Not much freedom vs. too much freedom?

RMM411

Is it difficult to plan a reception in a venue that is not a hotel?  I know hotels do all kinds of stuff for you... like catering, etc.  Is it difficult/too much work for venues such as museums and whatnot?

Ash2985

A lot of people do it, so I don't think it's too difficult.  I just didn't care enough to want to make the effort to find all the different vendors, so I went with a hotel.

gmc22

My wedding is at the Carnegie Museum in Oakland and they do basically everything for you as well. I would say, specifically with the Carnegie, that it is no more difficult than planning at a hotel.

HoneySpider

Some non-hotel venues include a lot in their packages, so definitely check around. I had my reception on the Gateway Clipper and it included a ton of stuff, very nice for an OOT planner.

sarilynnep

I second GMC. The carnegie museums are very easy.

A lot of places take care of catering, cake, chair and table rentals, etc. Places like the 20th century club, the Zoo/Aquarium, Springwood, country clubs, some restaurants (Lemont) etc already have everything in place as they do a lot of events. If you look on venues websites they usually detail that information out for you. The only place I looked at that we would just be renting the space was the Pennsylvanian. If you have it at someplace like a fire hall or a park/outdoors you would have to call and hire different vendors.

jlbaxter33

I'm getting married at the 20th Century Club and it has been rather easy to plan! I'm not a huge fan of hotel settings, so I wanted a place that was a little different and hosts weddings often, so they knew what to do. There are lots of places like that in Pittsburgh.

laurlaur414

I'm getting married at Soldiers & Sailors, and I'm even planning from out of town. It really hasn't been too hard. The people at S&S are wonderful, and all the vendors I booked so far have been really helpful, even recommending other vendors to help me get everything I need for the day. My caterer actually takes care of a lot of things, which is a big help.

thefuturemrslynn

I've been working with the Morning Glory Inn in the South Side.  Amazing.  Cannot reccomend them enough

Not only is it a unique venue, but they include a lot in the package.  Check them out!

ginny814

I, too, am having my reception at Soldiers and Sailors.  Although they don't have an in-house chef or event staff, they recommend caterers, as laurlaur414 said.  Our caterer will provide the linens, table set up, food setup, cookie display, cutting the cake, etc... so its's nice that we don't have to worry about it.  So if for some reason your reception venue only provides the space, just make sure you pick a caterer that provides everything you need.

Actually, most event halls have packages specifically for weddings and a staff that is there to provide the services (most country clubs, Pittsburgh Zoo, Syria Mosque, Harmar House, Willow Room, Riverside Landing and the Greek Hall in Oakmont.. I could go on and on).