Venue questions from a non-Philly resident help!

jess18563

Hey, I'm trying to plan a wedding from DC and need help!  Looking like about 110 guests, budget is flexible.

I LOVE the Front and Palmer space but I guess the neighborhood is weird and not sure where we'd have the ceremony?  So my Qs are:

- Any fun, modern, nontraditional spaces like that but more near center city? ( I also looked at Sky Box but it seems too...open.  In pics, Artesano doesn't look so great, but may be better in person?  My fiance didn't like TRUST, said it looked like a run-down club in pics.)

- If we did Front & Palmer, (1) will the neighborhood freak my midwestern parents out, and (2) is there a garden, park, or other "pretty" place nearby to do the ceremony?  Would it be weird to have a shuttle to/from the hotel?

Sorry for all the random Qs, any help is appreciated!

RecoveringActor

Welcome, Jess!  I couldn't imagine planning long distance. All the power to you!

I believe our own Brizzie (who planned LD from CALIFORNIA) had her wedding at Artesano.  She comes on here every once in a while but I'll text her for you. 

Also if you look at the link at the bottom of my signature, that is this board's "blog" where we list where everyone got what, etc.  I would take a look at that and see if there's anything there.  And if you have a question about a certain venue that another knottie has used, we can help you track them down so you can talk to them about it.

Talamore is really popular here as well. 

Bean32

Try these: http://www.cescapheballroom.com/. They are all pretty interesting/unique spaces.

I would stay away from Front & Palmer. I have to drive right by there a few times a month to get to one of the locations I visit for work and it still skeeves me out. It's not terrible, but if you have guests who aren't from Philly, I wouldn't send them there.

jess18563

Thank you!  Yes, its tricky trying to figure everything out from here, esp. because I'm recovering from foot surgery have not been able to get out anywhere and see anything. Fun, right?  Luckily I had an internship in Philly so I know the general layout. 

Would also welcome any recs for hotels!  I guess if we did the reception at F&P the hotel (and ceremony) would probably be done near Penns landing...

I will check out the blog too, thanks!

jess18563

Hey Bean, sorry I didn't see your reply - thanks for bringing me back to reality.  Its probably not good to have a reception in a weird area when you have a bunch of out-of-towners.

The Cescaphe spaces look cool, but given a quick search on other forums it looks like (a) they are for weddings with higher guest count (175+) than we have, and (b) book very very quickly.  They also seem very all-inclusive which is great for some, but I'd kinda like to put my stamp on it, you know?

Bean32

What about WaterWorks by the Art Museum. I think they have an area for a wedding of about your size. Plus, there are great pictures spots right there, so you wouldn't have to shuttle anywhere. It's a restaurant, so I think you'll have a lot of artistic freedom as far as how things are set up.

jess18563

The WaterWorks looks nice... especially the outdoors and tent areas.  One thing is I'm not sure if there's a good dance floor area.  I can't give that up!  Maybe I would have to see in person.

The good thing is, though, if I don't do Front & Palmer I don't have to stick near Penns Landing for the wedding or reception...

Thanks for suggestions!

PHughes819

Have you checked out the Morris House on 8th right on Washington Square?

jess18563

Re Morris House...looks cute, but in more of a historic way and less a fun/modern/cool/industrial way, and again no dance floor space that I can see...

So this is when y'all tell me to stop being so picky right?

sanaylor01

Never stop being picky!! Its your day and you deserve to get what you want! I would see if you can get pictures of some of these places with a dance floor set up so you can see what the layout is. You may want to see if anyone else on here used any of the venues you are looking into and see if they will show you some pictures.

[Deleted User]

Just because a place is all inclusive does not mean you cannot put your own stamp on it.  We had all incusive, created the menu with the venue, brought in our candy bar, our CP were our own etc.  I have seen pictures of other weddings and the room looked totally different.

I think esp. when you are planning long distance doing everything individually can be very difficult.  I planned my wedding from London so I understand distance.  

I would check out PartySpace.com

Then I would come up for a weekend and see a ton of places in a day.  That's what we did one time when we were in the US.  

DKS29

I am also planning from California, however I grew up in Philadelphia so I am familiar with the areas.   I am trying to do a budget wedding around 60-70 a person.  I looked into the Woman's Club of Bala Cywnd.  You can bring in your own caterer.  

tdmaus

Did you check the Top of the Tower? During our venue search, we checked out Top of the Tower. We really liked it, since the view from the top of that building was amazing! It has a dance floor, etc. We really liked it, however, it was too pricey for our budget. The minimum package (all inclusive) they offered was $130 pp without alcohol (you can bring it in yourself). It’s right next to the Comcast building and in walking distance of the train station to accommodate your guests who might come via Amtrak.

PattySmith101

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_venue-questions-non-philly-resident?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:98793b08-0180-40a8-a0ff-450700c606e3Post:71cc16d4-6922-45f1-bb47-d867e3ae3541">Re: Venue questions from a non-Philly resident help!</a>:
[QUOTE]The WaterWorks looks nice... especially the outdoors and tent areas.  One thing is I'm not sure if there's a good dance floor area.  I can't give that up!  Maybe I would have to see in person.

water works is super expensive starts @150 per person... dont know much about a dance floor either!  i got engaged there, nice but super expensive. however if you do want to get married in the gazebo which is on the water facing boathouse row that you might think they own< which they don't even though they will try to convince you they do />Fairmount  park owns it and you only need a permit which costs $500 and to rent chairs which is about $200. i know someone who got married there!  we were going to do it but we wanted a country club reception and not a center city type reception hall.