Crazy Venue Question

futuremrswoods9511

Ok so here's a little backstory on why I consider this to be crazy. 

I recently discovered that due to unforeseen circumstances, my dream venue that we had decided on is now out of budget, and there aren't many other options near where I live. FI doesn't really want to get married in a church, so that is kind of a last resort. Well, i work in the management office of a shopping mall and we have an empty store space in our mall that used to be a home decor store and its actually really pretty on the inside, and the space is huge. I'm talking big enough to have the ceremony on one side and the reception on the other and never have to see the other spot. My boss will most probably let me use the space for little to no cost. The crazy part I'm wondering about is...am I crazy for thinking of using a space at my job for my wedding?

Meghannsix

Isn't that kind of what David Tutera does?  Takes these big empty spaces and turns them into ceremony and reception sites?  Just be careful, by the time you rent chairs, tables, etc. it might get costly.  Good luck!

PrettyInPearls23

My first thought was "How can you guarantee that space won't be rented out to a store prior to next June?"

And, like PP said, by the time you bring all the rentals in, it can get very expensive. We're looking at $2500 for rentals for a wedding of 140 people.

PrettyInPearls23

My first thought was "How can you guarantee that space won't be rented out to a store prior to next June?"

And, like PP said, by the time you bring all the rentals in, it can get very expensive. We're looking at $2500 for rentals for a wedding of 140 people.

futuremrswoods9511

Good point. We do have have tables and chairs (quite a few actually) here at the mall that we use for events so I would have access to those as well. And as far as the space being filled by then...it's been empty for about 3 years now and we don't exactly have stores begging to come into our mall because we are a smaller town so I doubt I would have anything to worry about with that. I talked to my boss about it a little this morning and his main concern is liability when it comes to insurance because, as he put it, should anything happen, not that I think it would, the insurance would not cover it because the space is not being used as it was intended. Therefore leaving the mall open to be sued. But then he says that it depends on how things go in the next few months as well. 

Chels&Jimmy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2013-weddings_crazy-venue-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f30b0bfc-508d-415c-bf59-ab83e327da37Discussion:d06066cf-98b5-4d4b-9987-e2c5ddde895ePost:584253f0-d2ef-4f16-b201-9b12bbe3b0a0">Re: Crazy Venue Question</a>:
[QUOTE] And as far as the space being filled by then...it's been empty for about 3 years now and we don't exactly have stores begging to come into our mall because we are a smaller town so I doubt I would have anything to worry about with that.
Posted by futuremrswoods9511[/QUOTE]

I see what you are saying but the thing is, you never know...  it would be so stressful for you if you decided to go with that space and someone unexpectedly decides to rent it in between now and then.

Cass04eb

I agree with everyone else that you definitely want to double and triple check the possible costs for all the rentals since its just a big empty space! Sounds like it could be cool though since you'd have basically free reign to decorate how you want! Defintely keep us posted! I'd love to hear about the planning if it works out!

JennLax

I'd also keep in mind the type of wedding you want to have.. for example, I doubt there would be a way to get a liquor license for an unrented space in a public mall -- so you probably will have to have a dry reception.

Plus would it be after hours?  Wouldn't the main mall doors be locked? Isn't that a security concern for the other stores in the mall?   (Not sure if you mean an ACTUAL mall or a strip mall.. strip mall would be different).

The cost of not only the necessities: chairs, tables, linens, glassware, silverware, etc. will probably add up very quickly.  And it seems like there would not be a kitchen -- so all food would have to be brought in.  I dunno.. it really doesn't seem like  a good idea to me.  Too many obstacles.

In any case.. there are a ton of budget friendly places to marry that are not churches: legions, public parks, etc. 

sparkles776

I agree with PPs. I honestly just dont think its a good idea, there are too many obstacles and uncertainties, and for a bride, that would be too much unwanted stress to take on for me personally.

futuremrswoods9511

I'll keep you updated but right now things aren't looking so good. And it is in an actual mall, but this space has exterior entrances and a gate going into the main mall. It's also on an empty end of the mall so I wouldn't have to worry about being noisy and disturbing tenants. And as far as the liquor license (not that we will probably need it since my orginal idea was to have it at a winery and my grandmother about had a heart attack and probably would again if I decided to have alcohol at my reception) wouldn't be a problem. We have had Business After Hours events through out local Chamber of Commerce and were able to get the license for that and we were using unrented spaces. The problem with the parks in my town (and don't get me wrong there are some beautiful ones) is that they are not in the best neighborhoods. I really don't want to worry about if my wedding guests are going to be robbed or shot at while they are there. I'll keep you updated on my adventures in finding a venue in this little podunk town.