trying to get marry in long island ny with a budget of $3000

[lubby]

Originally Posted by okellies

Thanks, fellow ICP bride! I had never heard of ICP (I'm from Nassau) and when I heard about it and went there, it was wonderful to find a venue that is nice and very friendly and not pushy.

I actually really wanted to do the Bates House, but FH didn't want to have to worry about outside catering and things of that nature, which I understand.

I had never heard about it either until I moved out here to Islip in 2003. Been there for 2 other weddings besides my own and have eaten dinner there at least a dozen times. It was an easy choice for us because we had our engagement party there (a surprise by my future husband to me) and when we went looking at halls we all agreed to have it at the ICP.

[Modification Specialist]

My $00.02

Out of 100's of Weddings DJ-ed over the years, one of my best parties was a bride and groom that wanted (had) budget wedding around $1000.

To save money many people will tell you not to have a DJ. Just to have music playing. With nobody directing the party, there is no coordination, the party will be very flat. People will come and leave early. Years later guests will not remember the food, they will remember if they had a good time.

You do not need a large speaker system, nor do you need an elaborate light show. Because family and guests will be talking with each other, and wedding receptions are meant for attention on the bride and groom.

• 125 guests with 16 in their wedding party (including the younger ring bearer and flower girl).

• A relative had no-charge access to a complex club house for for the entire day. The only requirement was to leave it as they found it - Clean. (Also remembering a wedding for a volunteer firefighter, no charge for the firehouse hall).

• The bride and groom asked guests to bring appetizers (cocktail hour). That provided a big selection of different food.

• Had ceremony with a Judge. (Paid $75 - had worked with the same judge at other weddings ceremonies).

• For the wedding ceremony played on a boom-box.

• As guest sat played

• 
  Pachelbel's Cannon in D minor.

• Bride enter room escorted by father played

• 
  Here Comes the Bride.

• Bride and groom marched out played

• 
  Mendelssohn's Wedding March

• Worked out a deal with a local deli. Family members picked up and prepared the food. (Mentioned food was around $450). Had two waitresses to serve and clean up.

• After the meal get everyone up for a group photo. This was a DJ trick to get everyone up at one time and ask who has the camera? Then go right into a song like the Electric Slide. This is an opportunity to have one photo taken everyone at the party.

• After the cake ceremony - half way through daughter-father dance, have the groom dance with brides mother. Same thing with Groom-mother dance, 1/2 way bride dances with grooms father.

• BYOB - Open bar. The brought two Kegs which were floated. Ended up doing beer runs towards end of party.

• Initially gave a discount because referred two another party's. Went 3 hours OT paid by the guests. Booked several other parties after.

• Suggestion to you - get disposable cameras, numbering for each table. Designate one person to take pictures & video the party, plus collecting the table cameras towards end of party.

• If you handy with a computer and scanner. ** 100% winning moment to be watched 1/2 way through dinner. Creating a photo-montage of the bride and groom growing up with family and guests at the party. 150/200 photos a few seconds between with background music = 10 to 15 minutes. The can be a thoughtful gift to your guests to hand out copies at the end of the party.

Good Luck

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