Response from the couple:
Hi Lori,
First, Congratulations on your engagement! What an exciting time. :) The Hilton does charge a site fee, I believe it was $1,000, in addition to the catering cost. I believe most of the packages are about $120-140 per person, but add-ons can increase that number. Natalie and Lauren were wonderful to work with in planning, and the event staff was phenomenal too. I can't recommend them enough!
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Laura
Response:
I am looking into them too!
Did they get you a good room rate for your guests?
Did you hold yours outdoors??
Response from the couple:
Hi Lori,
Our guests received an 18% discount from regular rates. We held our wedding on the beach and our reception on the sandy area next to the restaurant (it apparently used to be a tennis court, so it's nice and flat) and we had a tent there so everything was covered -- it's better for weather, but also for lighting!
Good luck!
Laura
Response:
OK perfect that is exactly what I want to do!! All the other places say I have to shut down at 10 or 11p but Hilton said I can go as long as I want! Do you remember how late your reception went up to??
Also band or dj?? I would like band!!!!
Thank you sooo much!
Response from the couple:
Anytime! I'm glad I can help!!
The outdoor noise ordinance on Longboat is 11pm, but you can go as long as you want inside. We signed our contract til 11, then had "optional extensions" for bar and DJ depending on how long the party went, and if there were any complaints about the noise. I'm pretty sure our DJ stayed until midnight, but by then there were only about 10 of us left and we all just went down to the beach (our group was small and reception started at 6:30, so it was long!). Our DJ was Jay Goodley out of Venice -- I HIGHLY recommend him. Also got Pete Simms to do guitar for ceremony and Kenny Moolenaar for steel drums during cocktails -- we loved all of them and got great comments from our guests.
I'm happy to recommend other vendors too -- just let me know if you have any other questions!
Laura
Response:
ok one thing I was slightly worried about is longboat key over all. I know on Lido there is Armands Circle were guests can do some shopping or go to a restaurant. The Hilton is not near anything else, did you feel like you guests were ok just hanging out at the hotel? I am going to see it in 2 weeks so I am sure I will have a better idea then!
Response from the couple:
It really wasn't an issue for us - with only 60 guests and with our own events for all guests on Fri and Sun, they were pretty much always busy on site. We did give them a list of things to do (museums, Mote aquarium, St Armands, etc) if they chose to come early, stay late, or do something during the day on Saturday. Generally, though -- as one of my college roommates and bridesmaids said -- "we bring the party with us!"
Response:
Good Point! And I definitly agree if I provide a stuff Friday night, saturday night and sunday morning they can fend for themselves one day!! Off to check out the hotels next weekend....did you look at Longboad Key club or Lido Beach Resort? Just curious since they are in my options too!! Thanks for your help!!
Response from the couple:
We did look at both, but they're much bigger than the Hilton. For our group of 60 it was way too much. LKC recommended that we get a bus or trolley between the beach wedding and on-site reception location. I couldn't imagine not being able to walk between the two, so that was out. I just felt they were too impersonal overall. I hope that helps!
Response:
I just did the tour of LKC and I totally agree busing from the ceremony to the reception is kind of annoying!! How was the food at the hilton?? Did people say it was good?? we are going tonight to try dinner there but wondered how they do for a large group! Also where did you do your cocktail hour? thanks!
Response from the couple:
The food at the Hilton was great for us - we did our cocktail hour there (cheese tray plus three passed appetizers) with full bar, then had dinner in our tent. I quite enjoyed it - you should do a tasting so you can taste what their banquet food is like. Ours tasted just like it did at the tasting, so I highly recommend it! Good luck!
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