Texas-Dallas and Ft. Worth

HELP- Venue Blues

We are paying for the wedding ourselves, and with FH in med school and I'm a photographer, money is tight. I can't count on a steady paycheck because it's all about when I am able to book a wedding or a big string of families. We need an inexpensive location, we are only inviting 75 people. I don't want to do traditional, I'm open to lots of ideas!

Re: HELP- Venue Blues

  • mpayne67mpayne67 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Someone before suggested the Marty Leonard Community Chapel to me and I was sold on it! I booked it yesterday. Since our wedding is a weekday and early afternoon it's only costing us $350! Also, I never got a quote but the Fort Worth Zoo also allows weddings and that was another place I considered.
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  • edited December 2011
    We looked into renting out a local Mexican restaurant for the reception (in Ft Worth) on a Saturday night. They quoted me $21 per person for the food, and as far as I know there were no additional fees (no room rental, etc). The cost for the alcohol ($7 per drink or something like that) was why we didn't go that route...we anticipate big drinkers.

    So, you might check with small restaurants you like and see if they'd rent out the place to you for little more than the price of food.

    Also, parks/pavilians and places like the Arboretum are beautiful places to have a ceremony and reception.

    And this one's more traditional (community center), but I like the Brookside Center in Hurst (<--link) because it's so inexpensive.
  • dianaslikdianaslik member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Speaking of restaurants, you may want to check bars you like - if there is a "nicer" one you like, they might work with you as well!

    That's what we're doing for our reception.
  • bsn1752bsn1752 member
    Seventh Anniversary 2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Marty Leonard Chapel in Fort Worth is where I'm getting married in less than 2 weeks, and I love it.  The rental fee is not much either.

    http://www.lenapopehome.org/about-us/Marty_Leonard_Community_Chapel/Pricesandinfo.aspx

    If you're looking for Dallas area, try Winfrey Point.  Look for city owned or non-profit places too. 

    Have you checked out the vendor sticky?
  • NYLOPlanoNYLOPlano member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Have you checked out the NYLO Hotel in Plano, Texas.  They have an Outdoor Courtyard for Ceremonies and a great indoor venue for Receptions. 
    www.nylohotels.com/plano
  • edited December 2011
    Yes, try public parks, etc.  The arboretum is not a public park and in my opinion is quite expensive.  Also, do you know anyone that has a big back yard?  That would really help you keep your costs down, especially if you don't when you would be able to pay for certain things. 
  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Avanti in Fountain Place is a nice place for a wedding and reception of that size.  Another Knottie we know had her ceremony and reception at Ferrari's in Addison.  Winfrey Point is 100% DIY but would be an option.  Also Friday or Sunday weddings are always cheaper than Saturday.  Remember too that the venue and food is your biggest expense and there are ways to cut costs in other areas.

    And yeah the Arborteum is expensive if you have your reception there but ceremony only options are around $1K (less with 60 or less guests) which includes the chairs, rehearsal, and parking and admission for the guests. Not bad really!
  • edited December 2011

    I know what it is like to be on a budget, we are paying for everything ourselves too.

    We looked at the MADI Museum in Dallas. The rental fee is $500 and the coordinator there is super friendly.Plus you can use your own catering. We would have had ours there but it wasn't big enough for what we wanted.
    http://www.geometricmadimuseum.org/rental.php

    I would also recommend looking at the PP about Hurst because it is a really great deal.

    There is also the Party Barn in Wylie. It's price ranges from $400-$1200. It is definitely different, if you are going for a rustic look you might like it. http://www.partybarnrentme.com/

    Hope some of this helps :)

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  • edited December 2011
    We looked at the Ruthe Jackson center in GP and love it.  It's affordable and has a gorgeous garden/fire pit area for an outdoor ceremony.
  • Kmarie2409Kmarie2409 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We really wanted a beach wedding, but we're having a hard time with not being able to go see the locations easily. 
  • edited December 2011
    We started out thinking about a destination wedding.  Our plan was to go to the city of choice on a weekend and do a whirlwind tour of as many places as possible after getting details via phone/email.   It seems as if you don't have a clear vision right now of what you want though.  Have you looked through idea books/vendor sites to narrow it down?  Also, have you come up with an overall budget?
  • edited December 2011
    If you want a beach wedding without the cost of a destination wedding call some of the local lakes and see if you can have a wedding in one of the parks.  I know Lake Granbury has a beach area and we have had a baby shower and birthday at that location so maybe they can do a wedding if it's not a peak season or a busy holiday weekend.
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  • khoughton1khoughton1 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    So you say you are a photographer? I'm starting the process of looking for photographers. Do you have a website?
  • bsn1752bsn1752 member
    Seventh Anniversary 2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-blues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f7e24262-f575-414f-a535-d45c67849b1bPost:7fc4aecc-c203-47de-a830-5f958f73aaa4">Re: HELP- Venue Blues</a>:
    [QUOTE]So you say you are a photographer? I'm starting the process of looking for photographers. Do you have a website?
    Posted by khoughton1[/QUOTE]

    No, she can't post her business information on these forums.  She can be banned for that.
  • khoughton1khoughton1 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Ooops sorry! I guess I dont know all the rules yet.
  • Kmarie2409Kmarie2409 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I know I want either a beach wedding or something urban and nontraditional. We love the idea of rooftops or something like that. 
  • bsn1752bsn1752 member
    Seventh Anniversary 2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_venue-blues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f7e24262-f575-414f-a535-d45c67849b1bPost:4eda6149-5189-4356-8281-b542459af8ac">Re: HELP- Venue Blues</a>:
    [QUOTE]I know I want either a beach wedding or something urban and nontraditional. We love the idea of rooftops or something like that. 
    Posted by Kmarie2409[/QUOTE]

    Have you looked at the Aloft Hotels?
  • Kmarie2409Kmarie2409 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I haven't, do you know what price range they're in?
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