In Need of a RECEPTION VENUE in DOWNTOWN DETROIT!!! FEB 2013

cfkbluehouse

Hi All!

I am in complete despair. I just vowed to my fiancé that I will no longer lust for the comforts of the Detroit Colony Club as it is completely out of our budget.

The place is gorgeous and I am in mourning. I am hoping for the feel of vintage Hollywood. Think of the Marilyn's and Audrey's in the chichiest on out for a Friday night with their best men. I AM IN NEED OF A RECEPTION VENUE!!! I want to keep with the downtown Detroit idea, as I want my pictures taken there and it ties into our love story. Anyone have any ideas of a place in Downtown Detroit that won't require we do much work to it to achieve my look and fits into a modest price range. We don't care either way if we need to get it catered or not. The most important thing right now is deciding on a venue so we can get the wheels in motion.

Anyone have any suggestions? Please and Thanks in advance!

MMRoberts11

First off, welcome to the board.

As far as a venue, please supply a few more piece of info so we can help you better.  What is your budget (total or per person)?  How many guests will you have?  

cfkbluehouse

Hi and Thanks MMRoberts11. We have decided the budget yet as it is dependent upon the venue we decide. We are hoping to stay under 15k. The guest list will max at 200 but again, with the right reception venue that number can drop to 150

entropicbeauty

Check out the stickies at the top of this board, a lot of venues are mentioned and rated with pricing information.

LOTON01

I'm having my reception at The Athenaeum. Its a few grand out of your 15k budget. However, I would look into but it includes way more than any other reception venue we looked at. Also you can save money by doing it Friday night.

MrsGilliatt

Have you looked at the Fort Shelby?  We looked there, the Atheneum and Colony Club - all have a similar location but vary in vibes.  We didn't book at the Fort Shelby but it was cool, plus it's a hotel so that's a bonus.  I forget the pricing at FS compared to the Colony Club - but it was definitely less. 

cfkbluehouse

Thanks so much gals! I'll look into these.

KirstenZ11

Hi! We are getting married at the Colony Club this summer. I don't want to get your hopes up if you have already been in contact with them, but you may be able to still swing it. Are you looking to stay under 15 for the reception or everything...photographer, flowers, etc? If you get married on a Friday, they give you $5 off per person, as well as $5 off for February weddings. That would be $65 a person and I don't think there is a minimum for Friday weddings either. Again, I'm sorry if you already have looked into this, but like you I LOVE the colony club! Other places to look downtown would be the belle isle casino, the guardian building (although you have to bring everything in and I think it can get a little pricey), I think the DIA is hosting weddings again (I'm not sure how much it is but I would definitely check it out), the new hotel that opened where the omni was on the river, or the Detroit public library Good luck, you are looking for the exact same thing that I was

Sue-n-Kevin

Schweetiec had this post a couple of days ago, if  you go here, there are tons of venues mentioned in downtown Detroit. This bride has done all the leg work, and there were places on here I'd never heard of.:

If you go to this link directly, it's all the venues:

http://bridgettesdetroitwedding.wordpress.com/detroit-vendor-details/

Good luck. I swear, if I had $40K extra money I'd buy an old loft in Detroit and turn it into a wedding venue. The area is SO lacking in affordable places.

kerryforward

The blog that PP posted is awesome and you should definitely check it out. Have you thought about something a little nontraditional, like the Scarab Club? What about Inn on Ferry Street? People really love the Masonic Temple, too. And I'm not positive, but I think the Detroit Yacht Club is reasonable. Give it a shot.

empowder

The Detroit Yacht Club is defnitely worth lookiing into.  It's much more affordable than I thougth it would be.  They have one that is a very grand room, but it's HUGE.  Most of the pictures you see are of the big room.  There aren't many pictures out there of the Fountain room.  The pictures I've seen of the room are all pretty awful.  It's much better in person.

The Roostertail is fun, too.  Unique location and it's a Riverfront instittuion. In the summer they have deck space that's awesome. It's approx. $100/person, but you get a lot for your money.

KBLDC2012

I was in the same boat with the colony club but mine was also because we invited 330 guests....and honestly, I am happy we chose not to use the colony club....I know some people are still using it  so I will be nice and I am sure some people who already did, loved it but my expirience with the manager and assistant was awful  and I have heard not so good reviews lately. The colony club is definitely gorgeous but in the end if it doenst fit your budget, it's not worth it.

Couple places that are similiar and cheaper that I visited. The above person mentioned Yacht club- definitely a little cheaper and still really pretty, it's just a little harder to get to bc it's on belle isle and it takes a while to get to once you get on the isle.

Another is Masonic Temple. It has the same ballroom beauty in an awesome building and it was the most budget friendly ballroom venue in downtown. However, the neighborhood is not great and they charge you just to let guests park their own car because they have security onsite. The chapel there is amazing as well if you need a venue for the ceremony.

katiebo1013

I dont know if it fits your budget or if its actually "downtown" but Ive always wanted to get married at the Roostertail, its plain on the outside but the pictures of the inside are gorgeous, good luck!

MrsGilliatt

I'll just go ahead and stand up for all the Colony Club Brides when I say Nicole and Allison are the best.  If you can work the discounted Friday or Sunday pricing into your budget it's worth it.  I'm thrilled with the Colony Club this far and we've been contracted for over a year now.  From our tasting to our nit-picky requests - there is nothing not to love.  I happen to see a lot of value in the packages - we have the higher package and it is worth every penny.  Valet is affordable, as is uplighting and some of the extras.

Consider the discounted days someone else mentioned and see if they'll work with you.  Nicole was incredible at making out package exactly how we wanted it and for the price we negotiated.  However, if you have much more than say, 250 attending guests - it does get stuffy...be careful with your numbers!  Good Luck!!

Meegles4

Hey, I know KerryForward ;-)

I saw this post when it was originally posted, but didn't know of any venues that would be in your budget. I guess I'm also curious if your reception budget is 15K or your whole budget is 15K. If it's the latter, the DYC will not work for you unless you're doing a very small wedding.

I got married there, and it was just over 15K for 165 people. This included an off-season discount (about $1/head), but also included a duet entree (salmon and short rib) as well as premium bar upgrade, additional apps and a late night snack. It averaged out to about $90/head.

You could definitely do one entree instead of the duet, and go for a chicken dish instead of beef or fish, and shave some cost off. Also, if you also stuck with their standard bar and app offering, and didn't do any extras, you could probably get it to $60-$65 a head.

As far as venue quality, we LOVED it. We were in the ballroom, which IMO is better than their other room. They have a lovely veranda, and great city views if guests walk onto the docks. Their staff is wonderful to work with and we got rave reviews about the food and venue from our guests.

mrandmrsk91011

Check out the RenCen.  We had our wedding reception there and it was amazing.  If you end up with a guest list under 100, 42 degrees north in the RenCen is an fantastic location with a fabulous view, a patio area and the food was phenomenal. I promise you, you will not regret it.  

cfkbluehouse

Thank you guys for all the info! I guess I should be more specific. Im trying to stay under 15K for the entire event.  Thanks KristenZ11, I am looking into the Belle Isle Casino as we speak. Has anyone had their event here or know of someone who has? I am curious about the amenities and am having trouble trying to get someone on the phone.  As far as the all the loop holes with the CC it still seemed incredibly steep. We were both (fiance' and I) under the impression that even the off season on a Friday night would still put us at 16K JUST for the venue and there basic package and amenities.

Thank you to those who suggested the DYC, It's not my style but it is beautiful place. Also, the roostertail has been done in my family quite a bit and I am hoping to go off the beaten path.

Any help with Belle Isle Casino, gals? Also, any affordable ($-$$) wedding/event planner recommendations?

Thanks again to all you wonderful brides and brides to be!