Sunday, July 19, 2009

JEL's 1st Birthday Party Preps Update: Venue Hunting

We accidentally started planning for JEL's 1st birthday last May. We just saw a party planner booth in SM Molino. We got a copy of their packages last May 23 and that's how it started.

I found their packages expensive. So I searched the web for other suppliers and while surfing the net, I got into the Smart Parenting and Girl's Talk forums. I learned a lot from them that it had been my hobby to checked these forums every night.

By the way, here are the places we've been in search for the right venue for JEL's 1st Birthday:

1. Avignon - It seems the guard didn't understand us. I think we also didn't understand him. We've asked for the clubhouse and he said it was already sold. Now, I realize that he might thought that we are looking for an open house. Nevertheless, we will not go back there, the place will not be accessible for our guest coming from Pasig and QC.

2. Camella in Molino Clubhouse - We didn't take a look at it. By the look inside our car,we don't like it already.

3. AMICI Clubhouse inside Camella - Covered but not air conditioned venue. Too Small for the # of guests we're expecting.

4. Big Red Barn Alabang - The Place is nice and for really for kids but I find their packages expensive. I also don't think that it will be worth for a 1st birthday. Our baby will not be enjoying the play area yet.

5. Congo Grille Alabang - Parties are held on their 2nd floor. It's nice for a Jungle Theme party. They can customize their packages. They also have reasonable prices. However, I am not satisfied with their customer service. I was able to compare it with the comment from GT about Congo Grille El Pueblo.

6. Jollibee in Madrigal Alabang - Large Party Area but hubby doesn't want a short party time (2hrs). They also don't allow outside party host.

7. Dazo Hall in Philam Village Las Pinas - Big Party Area and have a reasonable rental fee. It can accommodate more than 200 PAX. No issue with parking. Friendly to the commuters but our guests are coming from Pasig and QC. This is quite far for them.

8. Storyland in SM Southmall - They have a party area that can accommodate 150PAX but party time is only up to 2hrs only. They have in-house party host and caterers but you can also get food from the FF inside SM.

9. Pixie Forest - We didn't inquire here but we've seen a party before in this venue. We saw another party in this place this morning and we are not comfortable with the place because the party venue is dark, noisy, small and has no privacy.

10. Fridays - They have kiddie birthday packages but we can't afford it. Hehe.

11. Orchard Golf and Country Club - They have in-house caterer and we also can't afford the prices of their menus both the buffet or sit-down. How I wish we can. But the downside is the accessibility to our guests.

12. Madrigal Center - I find the rental fee expensive for a non-A/C venue.

13. Max's near ATC - Hubby doesn't like the place.

14. Starmall - They have accredited caterers but can order from the FF inside starmall. They have reasonable birthday party packages.
a. Castle Area - Small. It can only accommodate max of 100pax.
b. Resort Area - Small and can only accommodate max of 120pax.
c. Function Room with A/C - It can accommodate 150pax but have low ceiling.
d. Function Area (Open sides, covered, no AC) - It has a capacity of 500pax but can rent half of the place only. Pictures of the place is seen here.

We wished to celebrate JEL's birthday in our clubhouse but it's small and can only accommodate 40-50pax. Currently, we are leaning towards the non-A/C function area in Starmall due to it's accessibility to our guests and their not so expensive venue rental fee. We are also not obliged to get their packages. The only downside is that they have accredited caterers and they charge corkage fee for outsourced food carts and party host.

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