Venue in the Northeast Philadelphia Area

In over a year? In season? Yes, it's in season...

I don't know...with tax and service added, that means you need to be less than 50 bucks as a base price. That's pretty tough....

You could think about brunch, you could think about a Thursday night, you could think about a restaurant with a private room. It is still going to be tough.

Being from Philly, downtown rates are double that.

When we started our search, anything near us started at $100/per person. It all depends on what your looking for. You may want to consider getting married off season to lower some cost.

You may want to check the surrounding areas for lower rates.

My sister went to a wedding here http://www.peopleforpeople.org/theview/

The couple hosted the minimum package, which looks fairly inexpensive, compared to other venues I've seen. Of course you have to add tax, service charge, alcohol, cocktail hour food, etc.

We married in DE, which has no sales tax, so we saved thousands. Our venue had about a 20% discount for Friday or Sundays and Saturday afternoon.

If you can go into Bucks County, you'll save on the city sales tax (8% on food and 10% on alcohol).

I looked in North East Philly and South Jersey, cheapest I looked at was about $125 before tax and service.

Thanks Ladies ! I think I am going to up the budget and look outside the city

I have seen that rate in the areas outside of philly city limits or in south jersey - but those were catering only costs before taxes/gratuity/drinks

it is unlikely you will find that rate to include everything in that area. We found some places for around that where 60-80pp but that was for catering only - did not include the venue fee or bar. Even discounting the venue fee, once we added in a bar price it because closer to 100-120pp.

I wouldnt look in Philadelphia. You will not find that rate in the city limits. Go outside of philly or to south jersey but even then you will probably want to reconsider the total amount....

I'm in South Jersey. There are a few venues that might come to that but that's without liquor or cake.

Maybe at celebrations you can get that rate.

Masso's in Glassboro, South Jersey. Their pp price included cake and alcohol + separate menu for upgrades. Tax is 7%, and is NOT included in their package price, so add that in if you get a quote from them! Gratuity is also additional as well. I think their base package with 27% added (sales tax and 20% gratuity) it was right around $70. They have outdoor on site ceremony locations to choose from, and different rooms to choose from - it might be a couple hundred extra for the ceremony?....They do have a nice outdoor tent area, but I'm pretty sure that was $75 ++ plus tax and gratuity.

I live in Philly as well. Doing it IN Philly is automatically going to cost more. We're doing ours in Bucks instead.

I grew up right around the corner from masso's and have been to several weddings and all of my high school awards banquets there - I wouldn't recommend getting married there unless you want a very banquet hall type feel. It's certainly one of the most cost effective ways - if not THE most affordable one. However, I have never been impressed with them for weddings and actively avoided them during my venue search. My mother even actively objected to the place when someone else mentioned it. They have been in business for over 30 years and nothing about them has changed in that time either. They're a lovely place to have some kind of big party but are not what I would personally recommend for a wedding.

However, if you're looking for the MOST cost effective venue - they would be your best bet. The food is fine, they offer open bar options and the gazebo is really nice. The staff are always pleasant and everyone i know who got married there was happy with the service.

It all depends on what is most important to you

If you don't mind going a little outside of the city check the Buck Hotel in Feasterville. Includes cake, open bar and centerpieces for $80 per person I think ours was.

ETA- its a restaurant and the food is delicious. We had soooo much food.