Newbie!

mrssunshine2be

Hello all! I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking around here for way longer than I'd like to admit, but as of yesterday I'm finally engaged to my wonderful fiance! We've been together for almost six years and he'd been talking about getting a ring for months, and yesterday he popped the question )  We're hoping to get married at the beginning of August/end of July next year before I start law school. I am a little worried (and have been becoming increasingly paranoid over the last 36 hours) that we won't be able to find a place for our reception this close to the date. Venue is the one thing I know I'm going to be super picky about. 

We're probably going to end up with between 125-150 people, and I really don't like the country club/hotel ballroom feel. I want a place that's a blank slate. We really like the Towers and Linden Place, but I'm worried they'll be booked up already. I'm going to start calling around on Monday. Any suggestions for places with a similar feel? Thanks so much!

RoyalOrient

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_newbie-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:122Discussion:bc4b7022-9733-4f2d-ac8f-398bb13a46b2Post:bcdc3ea9-8f23-4731-abad-998d6a9e1f96">Newbie!</a>:
[QUOTE]Hello all! I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking around here for way longer than I'd like to admit, but as of yesterday I'm finally engaged to my wonderful fiance! We've been together for almost six years and he'd been talking about getting a ring for months, and yesterday he popped the question :o)  We're hoping to get married at the beginning of August/end of July next year before I start law school. I am a little worried (and have been becoming increasingly paranoid over the last 36 hours) that we won't be able to find a place for our reception this close to the date. Venue is the one thing I know I'm going to be super picky about.  We're probably going to end up with between 125-150 people, and I really don't like the country club/hotel ballroom feel. I want a place that's a blank slate. We really like the Towers and Linden Place, but I'm worried they'll be booked up already. I'm going to start calling around on Monday. Any suggestions for places with a similar feel? Thanks so much!
Posted by mrssunshine2be[/QUOTE]

Hi and welcome to the board. Congrats on your engagement too!

The Towers and Linden Place are both beautiful historical venues.  You might also want to check out Roger William Botanical garden or casino, Glen Manor and Blithewold mansion and gardens as some possible venues. Belle Mer is more modern but it does have a blank palette as well as the Easton Beach Rotunda ballroom (if you are going for a beachy feel). As for dates, most of these places do book quickly so I suggest you get in touch with the venues asap but don't worry too much because you have plenty of options. I will say that all the places I listed above does not provide onsite catering so you must bring your own. G.L with finding the perfect venue.

btw boards are usually quieter on the weekends so I am sure more knotties can give recs.  

Sharpbride

Hi there! I'm getting married at Linden Place this upcoming October. We looked at Kinney Bungalow and the Botanical Gardens. We were looking to invite about 140 people--Kinney Bungalow was a little too small for that.
You might want to try the Ocean House in Westerly. It would make a really nice summer wedding site.
Welcome and good luck!

mary106

Congrats and welcome!!! As Royal Orient suggested, looking into Roger Williams, it looks beautiful. I would have looked into it myself, but my wedding is more like 200-220 guests, so it would have been too small...Idk about your budget, but maybe look into the mansions in Newport? They must be pricey, but they would def be gorgeous, esp in the summer and you would bring in your own catering, linens, etc.  GL! And don't stress!

DansBride52911

congrats! for a real blank slate, there is the newport yachting center..did you check them out yet? you can do a lot with decor and uplighting. i would have also loved the towers :-)

good luck!

angiem33

Welcome and Congratulations!!  Where are you going to law school?  I am at Roger Williams, 3rd year this august whooo -hoooooooo!!

Check out the easton beach rotunda also, it is really a blank slate with an amazing view!  Also, don't be afraid of Fridays and Sundays a lot of great venues will still have these days open in July! 

mrssunshine2be

Thanks for all the responses! So far I've called the Towers (left a message, I've seen on here she's hard to get ahold of) and emailed Fort Adams and Bristol Harbor Inn. I'll definitely look into the Yachting Center and Easton Beach too! I don't think I could afford the mansions or Belle Mer, my budget is gonna be pretty tight. 

Angie, I'm not sure yet where I'm going, I'll be applying in October to start next September. I just got my LSAT score back two weeks ago, and I'm looking at BC and BU right now because FI (yay I actually get to say that) doesn't want to be too far away from family. 

eacosta1120

if you're on a tight budget and are worried about booking a venue this late, you might want to consider a friday/sunday or other non-peak day for a wedding (monday holiday maybe?). you can negotiate pricing more with vendors and youll pay less for rental fees etc. Good luck

jcorvese

Hi! Welcome!!
I am also recently engaged- its so exciting-- so congrats!

I actually met with a ton of vendors this weekend in newport, and a lot have tons of dates in July/Aug for 2011 on Fridays available- also they are offering to cut the costs.
So it is actually going to work to your advantage!

If you need a saturday that might be a little tricky.

If you do get a hold of the Towers- -send them my way, ive been calling for 3 weeks!

angiem33

Both great schools!  Keep RWU law in mind though - it might surprise you!! 

I am doing my ceremony at Fort Adams, the lady is very difficult to work with.  Just be warned!! The grounds are absolutely gorgeous though!!  They are quoting $3,500.00 for a four hour block for the reception.  Doesn't include the tent, tables, chairs, linens, silverware ect. ect. Good Luck and post whenever you have a question!!!