Venue Troubles

KCloth20

Alright I'm really frustrated at this point because we had decided on a venue- we loved it and were ready to sign the contract and I start reading it and first they require you use their caterers or you have to pay an additional fee (we already have a caterer at an amazing price and they're really good), but that was not too big of a deal so then I get to the complete deal breaker- they pretty much limit the decorations to what you can put on a table. No haninging anything. We want to drape fabric and hang paper lanterns- so I'm starting from square one and we want to be able to get married in February so I'm stressing out! Any suggestions would be appreciated! We were looking for a place under $2k with a vintage/rustic feel- but not country/hick in any way.

Thanks in advance

Jay&Marissa

What about Winfrey Point?

How big is your wedding?

Cross Timbers Winery might work well too

angelsong21

You're wanting to get married this February...as in 3.5 months away from now?  If so,  Winfrey Point is not only most likely booked (they usually book a year out) but it would also be soooo cold outside.

I don't know of anything right off-hand that fits your theme at the price you are looking for.  Hopefully some of the other ladies will chime in with their ideas as they are MUCH more familiar with venues than I am and will have some great suggestions for you.  All the ones I'm thinking of though either have an outdoor ceremony space (way too cold for February) or they don't fit the vibe you are going for.

GL -- I'm sorry the venue you loved didn't work out.

KCloth20

No our date is in April- I don't know why it still says Feb.. We're planning on about 60-80 people coming, Winfrey Point is one place we're looking but FH doesn't love how it looks from the outside, and it's going to be pretty expensive once you add renting/DIY everything because it's pretty much a blank slate. I guess I'm frustrated because I want to have money to save for a house and all those things once we start our life together and everything is just so expensive it's maxing me out financially. I want the wedding of my dreams, but the reality of paying for that sucks!

MarieSD

My go-to suggestions for your size guest list are usually having it at a restaurant (you usually have little to no rental fee, little to no DIY/setup, but at most places you do pay a premium for alcohol) or a community center (you can bring in your own caterer but most do not allow you to bring in alcohol).

I also like Times Ten Cellar -- I know their rental fee is affordable, they allow you to bring in your own caterer; you just have to serve their wine.

professorscience

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:ccc9e7bf-70fa-41d6-9e78-a46af4452cab">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]My go-to suggestions for your size guest list are usually having it at a restaurant (you usually have little to no rental fee, little to no DIY/setup, but at most places you do pay a premium for alcohol) or a community center (you can bring in your own caterer but most do not allow you to bring in alcohol). <strong>I also like Times Ten Cellar -- I know their rental fee is affordable, they allow you to bring in your own caterer; you just have to serve their wine.
</strong>Posted by MarieSD[/QUOTE]

I can't remember what my ILs paid for our rehearsal dinner, but it was wonderful.  And they give you a discount on the wine if you use one of their preferred caterers, but you can bring in anyone you like.

aeliza06

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:ccc9e7bf-70fa-41d6-9e78-a46af4452cab">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]My go-to suggestions for your size guest list are usually <strong>having it at a restaurant</strong> (you usually have little to no rental fee, little to no DIY/setup, but at most places you do pay a premium for alcohol) or a community center (you can bring in your own caterer but most do not allow you to bring in alcohol). I also like Times Ten Cellar -- I know their rental fee is affordable, they allow you to bring in your own caterer; you just have to serve their wine.
Posted by MarieSD[/QUOTE]

<div>I am having mine at the Downtown Dallas McKinney Street location of El Fenix- on their rooftop (separate from the actual restaurant). It is exactly this- no rental fee, no setup costs, ipod hookup included, tables/chairs/linens included. Food starts out at 11.95/person, and 10.95/person for 3 hours unlimited consumption of alcohol. Many people use this as a rehearsal dinner location, but if you have a smaller sized wedding, it will work. <a href="http://elfenix.com/library/pdf/El-Fenix-VIP-Fiesta-Room-Menu.pdf">http://elfenix.com/library/pdf/El-Fenix-VIP-Fiesta-Room-Menu.pdf</a>

I also second Cross Timbers Winery, La Buena Vida in Grapevine and Times Ten Cellars. </div><div>
</div><div>In the Dallas area, you might also try Matito's in Uptown or Iron Cactus (though when I tried reaching them- no one would get back to me- maybe it was just busy though?). If you're okay with Fort Worth- Joe T Garcia's and Reatta are two restaurants that come to mind. Also, I believe someoneon here had their reception at Maggiano's and loved it.</div>

aeliza06

If only I could read- I just saw you have your own caterer. 

Check out: 
Heard natural Science Museum Science Resource Center- 1200$ rental full day Sat/ 1000$ Fri/Sun. Incl. Tables/Chairs/Kitchen/AV Hookups

Dallas Heritage Village- http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/pdfs/DHV-Rental-Brochure.pdf

Red Oak Municipal Center: http://www.redoaktx.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/rooms%20new-%201.JPG 375$ for 8 hours includes tables/chairs. $250 extra for Dance Floor. 

Colleyville Community Center: http://www.colleyville.com/colleyvillecenter.html

fallbride1109

Avanti at Fountain Place is also nice for a smaller wedding--although I have no idea what they charge or if you can bring in your own caterer.  It might be worth a look though along with the other suggestions here.  A Knottie some years ago got married at Ferrari's Italian Villa in Addison (although that wouldn't work since you have catering I guess).

aeliza06

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:24ba0361-f0a4-44f3-9754-94d7a8192f27">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]Avanti at Fountain Place is also nice for a smaller wedding--although I have no idea what they charge or if you can bring in your own caterer.  It might be worth a look though along with the other suggestions here.  A Knottie some years ago got married at Ferrari's Italian Villa in Addison (although that wouldn't work since you have catering I guess).
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]
Avanti Fountain Place is lovely! Unfortunately you do have to use their caterer though . :( 

winechic25

I second La Buena Vida (I got married there a month ago) and for a smaller size wedding, you could do it inexpensively, but I'm not sure what all you're thinking the $2,000 would include. That said, you do have to use one of their preferred caters, and the goes for Cross Timbers, which also has the same look and feel you're going for.

KCloth20

Aeliza- what is your backup plan if it rains? The rooftop thing sounds cool, and that's pretty much what we're paying for our catering, I'm just thinking it'd suck if it was rainy

aeliza06

The venue has an inside room (adjacent to the rooftop terrace) that fits 120 people. For rain, we have two options- 1. rent a tent large enough for the dancing outside (since my guest list is larger than yours)  2. keep everything inside the room. My thoughts are- in Texas it *usually* doesn't rain for hours on end. That being said, I probably just jinxed myself. I really want to utilize the outside space, so I think we will get a tent if it ends up raining. If you have a guest list that is smaller, as you said, 60-80 people, you would have enough room in the room for tables and a dance floor- the outside space could just be bonus space.

professorscience

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:a66504d2-46c0-48c0-952a-ad3e3854c1a6">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]The venue has an inside room (adjacent to the rooftop terrace) that fits 120 people. For rain, we have two options- 1. rent a tent large enough for the dancing outside (since my guest list is larger than yours)  2. keep everything inside the room. My thoughts are- in Texas it *usually* doesn't rain for hours on end. That being said, I probably just jinxed myself. I really want to utilize the outside space, so I think we will get a tent if it ends up raining. If you have a guest list that is smaller, as you said, 60-80 people, you would have enough room in the room for tables and a dance floor- the outside space could just be bonus space.
Posted by aeliza06[/QUOTE]

Do you listen to Kidd Kraddick?  Did you hear them describing the torrential downpour that actually ended up flooding the only road to and from the venue they were at for a wedding?  It was hysterical.

aeliza06

hahaha I didn't hear that! But I could imagine that happening to me now. FI will probably get mad at me and blame our misfortune on this post. I can see him now "You had to say it, didn't you?". Yup  

hthrlarson9

just tell them that you don't like their vendors and see if you can use your own.

professorscience

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:89a31622-aeab-4e5c-9293-d5493275a793">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]just tell them that you don't like their vendors and see if you can use your own.
Posted by hthrlarson9[/QUOTE]

I'm going to just guess that this won't go over well and is bad advice.

aeliza06

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:8c64b4e3-13de-4727-b0df-5496927c24ff">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Venue Troubles : I'm going to just guess that this won't go over well and is bad advice.
Posted by professorscience[/QUOTE]
*thumbs up* 

winechic25

@aeliza06 --> so want to have a party or find some reason now to use the rooftop of El Fenix after all this talk...total awesomeness!

aeliza06

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:45a4d120-5241-40b7-b4fe-e562c19e29ba">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]@aeliza06 -- /> so want to have a party or find some reason now to use the rooftop of El Fenix after all this talk...total awesomeness!
Posted by winechic25[/QUOTE]
Haha- Cinco de Mayo? I know I talk about it ALL the time- I just searched for a venue high and low on a teeny tiny budget and this was really the best value I could find that wasn't in BFE. 

winechic25

One of my good friends had her rehearsal dinner there in April, so I'll be excited to see your pics and how it turns out for a wedding, yay!

KCloth20

Thanks so much for your help! We're still trying to decide but I love getting new opinions- My BMs are so not into the wedding at all and have been no help or supportive in any way!

aeliza06

Well we are a really helpful bunch and most of the girls on here are already married and give FANTASTIC advise. Let us know- and make sure you read the fine print beforehand. And always get signed copies of EVERYTHING. (I had to go through this recently with a vendor- bad news bears. If they sign it, they are liable. end of story.)

professorscience

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-troubles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:056c5336-0a4a-4f09-8946-7c101decb2ebPost:0be43e5e-56f7-4b0a-bb63-f86facba4ee1">Re: Venue Troubles</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks so much for your help! We're still trying to decide but I love getting new opinions- <strong>My BMs are so not into the wedding at all and have been no help or supportive in any way!</strong>
Posted by KCloth20[/QUOTE]

<div>So, I know this is going to sound bad, but <strong>you</strong> are the one getting married.  My bridesmaids were super excited about my wedding, but they had their own lives to deal with.  Try not to take their seemingly unexcited attitudes too personally.  When the time comes, they will be 100% all about you. </div>

prlmrg08

Im not sure if Fort Worth would be an option for you, but check out 809 at Vickery. They just opened a back warehouse addition that is very cool and they will allow you to decorate as you wish. 

Also in Plano check out Event 1013. Very cool space.

Both allow outside catering