First, my apologies for not posting for a really long time! If you are a mom with a very energetic son, you will definitely understand, hahaha!
Aidan has been very active (typical 2 yr old). If I may say, my son never learned to walk, he ran! He runs in the sala, he runs in the bedroom, he runs in our compound. So now you know.
So much of my intro. Going back to topic, I had a lot of inquiries (from friends, from Husband’s friends, from relatives, etc.) on how much we have spent on Aidan’s first birthday. A lot were impressed that I have kept it in the 50-60k amount, considering that we had a magician, lots of game prizes, loot bags and food carts.
You see, I love planning. Planning our wedding was one of the best times of my life so it was not put to rest on planning our son’s first birthday bash. I love researching, inquiring, and learning when it comes to planning celebrations that I am usually the go-to person when it comes to events by people close to me.
So for this past event, I have inquired a lot of party packages. First, I set my requirements. And they are:
1) Free place rental or below 5k venue rental – As my budget was set to 50k, I need to find a place that includes the venue. Initially I tried looking for an events place within QC that has a lower than 10k rental but I failed, most of them are price 15k above and I cannot waste that amount of money just for the venue. I might as well spend that on food.
2) Near my place – I was willing to expand my search up to Pasig only and it has to be near EDSA as we are from North and most of my guests are from South or somewhere in Manila.
3) Affordable package – Has to be around 300/head.
FYI, I scrapped adding McDonald’s and Jollibee here, as I find (my personal opinion, note that) their food to be too common to invite people to be there. Families can eat there anytime so my thinking is why should I invite people who lived far to eat their usual meals? No offense ha, but that is just my stand. J
So, if my requirements met yours, here are my current list:
1) Prestige Tower Ortigas
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(Image from http://storiesofafirst-time-mom.blogspot.hk/2011/10/party-venues.html)
Contact Info: http://cateringtrio.com/chowunlimited.html
Prestige Tower Deck,,F. Ortigas, Jr. Road (formerly Emerald Ave.), Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Telephone No.: 910-6361
Contact Person: Shalou Jalandoni
Why we did not get this place: I cannot seem to remove the fact in mind that someone had her suicide on this building. But that is just me. Don’t mind me.
2) Kenny Rogers Quezon Ave. branch
Contact info: Quezon Ave. cor. Scout Albano St., Brgy South Triangle, Quezon City
Why we did not get this place: I was able to attend a party here with my niece. They have their parties sa 2nd floor. But, they can only accommodate 70pax, my target was 100pax.
3) Ristorante Big Oli, Eastwood
image from http://www.lynne-enroute.com
image from http://www.lynne-enroute.com
Contact info: Eastwood Cityalk 1, Libis, Quezon City
Why we did not get this place : The traffic in Eastwood in December made me think twice.
4) Don Henrico’s West Ave. branch
Contact info: http://www.donhenricos.net/
West Avenue cor. Examiner St., Quezon City
Why we did not get this place: This was actually our first choice, as my family loves their buffalo wings. Howecer, they will still be renovating on our chosen date.
And the winner is:
5) Shakey’s Quezon Ave. branch
Contact info : http://www.shakeyspizza.ph/
Lot 3 Blk. W-39-E Quezon Ave. corner Abad Santos St Brgy. Sta. Cruz Heroes Hills Quezon City
Why we got this place:
Price : Made our budget (Just meet the 15k amount and you will have a free venue)
Location : Easy access from EDSA, West Ave and Quezon Ave. So that covered North, West and South!They have 3 function rooms that can accomodate 150pax or more I think. Corkage was pretty steep BUT since my venue is free, that is negligible to me as I only have 2 carts.
And you don't usually eat at Shakeys, right? :)
