Venue Help

jdssister

Hi Everyone!

I am newly engaged and already slightly overwhelmed!

Because of family circumstances, our wedding is being planned for July....of this year. I know it is possible to plan a wedding in a short amount of time but my huge concern right now is a venue. We are looking for something very inexpensive (we just purchased a home so our budget needs to stay very low!)  around Northeastern Connecticut and up through Central Massachusetts. I have been searching, specifically, for a place that we could rent and provide our own food for the reception. It seems that most places require specific caterers. We thought a church could be ideal for this but I am not having much luck with that either. We are very flexible in our preferences so I'm sorry if the specifics are rather vague. Also...it is a smaller wedding with the guest count around 75-100.

Any advice or input you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much! 

MoonlightSilver

If you're looking to keep a cheap budget, I would suggest you look into having a wedding on a Friday or Sunday, since those two days will be cheaper than a Saturday. Weddings during non-meal times would be cheaper too, because you can do just drinks and cake instead of a full meal.

I don't know any venues in that area, but you might want to look through weddingwire.com. You can put in a zip code and it will find venues near you, and you can see some reviews from other brides.

The other options is to look into local parks, if you don't mind being outdoors. Good luck! 

sundayrose

I know that when we looked into getting married at our local church they offered us the use of the rec room and kitchen for our reception for a very minimal fee, We had already booked a separate venue but maybe you could check with a church and hold the reception there.

LinD25

I would look into A Villa Louisa. We're booking with them and they have been great. PM me if you would like some more information.

rswan412

Ditto PP re: Friday or Sunday..

You could check out Indian Ranch- it's a campground so I'm sure it's in full swing in the summer, but you never know! There are also local halls- such as a VFW, Knights of Columbus- also The French Club rents out their hall in Jewett City (FSIL works there).  The French Club will let you bring in your own food & decorate- they are reasonable to rent. If you're interested then feel free to PM me and I can get you more information!!

theholograms

I don't know of any venues in your specific area - but I know a couple who got married at Wickham Park and kept it under $15,000...something to look into to.

stacykoehler

I heard the Elks Club in Williamantic is really nice although I haven't seen it. I've heard of the Thompson Speedway, although I don't know pricing and I don't know if you have to use their caterer.

Georgina's in Bolton offers a really good value - their website lists all of their packages.

rswan - For the French Club, I was told you have to use their caterer. Were you told otherwise? That's good to know!

rswan412

As far as I know, you don't have to. We've had birthday parties for family there and they let us bring in whatever we want- don't know if it's different for weddings. I'll check and let everyone know

JodiAriel

Wickham Park is pretty reasonable and you bring in your own caterer/food.  The woman Rhonda is super easy to work with and there is space to have the ceremony on site as well.

LaurenG1986

ditto to Wickham park or local halls!!

Whtara10

I don't really know what your budget is or if this is too far but we are getting married at Lighthouse Point Park in new haven. You can use whatever caterer you want and its Perfect for a summer wedding!

tanyamary627

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:2a6d2cb2-bd07-4fc1-b8fd-a8805a997753Post:bd3e18a6-80dd-417e-ac37-3b5a137492e2">Re: Venue Help</a>:
[QUOTE]I heard the Elks Club in Williamantic is really nice although I haven't seen it. <strong>I've heard of the Thompson Speedway</strong>, although I don't know pricing and I don't know if you have to use their caterer. Georgina's in Bolton offers a really good value - their website lists all of their packages. rswan - For the French Club, I was told you have to use their caterer. Were you told otherwise? That's good to know!
Posted by stacykoehler[/QUOTE]

I went to a bridal expo at the Raceway Restaurant @ Thompson Speedway a few weekends ago. I thought it was very nice! The main room is rustic looking, with exposed beams. The lounge area is also nice, there is a patio as well but I didn't take a look at it. However, I don't know if you can bring in your own caterer, since they are a full-service restaurant.

jdssister

Thank you for all of your help! You all gave me some great ideas that I will be looking into! I really appreciate it! I feel better about this already!