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I am driving myself crazy!

nmhollingernmhollinger member
First Comment
in Pennsylvania-Central
After bokoing Lauxmont Farms, we cancelled.  I realized that I DO NOT want to spend roughly $10k on my wedding.  I'd rather spend that money paying off my car or buying a house.  So here's why I'm going crazy...my FI and I cannot decide what to do. 

I just want to get married at the JP or DJ and still have a reception.  He wants to get married in a park and then have our reception.  Park is fine with me, but I just cannot find any really pretty parks that are cheap/affordable that I'd want to get married in!  I just dont know what to do! Any advice?  Any ideas on parks? 
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Re: I am driving myself crazy!

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    brownhenrybrownhenry
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Are you looking for any parks in a specific area? Historical places often hold weddings and do it at a very low cost. Ephrata Cloister is popular, Landis Valley Muesum, if you have a certain area you can search for their parks and recreation site. Like if you go to Lancaster County's website they should have a parks and rec page where you can get in touch with people to rent the area and you should be able to find a full list of the parks in the county.

    I hope this helps! Good luck
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    nmhollingernmhollinger member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    We live in Lewisberry area right now, but we are willing to travel about 45 minutes around the area.  I looked at some county's websites, but they don't have a whole lot of information.  But thank you for your suggestions!  I'll definitely check them out!

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    rm1259rm1259 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    yeah, I'm having an outdoor reception in August at Landis Valley Museum, and the grounds are really pretty. when i went to visit this past December it was hard to visualize obviously cause its winter, but i have seen pictures of summer weddings there and it's beautiful! in all my endless searching, they were the only nice place that didn't charge you $2,000-3,000 for the land, with nothing else inlcluded. let me know if you want any more info! 
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    nmhollingernmhollinger member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    For me, even $2k for the venue is too much.  I'm looking at community/state parks to rent maybe a building or a pavillion to have the ceremony and we're probably going to rent a fire hall or something for the reception.  There is a community building in my old hometown that only charged $25/hr.  And I know you can rent a park in Dover, PA for $250 all day long.  These are the things and prices I'm looking at.

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    babolingerbabolinger
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    What about Gifford Pinchot State Park? Just a thought.
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    shellbell026shellbell026
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-central_am-driving-myself-crazy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:107Discussion:31ae1205-f6eb-4e79-9d3c-56699ebd8e71Post:6ed7c5cd-cf90-4d25-b29b-cc17ab856f7e">Re: I am driving myself crazy!</a>:
    [QUOTE]What about Gifford Pinchot State Park? Just a thought.
    Posted by babolinger[/QUOTE]


    This.   What about Fort Hunter?  We just got married there in October.  They have a barn, church and a lawn area that you can use and are pretty cheap.  The only issue with state parks is you can't have alcohol on their premises.   If that doesn't matter to you then you might want to check them out.  Are you wanting to have your reception in the same place as your ceremony?
    Michelle and Chris 10.10.10 ~Planning Bio~Updated September 12th~ 10/10 Siggy challenge: Walking down the aisle Photobucket
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    nmhollingernmhollinger member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Pinchot has no enclosed buildings and that's one thing I'm looking for, but thanks for all the help! All of you!!

    @ShellBell,  I've looked at Fort Hunter before.  I'm thinking I want the reception and ceremony in the same spot or very very close.  Did you have your reception there too?  Alcohol doesn't matter.  We're having a dry wedding.  Was the view pretty?  I also heard about some of the other gazebos in Riverfront on Front St.

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    mommachevmommachev
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Not sure of the location that your looking at doing.  We are doing our's at the gazebo in Columbia (its on Locust St, the main st).  The Lion's Club runs the rentals on that for $10 (as far as I know there is no time limit).  My sister did her wedding 2 yrs ago at the gazebo in Lititz park and she paid $75 (and I don't think there was a time limit). 
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    shellbell026shellbell026
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-central_am-driving-myself-crazy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:107Discussion:31ae1205-f6eb-4e79-9d3c-56699ebd8e71Post:56cffe3d-2f72-4974-91be-bd3b07da2aa1">Re: I am driving myself crazy!</a>:
    [QUOTE]Pinchot has no enclosed buildings and that's one thing I'm looking for, but thanks for all the help! All of you!! @ShellBell,  I've looked at Fort Hunter before.  I'm thinking I want the reception and ceremony in the same spot or very very close.  Did you have your reception there too?  Alcohol doesn't matter.  We're having a dry wedding.  Was the view pretty?  I also heard about some of the other gazebos in Riverfront on Front St.
    Posted by nmhollinger[/QUOTE]


    Yeah it is beautiful there.  They even have a covered bridge for a great photo op.   You can look at their website <a href="http://www.forthunter.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.   We got married at the church.  Here are some pictures from our wedding


    <a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', 'f6a59e88-0604-4678-af7d-8608e1734f86', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/6/15/f6a59e88-0604-4678-af7d-8608e1734f86.medium.jpg" alt="" width="304" height="204" /></a>

    Here is the inside of the church

    <a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '5bb20fa7-53f4-48a0-a8c7-1e2f3e44cfc7', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/11/8/5bb20fa7-53f4-48a0-a8c7-1e2f3e44cfc7.medium.jpg" alt="" width="244" height="164" /></a>

    Here is the inside of the bridge

    <a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '2f98c760-3df8-406d-b91b-f68bbce636a1', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/15/9/2f98c760-3df8-406d-b91b-f68bbce636a1.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

    This is what the sign says


    <a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', 'dc2fd831-371e-42e3-a0ba-16f1177e57cf', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/12/0/dc2fd831-371e-42e3-a0ba-16f1177e57cf.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

    Here is right outside the bridge

    <a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '93f68e25-c907-47e8-bd93-eb12a87ff2f8', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/3/13/93f68e25-c907-47e8-bd93-eb12a87ff2f8.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

    We actually got our Epics taken here also.  They have beautiful grounds and we paid $400 for the day ($100 is refundable after the wedding).  We had our reception somewhere else though.  I know one of my friends had her wedding there though I didn't know her when she got married.   I would take a trip out there and look around.    DIdn't some one post on here before about Italian Lake in Harrisburg?  I don't go down on Front street that often so I can't help you with the pavilions.   Good luck!
    Michelle and Chris 10.10.10 ~Planning Bio~Updated September 12th~ 10/10 Siggy challenge: Walking down the aisle Photobucket
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    redtails22redtails22 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    You may also want to look at Samuel Lewis State park in Wrightville. Its very close to Lauxmont and you can get some really great views of the countryside and river for way less then 10K. lol One thing is they do not allow alcohol do not know if that is a problem for you. Also try longs park in lancaster by Park City. Its a very nice park as well.
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    nmhollingernmhollinger member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    @ MommaChev...where are you having your reception?  Is it close to the gazebo/affordable?

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    steeser03steeser03
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    i have additional pics of the grounds of Fort Hunter if you would like to see them. Let me know and I will PM you my photographer info. Fort Hunter is a great place for a wedding.

    Little Buffalo State Park in Newport is also good. They have indoor and outdoor options and you can have alcohol if you change your mind. They have a license.
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    nmhollingernmhollinger member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    @Steeser..that'd be great! Send me any info you can! this is turning out to be one of the hardest decisions ever!  I'm making this a lot harder than it has to be, I just know it!
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    mommachevmommachev
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We are doing our reception at the VFW in Manheim, we didn't get to sample the food yet but have been told by a lot of ppl that it is good.  I'm not sure on final costs yet but I do know the prices are very good.  The room rental is free if you have 60 or more ppl (which wrks good for us cause that was how many we were looking at).  My whole budget is under $5,000. 
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    steeser03steeser03
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    i sent you a PM with the full album info but here is the blog entry that has a few photos from fort hunter.

    http://capturedbykate.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/sara-andy-e-session/

    dont stress over it. you'll find something.

    also, if you are concerned about the cost of an officiant you could always use a self uniting license. its the same cost as a typical license, but you can have anyone you want perform your ceremony. if you have a sibling or mutual friend or someone that you would like to do it, they dont need to be ordained under a self uniting license. if you want more information on the process i'd be happy to help.
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    gaiwagnergaiwagner member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I looked at this site for a lawn ceramony and a hall reception.  The lawn is beautiful.  The problem we had was with the barn.  The reception site is the barn, which has one small room to use.  If you are having more than 75 people and want dancing, you may be out of luck.  It is worth looking at if you are interested to make sure the site will work fo you. 

    We are getting married next year at the barn practially in your backyard...The Blue Hound Farm.  Not expensive, but very rustic.  I'm not sure what you are looking for so you may want to google it.  Good Luck....it will all work out!!!
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