Desperately searching for a venue!

jerrymarry

Being a procrastinator, I figured since I was planning a small wedding, I didn't need to start wedding planning right away. Now, about 5 months until the date we picked, I STILL don't have a venue for our wedding. The only things I DO have are my dress and our preferred wedding date. So please help!

We'd like to get married October 9th and have our ceremony and the reception at the same place. Preferably outside, but with a building of some sort in case of bad weather. We have about $3000 to spend on everything (the place itself, food, etc etc), so it has to be a cheaper place. We would likely be having under 60 guests coming.

We've already looked into the Bird's Nest in Melissa and didn't like it. I hear Winfrey Point books quickly, even though I would just love to have it there. I called Providence Place in Rockwall and they haven't returned my calls. I've researched just about every single venue under the sun and can't find anything to our liking or that fits our budget, so I'd appreciate any and all suggestions!!

(Also, I realize that I may just have to postpone the wedding until next year if I have to, and that's fine with me. I just would prefer to get married this year, if at all possible.)

bsn1752

I just posted this up under another post... but there's a place in colleyville that holds all-inclusive, small weddings... and their biggest package is 3500.  You should check it out... I have only looked at the website, but it seems like a good deal.

www.weddingsincolleyville.com

Hope it helps!

rednesss

Check out the Richardson Woman's Club, http://www.richardsonwomansclub.com/rental_facilities/clubhouse/

The Clubhouse is definately do-able for what you are looking at spending. They include tables, chairs, glassware, dinnerware, and place settings. The only thing you won't see listed is $2/chair for outside ceremony. They have several really great caterers that will work with your budget. The Business Manager is who you'll inquire with and she's helpful to find one that will work within your means. And bonus since your guest list is under 75 you won't have to pay for a police officer.

With that said, I know we looked at dates between mid Aug and Oct 9 this year, and they are pretty full. I think we got the last Sept date. But you may consider friday.

Best of Luck!!!

rednesss

I also wanted to add, they start the '4 hours' at the time you want your ceremony to begin. They add an additional 2 hours for decorating prior to that and 1 hour after the 4, for clean up, at no additional charge. The 4 hours is literally ceremony and reception time. Oh, you do have to provide your own table linens though.

I'm so excited we'll be having our wedding there! They have been really great to work with so far. Our budget isn't much larger than yours, but our guest list is 4x as large, so they are a life saver to me!

Donnaaries

In your case I'd seriously consider a restaurant venue so you don't have to pay a facility fee in addition to food.  Also, having it at a restaurant means you don't need to rent chairs, linens, china.  Plus most restaurants are already nicely decorated so you don't have to spend as much on decor. 

I have suggested Ferrari's in the past, and I think a knottie actually ended up using them recently.  Their multi course private event menus start at $45pp including dessert.  The Piazza Patio fits 30-90 pp.  http://www.ferrarisrestaurant.com/

Also one place I loved (but my guest list was too big for) is Garden Cafe in East Dallas: http://www.gardencafe.net/Weddings.html

juliebug1997

We used Maggiano's and paid about $8000 for 100ish guests.  The food was great and we had a wonderful experience.  However, you can't be married outside there so you would need to find a place for your ceremony I would think.  For that money, we got two appetizers, two salads, two pasta dishes, two meat dishes, two desserts and most of the cost of the wedding cake.  We saved $3 a person by eliminating the desserts--Elaine at North Park though did throw in the lemon cookies.  We used that $3 to go towards beef tenderloin which was $4 a person.  It also included an open bar AND a champagne toast.

Try the Village Country Club.  They have an outside spot for weddings and their food and beverage minimum was pretty low.  What got us was when we started looking at alcohol--it was adding up fast.  Plus, the servers would only wear polos and pants.  You can pay a little more for them to dress a little nicer but my mom was appalled and said absolutely not. 

awilkins78

Winfrey point books quickly, but since your wedding is smaller you could consider Big Thicket (also at white rock lake)

seujoanne

Look into III Forks on the Tollway - this was our other choice for a reception site.  There is no facility rental and they are only open at lunch for private parties.  They have an "outside" courtyard that is really enclosed but is beautiful and several rooms to choose from if you want a different area for your reception.  The event coordinator (I think her name was Sandy?) was very helpful and the prices were extremely reasonable. 

ChocolateDelight

I second Maggiano's.  One of my friends had a reception at the one in Willow Bend.  I think the guest list was around 50 people.

tam427

A friend got married at Wildwood Inn & Denton and they have all-inclusive packages.

stupid&lucky

If you are remotely interested in Fort Worth, check http://www.anglinoccasions.com/

My daughters' wedding is going to be there on 10/10/10 and Kris has been wonderful to work with.  It's not a "glamorous" place, rather homey, but nevertheless, we liked it and the price was reasonable.  Check the website for pictures and more information, sounds like for the number of people you are having, it might be right up your alley!  

Of course since we've not yet had the wedding I can't give a recommendation, except that Kris if very nice and has been easy to work with.

RachelRo

Rockwall Wedding Chapel

http://www.rockwallchapel.com/index.php