Possibly Changing Venues...Need Recommendations!

nbkq6bf

The first thing I booked was Harmon House in Kernersville. It was cheap, had character, close to home, and could fit what I anticipated to be 70ish guests.

NOW the owner of the house has become super inflexible and I've had about enough. My wedding isn't until 11-11-11 and if I cancel my booking I only lose $75 and she gives the rest of my deposit back. She won't let me set up the tables the way I want them, won't let me rent chairs for inside and she has some hideous banquet chairs that I don't want to rent covers for, won't let me get inside the house in the evening so I can figure out what kind of lighting I'm going to want, etc.

Stupidly, I didn't look at any other venues after I looked at Harmon House. It's only $630 to rent it from 10am - Midnight on the Friday of my wedding, and includes tables and chairs and no extra cost to have the ceremony at the outdoor gazebo.

Someone recommended 1812 Hitching Post but it's $2700 just for the venue. Since I thought I was only spending $630 on the venue, I allocated more for catering, photog, etc. and have already put big, non-refundable deposits down. My budget is only $8k

Anyone know of any cheap-ish venues that won't break my bank? I can go as high as $1k but it needs to be all day and include tables & chairs. I don't need anything else. I live on the Winston/Kernersville line but it doesn't have to be as close as Harmon House, that was just an added bonus.

I could probably go rent some random park but I don't want everyone to be super cold since it'll be in the evening in mid-November. I have a lot of thin-blooded Floridians coming to the wedding...gotta think of them LOL

Sorry so long, I'm just freaking out now. Any advice? Am I wasting time even looking?

Thanks for ANY help you can offer!!!

CJ4578

Try Magnolia Manor, in Greensboro- I have gone to a function there and it was lovely. I believe they do have tables and chairs. Beth just got married there, and her pics were gorgeous. 

Not sure what the pricing is, Beth would know more than I. Also, I know you've already set a date but have you booked any other vendors? Changing up the time or the date can save you a lot on venue (to a more non-traditional time, like Sunday morning or Friday evening, etc.)

Good luck!

pirategal03

I don't think you're wasting your time searching for a new location.  I'd be tempted to cut ties and run if I wouldn't lose a huge deposit and a vendor was making you question things this early in the game.

We used Twelve West Main in Thomasville (Davidson County), they provide tables and chairs and some linens, there is space for a ceremony setup separate from reception set-up, and there's a public gazebo across the street if you're set on that kind of thing.  Their Saturday pricing is a little out of your range, but I'm not srue abot Friday pricing, and I'm not sure about their availability on 11/11.  I'm sure I don't need to tell you that you ought to get this figured out asap since it's such a popular date.  We were married on 10/9 this year (a Saturday) and some vendors weren't even doing events that day just to prepare for the 10/10 madness.

ETA: Have you looked into Tanglewood?

Beth0882

I loved Magnolia Manor -- haven't put up my reviews yet, but they get an A+.  Very helpful, and they pretty much let me move anything I wanted.  The tables and chairs inside were included, but for the ceremony outside it was $1/chair.  I got linens and chair covers from our caterer (Visions Catering - also an A review).  Magnolia Manor's 2010 rates indicate that a Friday evening wedding would cost $1000.00 to rent, (http://www.magnolia-manor.com/documents/Magnolia_Manor_New_Rates_090210.pdf)   so it is a little higher than your current venue, but again, they are awesome to work with.  My photographer has done several weddings there in addition to ours, here is a link to his blog with all their pictures from there:
http://mccardell.blogspot.com/search/label/Magnolia%20Manor

Also, Magnolia Manor is owned by the Girl Scouts, so we felt good that our money was at least going to a good cause  

Good luck on your search!

pirategal03

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_possibly-changing-venuesneed-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:cf31a8a9-ca08-402b-919c-4d98363fe164Post:1de2b720-2a23-4fb7-ae08-81eaf2e382fa">Re: Possibly Changing Venues...Need Recommendations!</a>:
[QUOTE]I loved Magnolia Manor -- haven't put up my reviews yet, but they get an A+.  Very helpful, and they pretty much let me move anything I wanted.  The tables and chairs inside were included, but for the ceremony outside it was $1/chair.  I got linens and chair covers from our caterer (Visions Catering - also an A review).  Magnolia Manor's 2010 rates indicate that a Friday evening wedding would cost $1000.00 to rent, ( <a href="http://www.magnolia-manor.com/documents/Magnolia_Manor_New_Rates_090210.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.magnolia-manor.com/documents/Magnolia_Manor_New_Rates_090210.pdf</a> )   so it is a little higher than your current venue, but again, they are awesome to work with.  My photographer has done several weddings there in addition to ours, here is a link to his blog with all their pictures from there: <a href="http://mccardell.blogspot.com/search/label/Magnolia%20Manor" rel="nofollow">http://mccardell.blogspot.com/search/label/Magnolia%20Manor</a> <strong>Also, Magnolia Manor is owned by the Girl Scouts, so we felt good that our money was at least going to a good cause :) </strong> Good luck on your search!
Posted by Beth0882[/QUOTE]

And as a member of the GS council that owns the Manor.  We thank you ;)    This is part of why I keep telling you how much I love that location. 

nbkq6bf

CJ4578 I've already booked my photographer, caterer, cake baker, and DJ! So I have to find a place that is ok with all of them because they all had big deposits! And 11-11-11 is a Friday already so I have that working for me

Beth & Pirategal, So far I've narrowed it down to Magnolia Manor and there are a couple of facilities in Tanglewood that I want to go look at. So relieved to see that there are options and I'm not stuck with the first thing I booked! Luckily my date is a Friday so places are already on the cheaper side. My caterer (Above & Beyond) is on the preferred list for both so I'm ok there. Thanks for the input!

elcobb

Hope you've found a place you like!  

Along the same vein as Tanglewood, this park sounds like it is close to you, and they have outdoor space for the ceremony as well.  

http://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/Parks/Triad/woodland_hall.aspx