decimal point. I'm on Long Island and my venue with tax and service fee is coming in at a little under $200 per person with a 150 minimum guarantee. I've learned to deal with it so the sticker shock doesn't hurt as much.

That's a lot even for New York on a Saturday night (cite: I was usually quoted $3-400 per person when asking about this).

Kate .. you're the only person that needs that. Can't have royalty wondering through the streets of NJ! lolol

Dang. But; I'm not surprised. I creeped on WW a lot prior to contacting and visiting any potential venues. I figured about $120 pp in South Jersey. I had reverse sticker shock for my venue's catering costs.

Holy cow that's a lot! Yeah, you should be able to find a wonderful venue for a lot less than that I would think.

And I freaked over a 2500 min flower order .... lol

$500 pp?!?! Are the plates literal solid gold...lol

Also @futurevc what the actual shit.... $120,000 minimum?!

This post makes me feel really good about my vendors right now, haha.

The highest quote I got was $15,000 for the rental space and $250pp ... way out of budget for me but not as crazy as some of these! damn

I looked at one place in the middle of nowhere, NY that had a minimum of SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!

$65,000

I had to have someone else read it to me just to make sure I understood it correctly.

I didn't book there.

I'm getting married at Doolans in Spring Lake NJ and my venue is only $75 per person and is all inclusive. Check out wedding-spot.com to find a venue in your budget.

@Mrs Fall Bride - it was Cedar Lake Estates in Port Jervis of all places! Crazy.

Yes, we chose Grandview :-) it is gorgeous there. I can't say it was my favorite but their staff really impressed me and I thought their pricing was amazing for what they provide. I hope we get an unseasonably warm November but I'm not counting on it lol.

Where did you end up booking if you don't mind me asking?

Holy moly that's a lot of money! I would have fallen out when someone quoted me that. Hell, I almost fell out at $140 PP