venues. ugh. help.

Stabward

We are looking for a venue that will 1. allow us to bring our own catering (or at least not force us to have a crap ton of staff that we really don't want/need) 2. is under or very close to $1500 to rent and 3. has a goth-y type feel to it. We are really wanting something with exposed brick, exposed beams, metal, all that jazz.
We have already looked at Smith Bros (which I really love) but they are forcing us into 2k worth of staff that we really don't want or need. We have also looked at BoMA (I guess it's called the Bluestone now) which was just way too expensive in general.
We are also looking at North Bank Park, but it's booked on our date. We might just be forced into changing our date and going with North Bank if we can't find something else we love
Can anyone help point me in a direction?

KellyRVT

The Clintonville Women's Club might work. It's not really goth, but it's definitely got a vintage feel that you could dress up. They offer white or black linens and there are exposed wood beams and hardwood floors. You have to use their caterers but they are very reasonable. No rental fee for the facility, and best of all you get to bring in your own alcohol. We are having our wedding there in October. 

With the money you save renting this place you can really decorate the hell out of it. 

I totally understand how you feel about the unnecessary charges. We looked at 10 venues and were blown away by the absurd cost of all of them. I think the Taylor Mansion was the worst of all. Not only did we not like the venue once we got there, but they nickel and dime you to death for everything. Right down to the last tea light candle. 

Stabward

Yes! Omg Taylor Mansion was horrible! The original price we got wasn't TOOOO terrible, but then once we got a proposal from them we found out they charge for everything. I'm surprised they weren't going to charge us for every timy anyone used the bathroom!
And thanks! I will look up the Clintonville Women's Club

sbzw8704

The Olde Gahanna Sanctuary, I think will be within your budget. You can bring your own catering and it is very nice and kinda gothy. It looks much nicer in person than it does on the website.

krayzeechick05

Grand Valley Dale Ballroom...its around your budget for renting, the only require you purchase beverages from them.  It doesn't have a gothy feel but it has an old Frank Sinatra feel.  Don't let the outside of the building fool you, the inside really is pretty.

sep72fendr

What about the Athenaeum? Depending on your guest list size, they have some older style rooms....

Random: The Funny Bone at Easton you can rent out! It kind of has that dark gothy feel to it. Might be interesting to check out?

osumegs

Ooh, good call on The Athenaeum. We went to a wedding there and some of the other rooms we saw had a "gothy" feel to them. Very old style architecture. I think they allow you to bring your own alcohol as well.

Stabward

I had no idea you could rent out The Funnybone! That's awesome!
Thank you soooo much guys I will check out all of those places

Stabward

Ohh looking at the pictures I'm now realizing I had my high school prom at the Valleydale Ballroom. That place is super pretty inside

KellyRVT

The Athenaeum really nickle and dimes you too. Not to mention parking is a nightmare if there are other events going on at the same time. 

Swim and Racquet Club is only a $500 rental and you can bring in your own caterer and alcohol. Not really goth, but it's definitely nice.

jdubs515

There's a new winery in the Brewery District called Via Vecchia that has a darker feel with all exposed brick.  My FI & I looked at it & loved the look & feel of it but ended up going a different route.

MelissaKC

Check out Greystone Wine Cellar. I don't believe they allow you to have your own caterer, but they're more than willing to work with you on the number of staff, and they have packages for pretty much every budget

erikadiehl

Check out the Delaware County Cultural Arts Center-- not sure of price or size but it is an old castle looking building in downtown Delaware. Maybe cheaper to go outside of Columbus too. Its a really neat looking building.

http://www.artscastle.org/

To inquire about hosting special events at The Arts Castle, contact Kathy Cope at 740.369.ARTS (2787) 

Hope that helps!!!

jaymiemarie

Just saw about Via Vecchia!
1. It is GORGEOUS
2. You will not find better customer service/friendship there...they are SO NICE and prompt and just a pleasure to work with.
3. They DO have a caterer you need to use, but he is just as amazing to work with. Catering by Scott is the caterer, and Scott is so much more than a caterer. He knows EVERY aspect of weddings and always says, "I treat every bride like it was my daughter." But he also SHOWS this through actions.

OK...so....I AM having my wedding here, but I am so happy about it and have had nothing but good experiences and after hearing some yucko stories from other brides, I feel like every bride should feel like I have felt working with these people. Highly, highly recommend.

TheBeckmeister

You could also try Walters Commons at St. Charles - I think the rent is a little over your budget, but you can bring in your alcohol and caterer (though I think there is a preferred caterer list).  The room itself is pretty huge and 2 of the walls are the brick exterior of the school that they closed in to make the commons area.  

Here's a link to an album of pictures taken at Walters Commons: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=sselhorst&cuname=sselhorst&psc=F&tags=Walters+Commons#

Hope that helps!

lo99

We had our wedding at Walter Commons at St. Charles and loved it.  It is more than $1500, I think closer to $3,500, but the caterers are reasonably priced and you can bring in your own alcohol.  Two walls are the light tan brick and one of the walls is floor to ceiling windows, so it has a bit of an outdoor feel to it.  Here's another pic:

http://www.capital-style.com/live/foundation/slideshow.jsp?file=/issue/stories/bride/your-weddings/2011/01/kelso.html&image=8&adsec=issue&tot=11&sid=119

dietzcm

Does walter commons at st. charles provide the tables and chairs? I heard the price for there is 2,800.