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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Sticker Shock

I have been engaged for nearly 9 months now, but we didn't really start any planning until about 3 months after the proposal.  My groom was out of town, but in that time I did some research on my own, and to say I was overwhelmed by everything I came across is a gross understatement.  I have lived in Spokane my entire life and am very aware of different local options for events, so it wasn't like I was going in blind.  What I wasn't prepared for was when you add "wedding" to anything it's like it's suddenly become gold-plated, with a price tag to match.

Only it hasn't.  Your wedding is no more special to most business than, say, an anniversary party held at the same venue.  Sometimes when it's a wedding they throw in a "day-of coordinator," as if you will need help with cues and timing and props like you're stage manager at a production of Wicked.  And if you go the traditional route, with all its grandiose glory, it's likely you will.  But I digress.

When we finally were ready to pick a venue, we visited Trezzi Farm on Green Bluff.  I had purchased food from the Trezzis for my half-Italian Grandma's birthday some years back, and I'm a sucker for anything authentically Italian.  The farm is gorgeous, with its 360 degree scenery and on-site vineyard.  We discovered that Trezzi had catered an event for my FH's (future husband) Army unit some years back, so he was endeared to them from the moment we walked in.

Stefanie gave us a thorough tour, and I could see my wedding forming before my eyes.  And then we talked money.  They are the required caterer, which makes sense, since half of what they do is make food.  The other half is make wine, of which you are mandated to purchase at least 1 glass per adult guest.  This works out to about $25/person for the least expensive menu and $5/glass for the wine (2011 prices).  Unlike other places, you don't pay a venue fee, but they really had no contingency plan for rain other than a roof-only structure which guests could huddle under in the event of rain, but would cost you another $1000 to use.

Compared to what I had seen online, these prices were fairly reasonable, and I knew it.  It's likely we'd have booked then and there if we'd had the means for the deposit at the time.  Boy am I glad we didn't.  It's a rare day indeed in which we go to a restaurant and spend $25 for entrees for the two of us--but because we want family and friends to witness our union, we're supposed to do so for 100+ guests?  It just wasn't logical.

I work with the public, and when I speak to newly-married people I was, for a time, asking them where they got married.  They thought I was being conversational when in fact I was being self-serving.  I had one girl tell me of a venue in Deer Park whose name escapes me, and gush about how reasonable it was.  I excitedly looked it up--only to discover it cost $3000 just to have your wedding there.  That's pre-catering, pre-drinks (more on that later); 3 grand just to hang out on their property.

During this same time I began seeing ads for Davenport weddings described as "surprisingly affordable" with packages starting at $30/guest.  Unless I'm charging admission to my wedding, that is not affordable.  (Need I point out how outrageous it is for a multi-million dollar company to decide what is affordable for me?)

I guess you could say sticker shock is what lead me to create this blog.  It was hard to find venues that were alternative and wouldn't break the bank, when all Google (and our 2 local independent blogs) is dominated with is the fancy, packaged, fees-and-fine-print venues who want to make "your special day" "unique."

If I can help even one couple plan a wedding that reflects them, helps them celebrate their love and union with friends and family, and doesn't break their budget, I will consider my job done.

2 comments:

  1. So where did you end up having your wedding/reception? Was it affordable?

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  2. Nice one! Everybody has their own love stories and this was clearly a very interesting one. I am also getting married by the end of this year to my childhood best friend. We know all about each other’s ex-boyfriend and girlfriend. It feels good to share the life with the one who knows everything about you. We have picked up one of the finest wedding venues NYC for the day.

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