All booked or too expensive

kabraham

Getting married 10.2.10 - places I am calling in Pittsburgh are already booked for that date or either too expensive.... what is the deal - i dont want a 2 year engagement just to book a place and the whole event is only a couple hours to spend all that money! We are both fun, easy going people looking to have a good time and most importantly looking forward to being married to each other.... what options do we have in pittsburgh for price and convenience to the strip (our church is St. Stanislaus ---already booked...) HELP! xoxo

Er&JerLem

What type of place are you looking for, how many people, what kind of budget are you thinking?

dicer2

Please list the places that are ruled out already also!

missizz

Hi!  There are tons of options!  Unfortunately, October is becoming a huuuuge wedding month and things are booking up faster.What other places (price-wise) did you have in mind?  I'm sure that all the helpful girls here will have plenty of suggestions for you!  Are you flexible on the date?  Can you try booking the week before or after?  We based our date on the availability of our venue, then went from there booking vendors.Most importantly-- Welcome and congratulations on your engagement!And you all thought I couldn't be nice...

brivb10

welcome!  I echo PP about what you're looking for - I bet there are still some good venues available!!P.S snicker to chief crazy stace's comment.

dreamalotmp

October is definitely a very popular month unfortunately. I don't know of venues near the Strip, but what about Oakland? That is just a short drive to the Strip. Maybe Soldiers & Sailors or the Pgh Athletic Association? What kind of feel do you want for the location?

KRMac

Hi!  Let us know where you tried already and we can suggest a few new places to call.  Unfortunately, October is becoming the new June for weddings!  About what budget do you have in mind?

missizz

October is becoming the new June for weddings!I think that September and October have totally overtaken the May/June weddings!  Fall in Pittsburgh is just so amazing (and there's usually less rainfall) so more and more people seem to be leaning toward fall.

KRMac

We had a summer wedding since DH is a teacher, but I love fall weddings!  Fall in Pittsburgh is something to take advantage of for sure!

kbielak17

October is REALLY popular at home (NJ) - I know 4 people that got married the same weekend as me and 2 the weekend before. It's crazy.

Nunu&Eddie

Call Saint Peter Church in the North Side. Beautiful! It doesn't book as fast as St. Stanislaus and is convenient to the Strip. How many people?The space at the Society for Contemporary Craft is great and fits about 80 people. Right on 21st and Smallman.You could do any of the attractions in the North Side:-Aviary (My wedding was here)-Children's Museum-Mattress Factory-Parador Inn-Science Center-WarholI know for a fact that the Aviary is not booked 10-2-10 because I just looked at our calendar. This probably means that a lot of the museum-type places aren't either.

kabraham

we are looking around $20,000 total! called the circuit center, james center, westin, fairmont, convention center, j verno studios....all booked or too expensive. no flexiblity on the date bc the church is booked and 1st cousin is getting married at the end of the oct --- hard for family if it was any closer in date - dont want longer than a year engagement.... ugh what to do! the PAA is a good suggestion! i will call there... we have bn 200-230 people thanks for your help!! i'm so appreciative!

dreamalotmp

Everything in the city is SO expensive. I hear ya there. But with that many people, you may be looking at spending a bit more to get a larger venue. I could be wrong, but I wonder if that is true. What about PNC Park? I'm not sure if the PAA can fit that many people. Snorge - Do you know? Or Cobrien?

Nunu&Eddie

Knowing your number, i am going to edit my response:-Call the Renaissance. Their wedding person is fantastic!-Children's Museum-History Center-Science Center-Heinz Field (fantastic staff!)Did you call the Great Hall? Also, I am not sure if the Pittsburgh Opera is renting their new space in the Strip, but it is worth a call!

Nunu&Eddie

To save you some time, as far as I know, the Hilton is booked that date too. We were looking at it for a fundraiser.

LaFemmeRousse

I'm pretty sure PAA is too small for that number- I looked there and it couldn't fit us.

dicer2

Is the Great Hall the one on the north shore?  I've only been to one Pittsburgh wedding and the reception was held there.  It's very nice inside.

hey_its_jenn

The girls already passed on some great places but I would always try and keep in mind that about 20-25% of your guest list probably won't be attending.  Just keep that in the back of your mind while trying to plan. I love, love, LOVE fall weddings in Pittsburgh! My wedding was just in September and the weather was perfect.  The leaves were just starting to change.  I honestly believe September/October are the new wedding months, atleast for Pittsburgh! GL and let us know how it goes!

Nunu&Eddie

C-- Yeah. It's the one at the Priory. It's a Great Space and great to work with!

LaFemmeRousse

C, the Great Hall is on Perry Hwy north of the city, and the Grand Hall at the Priory is on the North Side.

daveys_baby

Maybe Soldiers and Sailors?  CO'Brien just had her wedding there (there's a review a few posts down) I'm not sure on price but I know they can hold big weddings.  Have you looked at Heinz History Center since it's so close to the church?Congrats and welcome!

Nunu&Eddie

FWIW_- I meant Grand Hall at the Priory (oops). I am not a fan of the Great Hall.

slm13

What about the Grand Concourse or the LeMont? I know the G.C. is in your price range and the LeMont is slightly less than the G.C.

kbielak17

I'm always an advocate of the Gateway Clipper They were amazing to work with start to finish.

cobrien1976

I had a two year engagement, so I know what you mean. Soliders & Sailors can fit that number easily (our guest count was at 316 and only 198 showed), but it only comes with tables and chairs and you have to use their liquor/bartenders which I think ranges from $28.00 for mid-shelf to $33.00 for top-shelf per person. There is a rental fee, when we booked it was $2300 back in 2007. It is a beautiful place, but if you do look into it, be caution of what is in the contract and make sure EVERYTHING is in writing in case they throw you "extra" fees like they did with us towards the end. GL. Also try the Lamont, Rivers Club, Radisson Hotel can fit your number, there are tons of places, you just have to really look hard for them. GL

cobrien1976

And you could easily do S&S for $20,000.00 or less! if you are interested in seeing our slideshow that has some pics of S&S, shoot me an email at cobrien1976 at yahoo dot com

KRMac

Sorry, I had to actually work!I was thinking the Rivers Club when you first posted.  HTH!

elishanb

Well I can tell you that the River's Club is booked for 10/2/10.. a little birdy told me so

KRMac

LOL, E!  Whoops!  :P

kabraham

You guys are the best!! I have some more phone calls to make -- what great suggestions! Do you know of any "warehouse"/"industrial" space in the strip to rent? Maybe the Bruno Building...etc?

Nunu&Eddie

I believe you can rent the Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville and it is kind of industrial, but I am not sure if they can fit that many. The Opera space, if they rent it, might fit the bill. You can call the Brake House Lofts, or other Loft buildings there to see?