Venue Help-Outside Catering/Bar

Bunny67

Hi,
Can anyone help me find a nice venue in South Florida where you can bring your own caterer and liquor?? Any suggestions or personal experiences are welcome!

(Preferably by the water or a pretty garden area where we can have the ceremony also.)

Thanks!

quiggels219

Both my cousins were married at public parks in Broward and they brought in their own caterer and alcohol.  They only allow beer and wine though.  I dont remember what either was called - but both were nice - one nicer than the other but again I can't remember.  They were also pretty reasonable too because I know they each had under a 15,000 budget and invited over 100 people.  Maybe google it??

Also the New River Inn in Ft. lauderdale - its no longer a hotel but they hold events.  Its right next to the water and has a pretty gazebo on the grounds

HeatherL212

A long time ago a lot of girls were using the Ronald Shane Center, not sure why they stopped though. It is in Miami on the water and you have the whole facility to yourself. I believe you can bring your own caterer. The same type of place (near water) in Fort Lauderdale, on Las Olas is the Josephine S Leiser Opera Center. We looked into it years ago. Not on water is the Old Davie School and can't think of any gardens of the top of my head

djoann958

Miami Beach Botanical Garden- very affordable and an indoor space in case of rain.

edefee

I am having my ceremony and reception at River Palm Cottages.  It's in Jensen Beach so a bit of a drive, depending on how far south you live.  I am in North Palm Beach so it's only about 30 minutes away.  They have Key West style cottages on site and you can bring all outside vendors.  I'm saving a ton of money this way.

Bunny67

Thanks everyone! I'll check on all those

Any other ideas out there?

bibi990

Check out Deering Estate in Miami (I just booked there).  Fairchild Tropical Garden and Vizcaya too, although both are pricier than Deering.

Bunny67

Ok, so after tons of research I finally decided on my venue. The Borland Center on PGA Blvd. They have a performing arts theater and a hall that you can rent but we decided to do everything in the theater. I think it will be gorgeous and they allow outside caterers so it will be great in my budget. They don't really have an outside space for ceremony but we plan to do an indoor candlelit ceremony instead.
I was looking for a place that could accommodate about 150-175 people and would be under $15,000 for everything, not including attire, rings, or honeymoon. There were a few places that I found that could have worked. Most allow you to bring in your own caterer/alcohol but some full service places were also flexible. Here is a list of affordable places that I have checked out or heard of in my search.

Palm Beach County
Borland Center - My venue
Spanish River Library - Beautiful, unique venue on a lake. $1600 to rent each space (I think 3 spaces are available), $800 if you're a Boca resident or know someone who would sponsor you. You have to bring in everything but I think they have tables. I was just worried about everything being outside and possibly needing a tent. 
Palm Beach Shores Community Center - Very pretty, right by the beach so ceremony could be on the sand, but they recommend no more than 144 guests inside. They only allow 3 caterers so it's not the most flexible on the budget, but I think I could have done it for a little over $15,000 for 150 guests. I'm just worried I may end up closer to 175 and not having space. It was $2100 to rent the space.
Old School Square - Plenty spaces to choose from. The most popular is the gymnasium for the reception. I never saw this one in person but it seems to be a well known location. You can bring in everything. 
Boca Country Club - Nice place, Jack is great and willing to work with a budget. A part of the Boca Resort, but in a different location. 
Palm Beach Zoo - Very unique venue. I love the fountain in the ceremony area. They provide food but they allow you to bring your own alcohol, you just have to use their bartender.
Boca Dunes Country Club - Very budget friendly. They have a nice gazebo for the ceremony. I went to an event there a long time ago and the food wasn't good. They offer tastings but I didn't make it to any. I heard they changed caterers so maybe the food is better now.
The Loft at Congress - The inside is very interesting from the website. I love the white draping in the main hall and the uplights are included, but it's located in an industrial building area. It would be cool for a party, but I didn't like it for a wedding. It's $4,000 to rent but she was willing to lower that a bit.
Pavilion Grille - Restaurant inside of a corporate building. Affordable prices. Not really anywhere there to do the ceremony though. You could just section off a part of the lobby if you want it all in one place.
Wyndham Garden Boca - Really pretty hotel, close to the mall and other shopping for out of towners. They have a shuttle for guests. Angela was really nice and willing to work with a budget.
Embassy Suites Boca Raton - They were willing to work with a budget and they have a gazebo for the ceremony.
Benvenuto's - Very pretty and all inclusive packages. They were all booked up on my dates.
Boynton Women's Club - Haven't seen it in person but another affordable option
Palm Beach Sailing Club - Haven't seen it in person but another affordable option. Not many pictures online though.
Intracoastal Park Clubhouse - Haven't seen it in person but another affordable option. Right on the water. I think the max is about 100 guests.
Hawthorne Suites - Hotel that allows outside catering/alcohol. Not the prettiest place on the outside but I haven't seen it in person so I don't know how inside looks. I think it was only about $750 to rent.
Village Golf Club - About $400 to rent and you can bring your own caterer. I think you have to use their bar.


Broward County
The Josephine S Leiser Opera Center - Beautiful venue. This was my favorite in Broward but it's a bit small for my guest list. You can do the ceremony in front of the building or at the gazebo down the street. I didn't think the gazebo had the space to accommodate that many people though. $2500 to rent and they allow outside caterer/alcohol.
Royal Fiesta - Very pretty ballroom and Robert was great. They have all inclusive prices and are also a little flexible, but they are in a shopping plaza. I would have had the ceremony at the Deerfield Beach Boardwalk and had shuttles to take the guests to and from ceremony site.  
International Swimming Hall of Fame - This looks a bit old but if you fully drape the ceilings and walls, it has potential. Located on the Intracoastal and they allow you to bring in everything. They have tables, but I'm not sure what chairs they have, if any. You can do the ceremony on the grass by the water. 
International Fishing Hall of Fame - VERY unique venue. My fiance liked it because the building itself was very modern looking and the walls and floors were gorgeous BUT I wasn't too keen on the huge scary shark and other lifesize fish hanging above our heads in the main hall. If you want something different or fishing is a part of your relationship, this would be a cool venue. $2500 for reception room for 4 hrs and another $500 for ceremony area and they allow outside caterers/bar.
Galuppi's - Never went there in person, but it seems really pretty. They were willing to be a little flexible.
Wyndham Sea Garden - Located on the beach in Pompano. I liked that we could do the ceremony on the beach but the ballroom (and hotel in general) looked really old fashioned. You had to use their bar but could bring in your own catering. I think it was about $900 to rent the space.
Art Museum of Fort Lauderdale - Nice space but I was worried about my drinking/partying crowd breaking something during the reception. There's a gazebo/park down the street where I would have wanted the ceremony but we went on a saturday and it was filled with homeless people. I didn't want to have to deal with asking them to step to the side for our ceremony! Museum is $2500 to rent for reception and another $1000 to rent a second space for ceremony or cocktails.
Anne Kolb Nature Center - Pretty, affordable option. About $1400 to rent the space and bring in your own vendors. I didn't like that you can only bring beer/wine and you have to clear out by 11 so you have to end by 10pm. Too early! Also, you can't drape the ceilings.
Long Key Nature Center or Tree Tops Park - I didn't see these places, but heard they're nice. However, same problems as above.
Old Davie School - Very cute, quaint place. From pictures, I think it would be a nice venue once the ceilings are draped in the hall. Very affordable and popular on these boards.
Volunteer Park - Didn't see this in person but looks nice in pictures. $310/hr to rent but you must end at 11. No draping or candles. I don't remember if they only allow beer/wine
New River Inn - Right across from the Leiser Opera Center. Everything would be outside so you'd probably need a tent. $2300 to rent, but you need to bring everything in.
Cypress Creek Country Club - Never been there but the lady was nice and they're affordable. A bit too small for my group though.
Casa Reta - Pretty mansion to rent. Everything would have to be outside for a larger party though, so you may need a tent. About $2500 to rent for 150 people, rates change with the amount of people you have. You have to bring tables, chairs, etc.
Joseph's on the Water - A restaurant on the intercoastal. Prices are reasonable but it was a bit small and decor was a bit old fashioned inside.
Coral Ridge Yacht Club - We were shown this by Josie from Affordable Dream Weddings. She was able to work with a budget. It just looked a little old from the outside. 
Orangebrook Country Club - They allow you to bring in you own food but you have to use their bar, plus another $1000 to rent the space. No ceremony space available.
Art and Culture Center Hollywood - About $800 to rent from 5 to 11pm, but worried about mishaps with the artwork at the reception. Also, you don't know what the exhibits will be a year out so there's no telling what you decor will be. They don't allow any draping or decor besides table centerpieces.
John Lloyd Park - Beach area you can rent, all outdoors so you'd need a tent. I didn't like it that much and it was hard to get information.
Signature Grand - Mixed reviews online and I didn't see it in person but it's an affordable option.
Floridian Ballroom - Haven't seen it in person but another affordable option.
La Vie En Rose- Haven't seen it in person but another affordable option.

Dade County
Shane Center - Favorite place in Miami! White, clean slate inside and open patio area overlooking the intercoastal for a ceremony site. About $2500 to rent, depending on how many people you have and you bring in your own vendors.
Miami Beach Botanical Center -  Affordable and well known option on the boards.
Brickell Bay Hall - Seems pretty in pictures. About $2500 to rent the space and you need to have the ceremony in their church.
Grand Salon Killian Palms Country Club - Mixed reviews online, but pictures look great and it's very affordable.
The Coral Gables Women's Club or Cocoplum Women's Club - Didn't contact them but heard that they're both good options.

I'll add more if I think of any. Hope that helps someone!

Bunny67

Some other really nice, but pricier venue rentals:

Bonnet House
Deering Estate
Morikami Museum
Ann Norton Scultpure Gardens
Bamboo Gallery
Kampong Gardens
Vizcaya

These are all around $5000 or more to rent and some don't include anything at all.

QueenoftheHill

Well Damn!!!. This is sooooo helpful it makes me want to cry.lol Thank you for taking the time to put this up. I'm possible having to move my wedding from Vegas to here and this is beyond helpful. thanks again.

hose85

WOW this is amazing! so helpful!! thank you!!

Kpermanan

It's amazing how Bunny67 posted this in 2010, yet it's super helpful to me for my upcoming wedding in 2014.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated!