Trying to find a reception hall and ceremony location within a budget!

nightspiritwings

Hello there ^-^ find time posting here! But I'm hoping to catch some experienced or at least knowledgable Southern Mainers to help me in my current issue!

I am trying to find a affordable wedding reception hall and an outdoor affordable location for the ceremony. Our budget is rather small maybe 3-5,000 total for those things.

Are there any suggestions of places you might know for the reception halls and places to hold an outdoor wedding ceremony?

Again it would be in a southern Maine location. Thank you

hcorr34

How big is your guest list? 

Check out some of the state parks for affordable outdoor locations.  Some places are cheaper if you live in that town (or know someone who does), and some are free.  I am getting married at Fort Williams/Portland Headlight and it only cost us $100 to reserve the Picnic Shelter for the entire day (my FSIL is a Cape Elizabeth resident and reserved it in her name).  If you have a smaller guest list and don't care about people standing (I am personally opposed to this), you only have to spend $40 and you can "reserve" one of the grassy areas for your ceremony.  The same goes for Fort Allen Park, Deering Oaks Park, etc. in Portland.  It's very inexpensive but you can't have chairs.

I'm only familiar with what is in Portland since I didn't research outside of the city.  But most towns have some kind of public space that is available cheaply for ceremonies. 

Here are some past threads that may have some useful Reception Hall locations for you to check out:

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_venue-ideas

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_venue-recommendations

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_please-venue-ideas-mid-coast-area

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_wedding-receptions-portland

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_out-of-stater-looking-perfect

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_inexpensive-wedding-venues-central-maine

jelenybeany

I know keely the caterer doesn't charge a room rental fee, you just pay for the food. they're food is reasonable...i think between $18-$30pp. They were the cheapest I could find in the area, but I'm sure there are others.


How many people are you expecting?

Debbie111111

Did you try Clay Hill Farm in York/Cape Neddick?  Beautiful setting for outdoor weddings (we were there Saturday!) and really charming inside.  Food was really good too!

shandorfml2

Clay hill farm is nice, I've been to a wedding there. Local parks are usually free. I've also been to a reception at keeley the cateror and that was nice as well. If you are going for inexpensive I'd try getting married in a park then reception at a hall that includes catering

nightspiritwings

Thank you everyone for all the advice!!! We checked out keeley's but unfortunately, the owner is retiring at the end of the year, so it won't be around for when we have our wedding, HOWEVER we were then recommended to check out The Italian Heritage Center, and the moment we stepped into the Columbus reception Hall, we were sold. It's beautiful and rather inexpensive. Thank you everyone for the advice...now to find a place to hold the ceremony itself!