How do you decide on two great places?

As some of you may already know i am new to LI Weddings. My boyfriend of 9 years and i recently got engaged and are planning a July 2007 wedding. The week that we came back from Miami Beach we started looking at halls. I know i am not planning on getting married any sooner than 2007 (although KellyBride a close friend would like me to in 2006 lol) I dont believe its ever to early to start planning! anyway the first place we looked into was Chateau La Mer which we really, really liked, But today we looked at Lombardis on the sound and i fell in love with it. Before i went to Lombardis i knew the price per person for both places and new one was more affordable than the other but how do i choose??

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

you will just know. If you can afford either go with the one you love!

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

Keep looking. See what other places offer for the same price. Then you will start to see what is the better deal etc. Personally though, I like Lombardis on the Sound better but thats JMO

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

What FH & I did was we made lists of pros & cons of all the halls we liked...Then we started to narrow the places down by that...For us, it basically came down to
1) price
2) proximity to church & where our guests were coming from
3) how many affairs at one time
4) menu
5) Banquet Manager personality

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

Those are all really good points which are all going through my head. I just need to sit down and organize my thoughts on paper- thanks Kissy27!!!

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

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Posted by PrincessAurora

Those are all really good points which are all going through my head. I just need to sit down and organize my thoughts on paper- thanks Kissy27!!!

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Re: How do you decide on two great places?

FH and I visited 7 places.. and each time we went through our requirments and if the hall didn't meet most of them, we threw it out. Ultimately it did come down to two with us... One had a much better price, but that was all. We really didn't feel it was "our" place. We went with our guts, the place we had nothing bad to say about and have been happy since! If you get the feeling... it's the one.

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

I think you should sit down and decide what are the MOST important things to you about the place you want to have like for me the following were important

price
location
how many weddings at a time
the size of the room for the amount of guests size of the cocktail hour room (I wanted full seating for everyone)
ceremony site and backup in case it rained
the BM we met with

Then weigh out the pros and cons...

To be honest, we almost booked PJCC (to the point Fi & I were there with check in hand) but they dropped a bombshell at us last minute and because of that we decided not to book with them... FM me if you want details...

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

I am super dorky and I made a spreadsheet before hand of things we were looking for and a rating system. We rated different things like decor, price, personality, location etc....this helped me to remember a little better what I did/did not like and also helped us make a (SLIGHTLY) more scientific. less emotional choice (even though I was gaga at the WM)!

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

I agree with some of the girls. If you have a set list of things that are important to you, for example:

must have rooms small/big enough to fit # people
must have ceremony site
must have price per person under $???
etc...(make the list before you go looking at places)


Then when you go looking you can see how each place fits into your needs. And of course there is always the wow factor. The one place that both fits your needs and makes you say "wow" is the one for you. Good luck!!

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

Def make up a list, and I made a spreadsheet with a grading system too! Having it all on paper helps you see things more clearly. Go back again and see if you still have the same great feelings about each place, ask new questions that you didn't get to before. Be more critical this time!

But you're absolutely right to start planning early, makes things easier since you can spread out your to-do list over time. Plus, you can get current pricing before everything goes up!

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

Well maybe you should look at a few other places and when something hits you like WOW this is it then you will know .... or maybe there are some personal touches that you want and one place is willing to work with you more then the other ....

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

you will just know which place is yours I would still look at other places

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

you will know.

But they aren't even in the same game. Lombardi's on the Sounds is much much better. I was impressed with Chateau La Mer.

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

I think that you know.

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

You will just know. If both are within your price range go with the one you love, afterall it is your wedding day and i'ts a once in a lifetime event.

Re: How do you decide on two great places?

All I can say is....You will just know. You get this feeling that this is the one. Good Luck!!!