Need ideas please

DirtyWater

FI's mother does not like our choice of venue at the moment.  So to keep the peace we told her we'll look for another month.  If we don't find one that we like we're keeping our first choice.

At the moment we can only afford $40pp which would include meal and Hors D'Oeuvres.  Our guest list is 250+.  This maybe able to go down to 200 if we have to.  I'm ready to pull my hair out.  I'm tired of looking.

Any ideas in Southern NH.  Salem, Nashua, Derry, Manchester or Northern MA?

FireDancer04

What is your venue choice right now?

Fratello's in Manchester

Purtain Back Room in Manchester

Mile Away Restaurant in Milford

DirtyWater

Our choice right now is a hall that is run by a church close to the entire family.

She doesn't think it has "the wow factor or a view".  And we wont have pretty outside pictures.

Deep down I want the wow and the pretty pictures but the room is huge, its pretty and I wouldn't have to sacrifice the guest count to get that.

As for pretty pictures we can do a TTD and get that.

mariegra

Not sure if the location would work for you, but we're booked for the Shattuck Golf Club in Jaffrey.  (Inbetween Nashua & Keene in the Monadnock region--which is in the beautiful mountains).  It has a beautiful cathedral ballroom with high ceillings, (photos in my planning bio). 

If you DON'T have your ceremony there and only have your reception there---then you can get a 'Gold' package for about $42/pp for 200+ guests.  This includes buffet (or family style) dinner with choice 2 entrees, choice 3 h'orderves, 2 sides, salad, rolls, linens, cake cutting, cash bar, champagne/wine toast, onsite manager-DOC, glassware/plates, etc. 

(We have a smaller guest list--around 80-100), and are doing their Platinum package which includes having the ceremony there--so the price is a little more per person.

The coordinator there is Donna Benoit--(603) 878-2000; shattuckweddings.com

HTH

xoxpipahxox

Promises to Keep - Derry
Brookstone - Derry
Castleton - Windham
Fratello's - Manchester
Executive Court - Manchester

(Not entire sure of the prices of some of these, but these are what popped in my head)

mariegra

Another thought....Alpine Grove in Hollis is an older venue, but has a banquet facility that will hold 200+ guests and their prices are cheaper than most in the area.

dls.1215

Are you having the ceremony at the same place?  Or a different location.  We had considered a venue without outdoor space for pictures, our plan was to stop at a park between the ceremony and reception to do a few photos.  

cg-pm52111

Fratello's is a great option.
There's also Pat's Peak, which I know is very affordable.
GL!

litskispecialty

We had our wedding at an ourdoor venue (Cathedral of the Pines) which was BEAUTIFUL! We got tons of outdoor pics, then an indoor reception.

Do what makes YOU happy though, a wedding is not worth going into huge debt.

Shattuck is nice, we looked at that for our reception but only had 110 invited guests.  My friend got married at Castleton and I had my prom there 10 years ago.  They work with bigger groups, you can have your ceremony there outside (not a huge space though not sure if 200+ can fit) or at the very least get pics.  Not sure of the price though.

Is your FMIL helping you search for venues?  We purposely didn't tell anyone where we booked until a contract was signed because DH's brother got married at COP and we didn't want his mom throwing a fit that 2 people couldn't use the same venue.

GL!

litskispecialty

Also, a lot of venues don't have views in the room of the reception, at least every hotel wedding I've ever been too.  You might have to pay more for the view.  Shattuck has rooms with views, I believe Pat's Peak does too...

redsoxfan619

Executive Court in Manchester (they have really nice grounds for pics, and food prices include four course meal and hor d ouerves)

Candia Woods in Candia (looks nice, going to a wedding there this weekend, not 100% sure of prices)

Luv2Cook27

The Harris Pelham Inn in Pelham NH may be a a viable choice

http://harrispelhaminn.com/

dls.1215

Candia Woods is really nice and affordable, but only holds 135 max.

MrsR0511

The Castleon has the gorgeous views and landscaping (it's on a pond and has beautifully landscaped areas) and they are very reasonable. For chicken dishes they are $29.95pp plus appetizer costs and $36.95 for Prime Rib. Hope that helps! A previous post mentioned Promises To Keep- we looked there and they were more expensive

[Deleted User]

Check out some country clubs and hotels  - they're used to hosting large crowds and events, and can keep catering costs down for the most part.  Grounds are usually well maintained, too!

Nashua - Radisson, Crowne Plaza, Nashua Country Club, Sky Meadow

DirtyWater

Thank you girls!  FI said he is positive they will contribute something but he doesn't know what.  They haven't mentioned anything and we are not going to ask.  If they do it would be nice but if they don't then whatever, they helped us with our house when we first bought it. 

FI has been married once before so they feel funny inviting their family.  But as far as we're concerned we're going to invite everyone and if they feel like they don't want to go because they went to one 14 years ago then let them stay home.

We are trying too keep the entire wedding soup to nuts excluding the HM under $25,000.  We're paying for it ourselves.  With my parents saying they'll help but are unsure of what they can contribute so that's about all we can save ourselves.

Biotechick620

I responded to your post on the Boston board but completely forgot that the venue I'm using would fit what you're looking for (thanks for the reminder, YayBananas!).

Absolutely check out Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, NH.  Appetizer, salad, and entree can run ~$30-40.  The grounds are GORGEOUS and the ballroom would be a perfect fit for your guest size (they can accomodate up to 275 people).  Lynn, their coordinator has been fabulous!!

mariegra

FYI--we checked prices at Promises to Keep and also at the Crowne Plaza, (Nashua) Raddison, Marriot, Sky Meadow, etc. and most of them were pretty expensive--$60-$85 per person, but they throw in some nice package deals--particularly at the Crowne Plaza.  More expensive for a Saturday wedding, so if your date is flexible and you can do a Friday or Sunday, that would save you some $$. 

Also, there is a bridal show at Sky Meadow in Nashua on 10/19 at 6 pm if you wanted to check out their venue.  HTH.