Overwhelmed!

DaniBethG

And I've barely gotten ANYWHERE in my planning!

FI and I have tried looking at many different venues, but we can't seem to find a venue that is beautiful but doesn't cost an arm and a leg (and quite possibly our first born child).  We LOVED the YWCA in downtown Fort Worth, but with the cost of renting the venue plus the cost of bringing in everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) it will still be too much for us and our families.  The rental cost for a Friday wedding is $2300....which is SUPER cheap in the wedding world, but that is still stretching it!

We live in the Keller/Roanoke area, and there are a very limited number of venues in our area within our budget.  All our family is from out-of-state, so hotel location is important too.  We all know how unpredictable Texas weather is, and I honestly don't want to take the chance.  Example: my FSIL got married in April 2007 and it SNOWED on her wedding day!  We don't want an outdoor wedding for this very reason: we don't trust the weather here!  FFIL is really pushing hard for a JOP ceremony, but I don't want that!  I worked at David's Bridal for almost 2 years: there's no way I'm having some kind of ceremony that involves a courthouse!

  We're planning a November 2012 wedding, and the more I try to think about where we're getting married the more frustrated and discouraged I get!  Do any of you know of an affordable venue that doesn't look "low-cost?"  

HELP!

crash2729

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_overwhelmed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:4dbfff22-a381-4f0d-b1e8-7c3b47cfb719Post:af164c54-0f60-4886-8ff0-a7889c1d46a5">Overwhelmed!</a>:
[QUOTE]And I've barely gotten ANYWHERE in my planning! FI and I have tried looking at many different venues, but we can't seem to find a venue that is beautiful but doesn't cost an arm and a leg (and quite possibly our first born child).  We LOVED the YWCA in downtown Fort Worth, but with the cost of renting the venue plus the cost of bringing in everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) it will still be too much for us and our families.  The rental cost for a Friday wedding is $2300....which is SUPER cheap in the wedding world, but that is still stretching it! We live in the Keller/Roanoke area, and there are a very limited number of venues in our area within our budget.  All our family is from out-of-state, so hotel location is important too.  We all know how unpredictable Texas weather is, and I honestly don't want to take the chance.  Example: my FSIL got married in April 2007 and it SNOWED on her wedding day!  We don't want an outdoor wedding for this very reason: we don't trust the weather here!  FFIL is really pushing hard for a JOP ceremony, but I don't want that! <strong> I worked at David's Bridal for almost 2 years: there's no way I'm not having some kind of ceremony that doesn't involve a courthouse!  </strong> We're planning a November 2012 wedding, and the more I try to think about where we're getting married the more frustrated and discouraged I get!  Do any of you know of an affordable venue that doesn't look "low-cost?"   HELP!
Posted by DaniBethG[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>You should check the vendor sticky at the top there's lost of rec's for vendors.</div><div>
</div><div>Secondly, Maybe it's just me but the bolded part made my head spin, I think you just said you're not having a ceremony that doesn't involve a courthouse..but I don't think that's what you meant to say..right? </div><div>Seriously..Head spinning..no joke. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />

</div>

DaniBethG

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_overwhelmed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:4dbfff22-a381-4f0d-b1e8-7c3b47cfb719Post:f0f97c8d-b9f9-459b-9880-deb45203b343">Re: Overwhelmed!</a>:
[QUOTE]ISecondly, Maybe it's just me but the bolded part made my head spin, I think you just said you're not having a ceremony that doesn't involve a courthouse..but I don't think that's what you meant to say..right?  Seriously..Head spinning..no joke. 
Posted by crash2729[/QUOTE]

I just realized I typed that!!  UGH!  That's how much MY head is spinning!  I don't want a ceremony that INVOLVES a courthouse!  Haha!  Sorry!

MarieSD

What is your ideal budget, and what is most important to you when you think about the wedding day?

I had my reception at the YWCA, and yes, while it's budget-friendly in the wedding world, I still spent a lot of money. When DH and I brainstormed about what we wanted out of our wedding: DH said to get married in his childhood church here and to have a full open bar. I wanted to be able to dance and to have a really awesome photographer. Put all that together, and we would up with the full-nine-yards Saturday night, open-bar-and-full-dinner-with-dancing reception. But not every wedding has to be like that, and the more you cut out that's not important to you, the more you can save.

Are you open to an afternoon reception on a Saturday or Sunday? I went to a lovely afternoon wedding at Times Ten Cellar in downtown Fort Worth. It's a beautiful place and I know their rental fee was very reasonable. (You can bring in your own catering, just have to serve their wine).

A brunch reception can also be very cost-effective.

And I personally think the community center in Hurst is really pretty and it's a really great value. No alcohol is allowed there, FYI. Google the Brookside Center if you're curious.

Also, how many people do you want to invite?

professorscience

You should check into community centers in your areas.  And you might think about hiring a coordinator.  I know it is an extra expense, but part of their job is to keep you on budget (including their fees).  Mine has been invaluable in that she's not only found me vendors who fit in my budget, but just because I am working with her, I've gotten discounts through some of the vendors she's coordinated!

Secondly, BREATHE.  You have a little over a year, and I know how overwhelming it can seem when you are paying for the wedding of your dreams.  You and your FI need to sit down and really go over your finances -- what can you afford?  You can certainly have a beautiful wedding for not a lot of money and still LOOK like you spent a lot of money.  It is about knowing what you can and can't live without, and finding vendors who fit in your price range.

ecox12

You can look into the Chateau at Forest Park. I'm using them, and I think they are very affordable. Also, like everyone else said, breathe . It seems overwhelming [trust me, I know!], but just look at one thing at a time, and I promise it'll all come together.

juliebug1997

The Colleyville Community Center is newly renovated and they will rent to non-residents.  I think the fee used to $1000 for a Saturday wedding but I don't know their current pricing.  You can bring in your own food and beverages.  Call them--I can only imagine how much prettier it is and it's relatively close to Keller.

MelS29

I second Colleyville Community Center and possibly Ashton Gardens.

crash2729

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_overwhelmed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:4dbfff22-a381-4f0d-b1e8-7c3b47cfb719Post:5d14a006-22e5-42b5-8c7f-a795ccbda952">Re: Overwhelmed!</a>:
[QUOTE]I second Colleyville Community Center and<strong> possibly Ashton Gardens</strong>.
Posted by MelS29[/QUOTE]

This is not going to be very budget friendly...

fryer2012

I'm using Event1013 in Plano and its pretty budget friendly bc you bring in everything yourself.  If you are on a budget I HIGHLY recommend using a venue where you can bring in ALL of your own vendors bc that is where the added expenses come in.  When you bring in your own vendors YOU control the price you are paying, not the venue.  Our budget is no more than 7000 and I think we are going to come in at around 6000 actually, however we budgeted most of the money we are paying to go towards our venue, food, photog, & our attire.  Decide what your vision is, what the dealbreakers are, and what is most important to you on your big day. Good luck!

enheduanna93

I'm getting married at Times Ten Cellars in FW in March. The rental fee on a Sat night is only $800, and their only rule is that you have to serve their wine. They have been SO easy to deal with, and there is a very nice, new Marriott Residence Inn right around the corner where my guests will be staying.

We are throwing a VERY budget friendly wedding, so I feel your pain! Message me if you want to know any more details.