Unique venue ideas that DON'T cost an arm and a leg. HELP!!

jessica'n'bob2010

Hi ladies, I am TRYING to plan my September or October, Saturday wedding and I'm having a lot of trouble finding a venue that is fun and not-so-typical that DOESN'T cost an arm and a leg. (or that isn't already booked up)  An outdoor ceremony is ideal, paired with an indoor reception site. Our budget to put forth towards our venue(s) is about $4,500-5,000 combined. That has to include the rental fees and the meal. There will be a max of 200 guests in attendance.
If anyone has any insight or ideas to share with me...please do! I am open to any ideas at this point.

JKohio

Where have you looked so far? And, by 'not typical', what sort of place do you envision (winery, country club, art gallery, rustic structure like a barn/lodge)?

jessica'n'bob2010

Your list basically sums it up! haha. I've looked at a few country clubs that were way out of price range. Hale Farm and Village was a big let-down as far as pricing goes, too. What I DON'T want is a hotel ballroom or a cookie-cutter "party center"

tarynrr

what area are you looking in??

danielle.eardley

Unfortunately if you are looking to include food in that rental price for 200 people, you are going to have a VERY hard time finding a unique venue.  I would suggest reducing your guest list and you will have an easier (albeit still difficult) time finding what you want in that price range.  The unique venues in Cleveland get booked frequently so they charge an arm and a leg because there aren't that many places and there are tons of brides waiting in line to get them.  

If you can get your guest list down to about 90 folks, try Mooreland Manor in Kirtland.  I don't remember the exact cost but was one of the least expensive places I looked at but was just a bit too small for my guest list.  They have beautiful gardens and the house is really cool.

If you can get your guest list down to around 150, check out the ballroom at park lane villa.  They have an outdoor terrace and although the indoor space is a ballroom, it was built in the 1920's as a speakeasy and has been refurbished very close to its original splendor.  It definitely isn't your typical ballroom and feels sooo elegant.  I believe all inclusive (food, linens, alcohol, chivari chairs, waitstaff, parking, etc.) the quote I got was 95-125 a person.  That may still be out of your price range, but you really would only have to provide a few more items because so many things are included in the price.

I hope you find what you are looking for, but when you are considering that food is at minimum going to be $20 a plate for vegetarian items in most location.  For 200 people, that is $4000 right there without the rental fee, waitstaff, etc.

I would also suggest looking into having a brunch instead of a dinner.  Places may be able to make a better deal if you are booking them in the morning instead of the evening.

rayro211

I agree with Danielle... Your budget is very tough with 200 people... especially if you plan to give them alcohol.   I'd recommend cutting your guest list or switching to a brunch option (which also can be pricey) or maybe a cocktail reception.  If you are looking at a shorter amount of time, it could save you some $$!

jessica'n'bob2010

The problem with cutting my guest list is that out of those 200 people, 90% of them are immediate family. My dad is the youngest of 6 children, which gives me 21 first cousins. My mom's side is just my grandparents and one uncle, no cousins. My fiance's mom is one of 7 children, his dad is one of 5 and he has probably 45 first cousins. There are also great aunts/uncles on both sides that have been huge parts of our lives. Then there is the more extended family that we are close with on both sides...it's going to be way too difficult to just cut people out in general and especially to cut the guest list more than in half. The only way I could see doing that would be to cut out the younger children, but then how do you tell people, "oh, you can bring your older kids, but not your younger ones because they're just going to take up too much space and $$". We are already sacrificing not having most of our friends there because that would put the guest list to 225+. 

danielle.eardley

Understood about the family...I'm in a similar situation.  

You could also look into places in the metroparks.  Cuyahoga Valley National Park has some indoor spaces I believe you can rent.  Rental fee would be low but would likely need to rent tables, chairs, linens, lights, etc.  You could get food from wherever (Many italian restaurants allow you to buy large pans of pasta and salad, etc.  If I remember correctly, it still usually ends up being around $10-15 per person if you do food this way)

The only other thing I can recommend (Which obviously isn't ideal) is to push your date out until you and your FI or whomever is paying for the venue and food can pay a larger amount.  My FI and I decided to have our wedding in 2012 because of that very reason (too much family that is important in our lives to make cuts in the guest list)

You could also look into doing a destination wedding .  That would limit your guest attendance significantly and from what I've heard, it's pretty economical to do.

I really hope you find something that fits in your price-range.  Let us know what you end up doing!

JKohio

Some good ideas above! You also might consider an off-season wedding. Many venues offer discounted pricing if your date is NOT during summer, when most weddings are. Our wedding was at the end of April and we got a couple dollars per person knocked off the price. It made enough of a difference. Depending on venue, ask about discounts for wedding dates from November through April.

Or, you might go with a more casual reception setup -- think outdoor bbq celebration instead of the typical indoor reception, if you are set on a summertime wedding. The CVNP's Octagon picnic area is a covered structure with restrooms, but is open to the outdoors -- basically a picnic pavilion. The Cleveland Metroparks also has several similar picnic pavilions. Alcohol is allowed at some of the venues, if you obtain the proper permit from the parks, but it's wine and beer only (no liquor -- but that can help save you money, too).

Cleveland Metroparks facilities to rent:
http://www.clemetparks.com/visit/reservedpicnic.asp

Some of the newer Cleveland metroparks shelter type facilites to rent (with pics):
http://www.clemetparks.com/aboutus/info/2011shelters.asp?SCheck=285055287&SDT=39485.5659207523

CVNP shelters for rent:
http://www.cvnpa.org/ExtraordinarySpaces/Rentals.aspx

CVNP indoor rentals (looks like chairs/tables/setup is included)
http://www.cvnpa.org/ExtraordinarySpaces/facilities.aspx
http://www.cvnpa.org/ExtraordinarySpaces/FAQs.aspx

Otherwise, you may have to re-think some of the area banquet halls and community centers. Some of them are very nice, and have their own unique qualities, even though they are 'halls'. Many of them are very cost-effective.

mamboqueen

Not to discourage you but it will be tough for that kind of money. If you switch to Friday or Sunday, venues will usually work with you and give you a much better price. 
What about a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception?
Or try a community center, church, restaurant

jessica'n'bob2010

Thanks everyone The search is still on, I"m not giving up yet! It's just a lot harder than I thought it would be, that's for sure! 

cupcakewarfare

Did you try Lake Metroparks? I've been told that they're fairly reasonable pricing and they would be able to accomodate your size and hopefully your idea of what makes a venue unique. They fit the indoor/outdoor requirement, and plus, you could even arrive to your ceremony in a horse drawn wagon if you so choose! They have a lot of info on their venues here: http://www.lakemetroparks.com/parks/facilities/weddings.shtml . Not sure if it's in the budget, but good luck!

ayamm1123

Basically your max budget per person out the door is $25 a person…which is super tight.  However, if you find a low cost rental facility with a super cheap caterer, it may be possible…
This is a great link for catering halls in NE ohio.  http://www.clevelandcatering.com/halls.html


Also Try:
Quailcrest Farms -Wooster - www.quailcrest.com/

Ruby’s banquet Hall – Grafton – http://rubyshall.com/

Boyert’s Farm – Medina - www.boyerts.com/home.html  (no info on the site but they have two barn type options – small and large)

Buffalo Creek Retreat – Medina  www.medinacountyparks.com/Pages/HubbardValley.html

Black River landing and Trans center – Lorain - www.lorainportauthority.com/blackriverlanding.shtml

Antler Grand Ballroom – Lorain - www.gibsonmanorcatering.com/

andreaclare

Patterson's in Chesterland
http://www.pattersonfarm.com/html/orchard_hills_center.html

henn mansion euclid
http://www.hennmansion.org/henn_website_ca_002.htm

Perry Community Center is pretty, right on the water, bring in all of your own vendors.
440-259-5140 Michelle

several facilities available in Mentor that you use your own catering
http://cityofmentor.com/play/facilityrental

andreaclare

There is also family life center in Chagrin Falls, with an interesting labryinth garden outside for ceremonies.

http://www.fedchurch.org/10192/content/content_id/77920/Family_Life_Center_Rental_Information

Special Moments catering out of Streetsboro is very reasonably priced and travels pretty far. I have had their food at two events
.http://www.specialmomentscatering.com/

mamabear1003

what about three five six, the akron art museum, galleria in cleveland, people oddly get married at the pro football hall of fame in canton if you like that sorta thing, studio 526 in akron - although that may be a tad small, conrad botzum farmstead, shoot, I could go on for days. even our caterer has  afarm venue he likes to use in peninsula but im not sure where that is.  plus, if you dont already have a caterer, Ivans Catering in akron is great...he's willing to work with any budget to get you what you need.