Can't find a reasonably priced recept site

awesomesinger_cheerio17

For the past week, I have been searching the internet, buying bridal magazines specifically for MN brides and I can't find a reception site that doesn't rob my budget. For the reception site we are trying to find something that is between 3,000-3,500 that includes all the food, dinnerware, and linens. Our guest list is between 160-180 people. The church we are getting married at is in St.Bonifacious, just west of minnetonka.  Any ideas of cheap reception locations would be great. Thanks!

wittyschaffy

I would probably start with the community centers in the area and then find an inexpensive caterer.  The room fee alone for a lot of places is going to be $1000 or more so I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find something in your range. 

beka0404

Generally, the further you are from either downtown, the lower the prices will be, so if possible, I'd search the small towns around St. Boni for venues.

Some ideas:
B's on the River in Watertown
Voyageur Environmental Center in Mound
Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista
Chanhassen American Legion
Minnetonka Orchards
Turtle's 1890 Social Centre in Shakopee

Or you can check this list: http://www.mnweddingminister.com/sites/bigweddings.html

As PP mentioned, using an outside caterer is a good way to save. Exclusive catering contracts usually mean inflated prices! FI & I were originally planning a summer wedding on a farm, and we were stoked over the quotes we received from caterers. WAY less per plate than the quotes I received from the mega-catering companies that advertise in the wedding glossies.

The key to remember about the magazines and such is that those places spend big money to advertise, and the cost of that advertising is passed along to you. So, you can totally achieve your goal - it just might take a little more work, but it is doable.

Good luck!

(PS: Despite the money-saving mantra of "cut the guest list" that you'll often read on these boards, you don't need to cut your guest list. It's just a matter of prioritizing: http://www.apracticalwedding.com/2008/06/budget-wedding-myths-guest-list.html)

BrideBehl

When is your wedding have you set a date yet?  I would look at the profile event center.  Every thing is included, no room fee if you met the min,.  It is in MPLS by the UOM.  I would also think about getting married on a Firday or Sunday, the prices are cheaper every where. They have a in min of 2,950on a Sunday November-April, and for Firday 3,750.  The prices go up for May-October.  That is where we are haveing our recpetion.  They have been so helpful there and the food is great.  It does look that great on the outside but the inside is is really nicet.  It kind of looks like a club.  The website is profileeventcenter.com

hkiesling

I remember the Rosevine being fairly reasonably priced.  We used Summit Manor for 120 people and were around $5500.  That included all the food, linens, dishes, clean-up, centerpeices (small vases of fresh flowers), cake-cutting, and set-up.  It was one of the lowest prices places that we had found.  They charge by the hour, so if your set-up is quick and you limit the hours, you could easily make it cheaper.  They also let us bring in our own drinks, which was a huge money saver. 
Good luck!

leahlu

This is probably not in the area that you were thinking, but Eagan Community Center MIGHT fit that budget. They have a few cheap catering options. It would be a squeeze.

eventsbyemily

I think there is a Minnetonka Community Center.  Just off of 494 and Minnetonka Blvd. They have a nice space for a wedding.
http://www.eminnetonka.com/index.cfm

aekeyk4

Two of my friends have had their receptions at the Plato Community Hall in Plato, MN. You can bring in your own caterer and liquor, which can save you a lot of money. I think they each had around 200 guests, so it would within your size range.

I also second B's on the River as an option. They have a nice banquet room which can accomodate 200 people. They list their banquet menus and prices online; I think they are within your price range. I have atteneded a banquet there before; their food was better than most banquet food I've had.

MesmrEwe

What about using your church's gathering hall for the reception?  This is a space that is often not utilized for anything outside of funerals and they don't usually charge a ton plus you get to bring in as much stuff as you want (though many have alcohol restrictions)... 

You could also check out places like the VFW, KC, AMVET, etc. halls in the area as they often are incredibly reasonable.  You can also usually negotiate with reception sites that have a linen service to rent linens through them.  Check some of the hotels in that area as well.  Many have conference/reception rooms but may not do wedding mag. advertising..

Depending on when your reception is, you could check some of the area apple orchards, ski hills, and golf courses.  Most have a reception room available and aren't as spendy in many cases (unless you go for an upper end course)... 

Most of all, finalize your guest list with room to add an extra 10-20 on both sides and do an "expected to show" list (there WILL be people who won't be able to attend).  It's often eye-opening when you write names out on paper just how many guests you're really expecting with people your parents will want to invite as well.  It can go either way too you either have less that you'll be inviting but you could end up like a cousin of DH who they booked a site half the size of what they really needed because they didn't actually print out a list of people they'd be inviting (he guessed "oh, about 50..." when the reality is just aunts/uncles/first cousins on his side is closer to 150 and they had to call people and uninvite them because they didn't have the space... WHOOOPS!)

Like PP have pointed out, the further from the metro you go the more reasonable the room rates start to get.  Also, the sites that can afford to do the big ads in the bridal magazines can do so for a reason because they're making the cost of those ads up elsewhere.  Think outside of the box because there are tons of places to have a reception, not just who advertises in the magazines.