HELP!! Outdoor/Garden venue...possible outside catering... etc

msphil32

Hey everyone!!

Ok, so now that we have narrowed it down to the Atlanta and surrounding areas....I have located several venues that I was interested in. It is pretty difficult because I reside in FL and my FI will be in Iraq during the first half of the planning. Anywho, I want an outdoor venue for the ceremony, garden specifically, and have located some including Little Gardens, Flint Hill, and a few other similar venues more on the inclusive side(any detailed input on these would be great.) However, my FI has recently suggested that he may want us to use a wedding planner who coordinated a friend's wedding, who suggests a venue that is pretty much DYI where outside vendors could be used. Oh...did I mention that she does not reside in GA, which concerns me. To me, it kind of defeats the purpose of a planner because I "assumed" that this person should have a working relationship with different vendors in the area, otherwise we would be doing the same thing and my work would not be as stress-less as I hoped it would be. Maybe I'm wrong....let me know if you have experienced this and know something different. Other than that...I am pretty much set on a mostly inclusive outdoor-garden venue, indoor reception that is "budget friendly" for about 100 or so guests. Looking to get married September 2012. Also, is anyone familiar with Payne-Corley or the Carl House?
Thanks for reading...I know I'm probably all over the place with this one!

heartholder143

 many venues, especially in Atlanta do theiri own catering- and some are all inclusive- and you have to use all their saervices from  linens to flowers.  On the palnner part, they are  a god investment if you make sure they understand what your expectation for them are. many have different "pacages and levels" of planning.  The whole idea of a planner is to let them do the work you do not have time to do, but rememer, time is money so be prepared to pay for this service. many palnners will know which venues  alllow outside caterers and outside vendors to come in- so first start with  taking to the palnner suggested and see  who  they work with, and even though they may use other vendors whom they work will with , is no guarantee you will like them also- you will have to do a bit of research and leg work  to make sure you are comforatable with ALL your choices- it's your money and your wedding. planner or no- you the couple are still in charge. best wishes

msphil32

Thanks heartholder!

jamier627

I am getting married at Canoe (the restaurant) http://www.canoeatl.com/ It has a gorgeous garden and the flowers are always blooming. The ceremony is set up right on the Chatahoochee river, and the reception is in a permanent tent right there as well. Because it is a restaurant, the food is from their menu, the cake is included in the price of food, and they have a talanted in-house pastry chef, so unless you want an extremely elaborate cake, they can pretty much make anything. All you have to arrange is decoration (centerpeices, etc.) It's reasonably priced compared to some of the other places I was looking at!  Hope that helped and good luck!

msphil32

Thanks Jamier..I will take a look at this one. When is your wedding and how many guest do you have attending?

juscaterinbaby

From my experience what you are describing in terms of being from out of town and needing to have someone coordinate your event and catering  is typically normal.  We service the Atlanta Metro area and provide catering services and provide quotes to roughly about 30% of your clients which stem from out of state.  You would think that it would be difficult to get an overview of a plan if you can't work closely with the event planner but with today's technology get the information to the decision makers and getting everyone comfortable with the planning process is not difficult at all.  A DYI event when coming from out of state can provide challenges and last minute scrambling you for sure want to price it both ways and also determine how flexible the  group is in regard to scouting out venues.    Start with obtaining quotes from local vendors in the Atlanta area that offer wedding planning and event coordination and catering before throwing in the DYI hat.  Atlanta/Gainsville/Buford Metro Area Catering - Chef - Juan Mcallister of Juscaterinbaby.com

jamier627

Hey, I am getting married June 16th 2012, and we're having approximately 150 people (hopefully less-that big kinda freaks me out! But I come from a big family...)

msphil32

Thanks Chef...Hey Jamier, sounds good! It's looking like we are at about 120 now, but that could go up slightly or down....How are things coming together for you? We are just kind of getting started on a more serious note because we are planning for September 1, 2012. I had some down time to not really start the stressing, but now is the time...I appreciate your input...I hope things are smooth for you so far with planning!