I didnt know we could of paid in cash there. Isnt there a number originally guaranteed anyway? What extra do you get when you add on? Thanks so much..
I am getting married next March at Flowerfield. Did they let you pay cash to lower the tax and service charge? I have not made any payments yet.
I know what you mean by your heart set on Flowerfield. The outside grounds and gardens are at the top of my list and I keep going back to this place although my budget doesn't account for it. We have a good 3 years to figure this all out so I am sure by 2003 I will have a better idea what I can afford.
I am going to check out the Port Jeff and Majestic Gardens. Is Majestic Gardens as nice? Are the gardens real gardens or simply a patio like setting (I am not looking for this!)
thanks in advance...
Okay, here goes! : )
First of all, yes, you can pay in cash, but I think you need to discuss that before you sign your contract if you are going to use it as a bargaining point. Ask about it. You never know what might have changed since 1999. Since we paid cash, the tax was waived, but not the service charge. We tried, but couldn't find a way around that.
Second, yes, they do tell you how many people you need to guarantee. The number varies for different days and times. We knew that were were going to have a large number of guests, so we told them that we could guarantee 200 instead of 150 people. Because we upped our # of guests, they lowered the pp fee. Again, I think this needs to be done before you sign your contract, but it can't hurt to ask.
Finally, we chose to upgrade with a seafood bar, 2 entree upgrades, 1/2 hour extra cocktail time, and 1 hour hospitality time before our cocktail hour started. The more things we asked for, the better the deal became. For example, the asking price on the seafood was $12.00 additional pp, and we eventually got it down to $8.00. Also, on our wedding day instead of a hospitality hour (fruit and champagne)that we asked for, they gave us a full open bar for 1/2 hour,and then opened our cocktail hour 1/2 early! My cocktail hour actually went from 6pm - 8pm!
Last, Majestic Gardens was very pretty, but it wasn't quite like Flowerfield. They have a very nice outside area with a beautiful fountain and a gazebo, but for the life of me I can't remember if they had actual gardens! The people there were very nice and accommodating. In fact, at one point I mentioned to my mom that I was starving and in the mood for ice cream, and the next thing I knew, they were handing me a hot fudge sundae!
I hope I answered all of your questions! If there is anything else I can help you ladies with, please let me know.
Good luck to you all! : )
I take your advice and try to bargain, you never know!
I booked last February for a September wedding of this year. Not only did I get last years rates but I got an extra $5 per person taken off the price. I booked early mostly because we're on a pretty tight budget. I think most places give you the current year's rates if you book far in advance.
