Como Conservatory Reception ideas?

Luswen

Hello all! I had my first meeting with the catering/reception coordinator yesterday, and MAN was I psyched! (The dishes we were allowed to taste-test were amazing, btw. Really talented folks there.)

 But then I was emailed a "sample bill" or whatever that showed what we chose and had it all tallied up and I nearly had a heart attack. We're only having maybe 100 guests, I thought $6000 was a bit ridiculous. Am I wrong?

Anyways, a whole grand of that is to just for ceiling drapery! (Take a look at this photo: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/050817LCP-021.JPG) So my FI decided to it's better to nix the drapery. Sad.

Do any of you creative brides know of some way we can decorate cheaply? We're already thinking about paper lanterns, but I'd like to add some colour. (White linens and cloths are standard with the room, we have to pay something like $1 a napkin and $5 a chair cover for some other colour).

Our wedding colours are brown, sage green, and deep purple with accents of orange (and white, for obvious reasons).

Thanks!

Muffers

I've been to a wedding at the conservatory and in IMO it really doesn't need any dressing up. it's a great space, with a clean, organic look. why cover it up!  Skip the chair covers and draping and use colored flowers or candles for your centerpiece for a pop of color. It will look great!

hkiesling

As I recall from my meeting with them (we ended up not going there), they have rules about what you can hang.  You have to have a professional put up the linens, which is why it's so pricey.  So you might want to check into the lanterns. I've heard of other brides at other venues getting in contact with the bride who's using the space the day before or after (like a Friday then Saturday) and splitting the cost of the drapery.  I'm not sure if that would be an option for you, but you could check.

i agree with PP that the space doesn't need much decoration. 

Luswen

Thanks, ladies! I've been worried because the covered porch IS a lovely area for a reception (what with the lily ponds and all), but it's so blase inside. And my FI and I LOVE color.

@Muffers-- We are now skipping the chair covers. I think we just needed someone else's opinion on that, as the only photos available showed them with the slip-covers (except for one... the chairs are tan with an odd burgundy swirl design). Not too pleasing to the eye, but maybe I can swing some cute and cheap ribbon attachments onto the backs.

@hkiesling-- Oh, if only I could split the cost! Unfortunately, it sounds like it's a no-no for us at this point in time. And we did ask about lanterns and external decorations. The answer given was along the lines of "we would charge you for the decorations you want if you purchase them through us plus labor, or you could order them yourself and have them ready to go and we'd just charge you for labor."  I'm definitely going the DIY-route.