Venues, Venues, Venues!!!

jmucheech21

I have had the BEST wedding planning weekend yet!!!  As you've all probably read before, I am IN LOVE with Harmony Golf Preserve, but am not so in love with the amount that they quoted us.  I kept looking and looking and nothing compared..

Two days ago we went to Celebration Golf Club because a friend HIGHLY recommended it.  She kept saying "I know they seem expensive, but they will work with you.." I went and they worked!!!  Cassie asked me what I was looking for and my price situation.  I told her I really was just looking to beat Harmony at this point, because I know I have a lot of guests and a food and alcohol filled vision for my wedding, but I off hand mentioned my ideal number that I'd LOVE to have (but knew how unrealistic it was).  She went to make a quote, came back with it, and had offered me EVERYTHING I wanted for the price my "fantasy price!!!!"  UNBELIEVABLE!!!!  They were amazing!!!

The next day I had a similar experience at Lakeside Inn!!!!  WOW!!!!!  And then later that day we went to Lake Mary Events Center and LOVED THAT TOO!!!

Its been SO awesome and I am so excited!!  So, we now have a top 4 that I want to fly my mom down to see and make a final decision!!  =D  Any comments or suggestions about those venues?  (Harmony, Celebration, Lakeside Inn, and Lake Mary Events Center?)

JenniferB27

My FI and I went to visit Lakeside Inn. The town is really cute and the price is unbelievable! The day we visited, we got to see it set up for a wedding. In the end we went with a venue closer to FI's family and friends so that they wouldn't have to drive as far. But... Lakeside Inn was our top choice for awhile!

jmucheech21

It is beautiful, isn't it???  We actually live 3 miles down the road from there and I have tons of guests coming from out of town, so its really convenient for us.  Between these 4 places I just feel like its nearly impossible to choose!!!  I see so much I like in each!!!!  We are flying my parents down in 3 weeks to come with us and help us make some decisions, hopefully they will have a clear favorite, because I just don't know if I can pick!!!

AileeneG

If there are specific caterers/vendors you have to work with, that may help your decision. Maybe try setting up tastings with the caterers they have? Or do they let you use anyone?

AileeneG

Also, another thing to look at if you can't decide: have an idea of where you'd set everything up and see what setup you like the best. For example, I was talking to my DJ a while ago and he was mentioning that some places like to stick DJ's in the weirdest spot ever. Like one place put him in a totally different room off of the main room.
So if you can't decide, see what would work best logistically and that may help you narrow it down, too. Things like that can make your day better, by helping your vendors do their job.  Good luck! Sounds like you picked some really nice places!

jmucheech21

Thanks!!  I have asked about the tastings.. Harmony said we can do one, Celebration and Lakeside said after you book you do one.. and LMEC lets you use whoever.  

I will ask about the set ups!!  Never thought of that before!!!

Pattash

I have some of these same venues on my list as well. I love the Lake Mary Events Center but I'm worried about the outside catering. I have no idea how much their required caterers would cost yet so that may affect my decision. Something for you think about too to help make your decision. You have to use a caterer from their list. Decide if it's important for you to deal with the venue for the location, catering, etc or if you don't mind having to get the catering elsewhere. I know as brides to be we want this process to be as least stressful as possible. Harmony and places like that include catering in the package which may make life easier but I too love the LMEC so I'm having a hard time deciding. Good luck with everything & congratulations!

x3Harmony534

I'm partial to LMEC since that's where I'm having my wedding. But I LOVE that you have a variety of caterers to chose from (most of whom let you bring your own alcohol which lowers the $ significantly!) You can really barter with the caterers bc they're in competition with eachother & a large majority of your budget is spent on catering, it's a nice option to have. That being said they are booked out like CRAZY! If you're wanting a Saturday wedding they were booked out until July 2011 as of a month ago. So you may want to see who has your date or date range you're looking at. GOOD LUCK!

Megs30

That is great that you have narrowed down your venue choices!  I am also getting married at the LMEC so I am partial.  They do have a list of caterers to choose from and they work with a lot of different budgets so I am sure you wouldn't have a problem.

Let us know what you decide!

ChelC24

I'm getting married at Lakeside Inn! Lisa is AMAZING and will work with any budget! FI and I are very excited to have our wedding there. Congrats on narrowing down your venue search!

jmucheech21

Thanks all!!!

Luckily I have met with all the venues and they all do have my date open.  I'm not getting married until 11/5/11, so LMEC opens up the books on May 3 for bookings.  When we were there she said they very recently started booking 18 months in advance rather than 12, which she said has alleviated a lot of the crazy booking stuff that was happening before, so I guess I am really lucky to be trying to do it now and not having to camp out the night before!!!

ChelC, I liked Lisa a lot too!  She reminds me so much of a teacher that I work with, the resemblance is actually so uncanny its kind of weird!!  She was super nice and so willing to work with us.  Plus the town is just so beautiful and picturesque, it would make for really good pics!!!  

Pattash, I would look into some of those caterers, I've heard they are very, very willing to work with budgets.  I was actually kind of bummed for a while because all the places I was looking did their own catering and it seemed like people were getting such better deals from caterers!!  Luckily I did find some that were willing to come down in price.  Have you checked out Harmony yet???  We absolutely loved it.  Just wish it was a little less pricey.  Good luck with finding places!!!  

Pattash

Thanks for the advice Jennifer. I was so worried that the caterers would work out to be  more expensive (don't know why I thought that). That makes me feel so much better now because I really do love the LMEC. Harmony is #2 on my list right now but I haven't seen it in person yet. I will have to bump LMEC back up the list and start talking to some caterers . Thanks so much!

ashbosity

All the LMEC caterers are listed on the food and bev page. Some of them have sample menus and prices listed. I have looked into some catering stuff (we're having our wedding there too). I've gotten quotes from $22-40 per person, depending on what you want. Most are around the $30 range for hand passed hor d'ouvres and a buffet or plated meal. Being able to bring your own alcohol also helps alot too.

jmucheech21

Yes, you definitely have to see Harmony.. its BEAUTIFUL.  And Michelle is completely attentive!!!!  Wonderful!!!