VENUE SHOPPING UPDATE!

chickadeedeedee

FI and I just got back from our first potential venue appointment. Since it was our very first stop on our list of potentials, I'm gonna run some figures by you ladies and you can tell me if I'm bat-spit crazy or not.

The gazebo rental is $650, and they require a $325 deposit. There is space for 500 guests on the lawn, and chair rental is $0.75 per chair, and we'll probably have somewhere in the vicinity of 150 guests. We also have the option of reserving the cute little church that I completely fell head over heels for when we saw it. If we just got the church as an in-case-it-rains option, it's an extra $200, but if we just reserve the church by itself, it's $650, but then we won't have to rent the chairs. As far as budget goes, we decided that we can do about $1000 for the ceremony venue, so either way we go, we'll be under budget.

The only issue I had was that when you come out the front entrance of the church, you get a really clear view of the highway and the prison, so that's lovely. The event coordinator said that in August and September, the leaves on the trees will be more full, so you won't be able to see those two things, but I really wasn't crazy about the highway/prison view. I'm not an overly picky person at all (if FI weren't involved, we'd be getting married in a courthouse in sweatshirts and jeans, haha), but come on. A prison? Really? Boo.

tafft1

Oh that's a bummer about rhe view - is there any other way around it ? Like another way to exit somehow ? It sounds decent to me overall , it's a tough call though because i know when you fall in love with a venue the last thing you want is some technicality to keep you away. It still sounds good to me and if you enjoy it go for it , of course you have options and time and soemtimes it can better to wait than to settle.

ekathleen684

Nothing says perfect wedding like men in orange jumpsuits.

As long as it's the exit and wouldn't be in the background of any of your photos I don't think it would be too big of a problem. Is it obvious that its a prison if you wouldn't know otherwise??

I'm useless in regards to cost...sorry.

chickadeedeedee

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_venue-shopping-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:0f86fa28-ff4b-4097-8eba-0817f563fbe0Post:ad3df3eb-851b-42b1-8809-26d72417e1d5">Re: VENUE SHOPPING UPDATE!</a>:
[QUOTE]Nothing says perfect wedding like men in orange jumpsuits. As long as it's the exit and wouldn't be in the background of any of your photos I don't think it would be too big of a problem. Is it obvious that its a prison if you wouldn't know otherwise?? I'm useless in regards to cost...sorry.
Posted by ekathleen684[/QUOTE]

<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/WisconsinStateReformatoryAllouezWatchtower2009.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/WisconsinStateReformatoryAllouezWatchtower2009.jpg</a> <- That's obviously way too up close, but this is what you see from about half a mile away when you're standing in front of the church in question.

loopy82

Have you thought about where you are having the reception?

As far as cost I can't be of much help. I'm having my reception and ceremony at the same place and am not being charged a ceremony fee.

tafft1

As for the cost portion - our venue we are reserving for a Sunday is 900.00 for ceremony and reception , so i am not much help either sadly. And since we are having the recption there too we aren't having to pay for all the items - chairs , linens , silverware , china , barware , etc are all included. That stuff can add up fast if you aren't careful. i know you adore the place but what i have learned in general is that there is always another option. When FI and I walked into our venue - we both just felt something hit. I was so emotional , for the first time i felt like a bride and i could envision myself there. And this place was no initially on our list - we were going to look at somehwere else in the city and this was a last minute scramble appointment.

I wouldn't just write this place off but definitely see what other options you have too , with this and other places. i hope you don't have to settle. i'm not sure how much time you have to plan so i understand if you can't just wait. Good luck

paintgirl

I think that chuch is way too awesome to give up! Can you get the pastor/officiant to make some joke about the reception "across the street, after a quick pat down"?

If you can make a joke out of it somehow, no one will care. You won't be spending much time outside, right? That church is so charming. I'm jealous!

ekathleen684

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_venue-shopping-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:0f86fa28-ff4b-4097-8eba-0817f563fbe0Post:4185a09e-827f-46d7-a677-0ad0664f0ec4">Re: VENUE SHOPPING UPDATE!</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that chuch is way too awesome to give up! Can you get the pastor/officiant to make some joke about the reception "across the street, after a quick pat down"? If you can make a joke out of it somehow, no one will care. You won't be spending much time outside, right? That church is so charming. I'm jealous!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]

I like this idea. Paint is right, it's too cute of a church to let something the a prison ruin it.

paintgirl

Ooo ooo or to avoid confusing people by joking that the reception is across the street, how about having the officiant say something about not picking up hitch hikers on the way to the reception? Most prisons have signs nearby about not picking up hitch hikers. Could be funny.