So here begins the postings of our process. I have already been researching for the past 2 months…well, almost two months. I am pretty sure we have decided on a venue for the reception. It was by far one of the cheapest options here in San Pedro, CA and it has a lovely view. We didn’t have a long list of wants, just an approximate number cap, space, and what can give us the most for our money. It has always seemed ideal to have the wedding ceremony and reception in the new city we have begun to love. San Pedro, from what I’ve heard, has and/or has had a negative connotation. I for one cannot call myself a true Californian; therefore my opinions on these matters are all hearsay. Like any other city, San Pedro has its rough parts, but it has so many beautiful spots. Now I will say that I have looked in many places around the area, but nothing has compared to our choice. From my research and approximations, this is what I found (take into consideration that I am approximating the number for 150 guests):
Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel – San Pedro, CA
- $14,000 including reception and ceremony site, buffet, estimated tax & gratuity, tables, chairs, choice of linens, cake, dance floor, mirrored tile & two votive candles per table, hotel self-parking for guest, complimentary suite for bride & groom, champagne/cider toast, lights and fancy draping for head table and cake table, and my estimated $1500-$2000 cap for hosted bar (seems nice, don’t like the price, venue doesn’t seem to fit our personality)
Occasions – El Segundo, CA
- $13,500 including reception and ceremony site, buffet, tables, chairs, basic linens, estimated tax & gratuity, and unlimited soda/juices/water/coffee; I would have to pay an additional $2/person for cake cutting fee; need to provide own alcohol (no corkage fee) (eh…not impressed)
Sepulveda Home – San Pedro, CA
- $7500 including food, estimated tax & gratuity for food, and a small staff for 6 hours. Does not include event package price or drinks (I say, if you desire a plantation style home for your wedding, then this is the place….beautiful, but out of our budget reach)
The Plaza at
- $1899 plus $500 refundable deposit including facility cost for reception (8am-12am rental – there’s a kitchen on the premises). I would need to provide everything else – caterer, tables, chairs, dance floor, table linens, alcohol, etc. You get the picture. (If you have a great/cheap caterer in mind or want to have a pot luck wedding or such, then this is a great location…right by the water).
- $18,700 including 4 hr site rental, 3 traypassed or stationary Hors d’oeuvres, 2 entrees, 4 hr hosted beer/wine/soft drinks/juice bar, champagne/sparkling cider toast, 3 tier wedding cake, customized floor layout, votive candles, disc jockey, tables/chairs, floor length linens, gift & cake table, check-in table, valet parking, staff, event manager, ceremony rehearsal, and estimated tax/gratuity. (looks like a beautiful place, but way over our budget, especially considering the amount of time you get).
Ports O’ Call Restaurant – San Pedro, CA
- $10,705 including site, tables/chairs, linen choice, complete set-up, cake, 3 hrs of hosted well bar, unlimited coffee/tea/punch, champagne toast, parking, and estimated tax/gratuity (pretty…right on water/harbor)
Los Verdes Golf Course – Palos Verdes, CA (I think?)
- $14,012 including site, tables/chairs, food, estimated tax/gratuity, 3 hr hosted soft bar, unlimited punch/coffee/tea, cake, reception set-up with choice of linens, parking (eh?)
Dalmatian American Club of San Pedro – San Pedro, CA
- $8000 including 6 hr hall rental, security, the setup/cleanup fee, evening rental deposit, buffet, coffee, and tables/chairs (I believe?). Still would need to put in for drinks and alcohol. (Doesn’t seem worth it.)
- $1500 including site rental fee for 8 hours and tables/chairs. 150 people is pushing the limit for this place and you need to provide your own caterer (approved by them)
Harbor Masonic Lodge – San Pedro, CA
- $6000 including 6 hrs of reception time, 2 hrs of set-up time, 1 hr for clean-up, round banquet tables, chairs, complete bar set-up (no host), linen table clothes (wht or ivory), linen napkins (your choice of color), white china/glassware, buffet, fruit punch/tea/coffee, 4 hrs of hosted soft bar (wines, imported & domestic beers, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee), cake cutting/serving, and staff. (We were highly considering this place. It has a decent view of the
Well, this is our list so far. I have a few more places, but these are the only ones I bothered calculating. Others were way over our price range (as a few of the ones I posted are as well). We don’t know exactly how many guests we will have – 150 is a tad to high, even though I based my numbers off of it…you never know, but we do know that we have many friends and families we want to invite, yet many that we cannot.
It can be such a tiring process finding a reception venue, but it can be fun too. Now we just need to hone in on finding a ceremony spot. We got some places in mind, but are a little undecided over renting chairs for a 15-20 minute ceremony or not. This seems to be a hot topic for many, but it doesn’t get us any closer to our decision.
Well, like I said...we love it here, and therefore are working hard at keeping the wedding in our new love, San Pedro.
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