Venue Suggestions? Negotiating?

Claireheartsyou

Hi everyone, Sorry about the multiple posts about venues. I am having the most difficult trying to find a place. I really love Mercury Hall but my fiance wants to look at other options. I'm getting so frustrated and would really like everyone's help. Also has anyone tried negotiating prices with their venues? Any luck and any suggestions with that? Here are a few parameters for our venue: 1. No more than 3,000 - this is minus rentals cost. 2. No more than 45 minutes outside of Austin 3. Our wedding is in July so the less seating we have to do outside, the better 4. 150 guest list 5. outside vendors is a plus 6. Rustic (i LOVE Old Glory Ranch but they are out of my price range) Here are some of the places we've looked at that had cons: 1. Lady Bird Johnson - no alcohol allowed 2. Allen House - they said their max is 100 people 3. Barr Mansion - seemed a bit pricey and I wouldn't be able to save much since they do not allow me to bring vendors 4. Vista West Ranch - they recently increased their price by 1,000$ so they are now priced at $3,500 5. Star Hill Ranch - we'd have to rent out Fitzhugh Building and that would go way over budget ... With all that being said, if there isn't much else in Austin, that would be a great answer because I can tell my fiance that we can stop looking and finally move on!!

lynnyrd80

I don't know about negotiating, but as far as venue you should look at, try Texas Old Town.  It's in Kyle, so it's a little out of Austin, but not too bad.   One of my good friends had her wedding there at the beginning of August and it had a great Rustic without going too far look.  I think they have three different sized halls.  I think my friend got the middle sized one and she had about 160 guests all seated inside with room for a dance floor.  I had my wedding this July, and I know it was a weird summer, but I would definitely recommend only having inside.  We felt lucky to only have a high temp of 102 instead of the 107 it had been that week.

MnMShaw

If you like rustic then check out Reunion Ranch in Georgetown.  The 45 min might be the only con because depending on where you are coming from in Austin it may be more than 45 min.  But I know lots of knotties that live in Austin and got married in Georgetown so it's worth a shot.  Oh and go look at it yourself, don't just look at the pics on the website, because I did and almost didn't go out there but the pics don't do it justice!  PS: Old Glory Ranch was all my #1 pic but it was waaaaaaaaaay out of our price range and then I found Reunion Ranch.

reddie36

Venue was my most frustrating item to check off besides my dress. But once it's done everything else will start coming together. (i.e. - the frustration pays off!)I got 10% off with my venue for paying in full up front. You could ask if they will give a discount for that, and I know some places will give a discont for paying in cash/check rather than by credit card since they have to pay a fee for using the credit card. My other suggestion is to just be upfront with them (and any vendor) you encounter about your budget for that particular item. If they can come down usually they will. Last you could get a few different offers and then play them against each other - "With X we will get X for this amount, could you meet that price?" We have gotten an amount off photography this way as well as our DJ and a couple other things.Negotiating is a great way to save a few hundred dollars, and the worst they can say is no. Just remember they are providing a service which they deserve fair compensation for and don't owe you anything - I think a lot of people take the wrong road when they go to negotiate and make the venodr mad - that will not get you anywhere! Just be nice & upfront.

kelseymw

I'm just playing devil's advocate for Star Hill here :-) but... we have a guest list of almost 200 and we aren't using the Fitzhugh building. We're putting half our tables in side the school house, the other half on the deck. (Half the indoor space will be used for dancing.) I went to visit the venue in July and even at 3pm it wasn't hot on the deck. The area creates a nice breeze, and in the evening it obviously would be even cooler. (A Knottie had her wedding there this past June- refer to the vendor reviews post a bit further down the page- and she did her seating outdoors.)  Again, just playing devil's advocate because I think the venue is fabulous and I'm all for more Star Hill brides on here

bryansbridebri

I am not using this venue - but went to a friends wedding there two weeks ago. Heritage Oaks Clubhouse in Georgetown. Rents for 100.00 per hour and is simply georgous. As soon as the word gets out about this place you won't be able to get an open date. My friends wedding was stunning!  Can bring in own alcohol, catering, they provide tables and chairs seats about 170. They have a website.

LauraUT07

I don't have anything to add about outdoor venues (I'm getting married in January at The Driskill), but I definitely think you can negotiate with vendors, particularly the reception venues.  It never hurts to ask.  I ended up getting our room rental fee reduced and the food and beverage minimum lowered quite a bit, which was nice.  I've also gotten discounts on our band and photographer.I don't know if it helps that we are getting married in January and I've been asking for 'off season' discounts, but everyone has been very nice and accomodating so far.Good luck with your search! Laura

laurie1518

hello! i wanted to let you know that the lady bird johnson wildflower center does allow alcohol.

Claireheartsyou

Thanks for the suggestions! ya'll are great! Laurie- hmmm that's interesting b/c one of the sheets the lady gave me said it does not allow alcohol. maybe i read itwrong and it said i wasn't allowed to bring my own but they do allow it. i'll double check onthat. kelsey - that's really good to know. now i'll definitely have to check them out.

laurie1518

i would call and talk to wade bohanon. he is the facility event manager. i am getting married there and they are allowing us to have alcohol. i even made sure we were allowed to have beer in bottles. his email is wbohanon@wildflower.org. let me know if they tell you different.

somethingsweeting

I'm going to second Star Hill Ranch (of course ) but add that Texas Old Town is great for a big group all indoors. It's very rustic, large, and very reasonably priced and the owners are really nice to work with. It's probably half an hour from Austin, includes tables and chairs, has indoor/outdoor options, and allows outside vendors. Might fit what you're looking for!As for negotiating, I think it's definitely do-able. You can get discounts for "less popular" weekends (Mercury Hall was offering one for ACL weekend, at half off). I actually got a decent discount because I booked Star Hill at the very last minute (read: 8 weeks before my date). If you're willing to do a date other than a Saturday, you can save some as well. Good luck!

sheaday

I'm getting married at Texas Old Town in Dec 2010. Since we're doing off season the price is super affordable for a Saturday and you get the venue from 8am-Midnight- def getting your money's worth! The manager Danny and his aunt (the whole place is family own and operated) are so easy to work with.I totally suggest contacting them.

emkay625

I visited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center when I was booking, and they definitely do allow alcohol, you just have to hire a liscensed bar tender to serve. (It's illegal not to, anyway.)

jfornairo

Kali-Kate-- can fit up to 300, rent is around $3000 but includes tables and chairs, and it's in Buda... 30 minutes from downtown Austin.  It's total rustic elegance.

laura1082

Ok I talked to my friend about the place she had hers at http://www.senderoevents.com/It holds up to 1000 people, huge. Nice outside in the back, grand staircase, bridal dressing room, the biggest porch with tables and chairs i have ever seen, big stage, rock colomns, bring your own vendors if you want too, about 30 mins by tollroad/highway from downtown Austin, simple to find...For her 150 people it was $3100, but it included tables, chairs, bartenders and included wedding coordinatorwho was awesome, I think her name was Kacie or Lola..something like that.