wedding venue

ekuch03

I just got engaged and am starting to look at venues.  I will prob. only have around 100 people but do not want to spend a lot of money.   I started to research the Aviary, Phipps conservatory, Willow room, 2oth century club, and the southpointe golf club.  With the ceremoney, reception, food, linens, table, chairs, and drinks I need it to be less than 10,000 for the 100 ppl.  Since a lot of sites do not post prices, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with their own experiences/research.  Thanks!

LetsHikeToday

Check out the zoo!

cas4atpitt

I agree to check out the Zoo.  That's where I'm going to have my reception & I think they are very reasonable.  They also have a range of prices for their packages.  http://www.pittsburghzoo.org/PlanAParty/WeddingReceptions

carlyanne05

I agree with PP's - the zoo will fit your price range for your number of guests.  This was my second choice.  I'm partial to the Twentieth Century Club because this is my venue.  Again, it will fit your price range.  If I remember, the Willow Room will be out of your budget due to a pricey minimum unless you are interested in a Fri/Sun wedding.  I've heard that the Aviary and Southpointe are reasonable but "reasonable" is relative.  Not sure about Phipps. Good luck!

JennyBee1018

I used Ches-Anthony, and I think for 100 people, they'd come way under your budget. We had Beef Wellington and a chicken dish, and it was maybe 35 pp (including sides, setup, etc).

Plus it's BYOB which saved us a ton of cash! All their venues are in the south hills though, not sure where you're looking.

We had ours at the Ballroom at St. Pamphilus. We loved it, and they took care of everything!

Ches-Anthony

bgfst1

Phipps, to me, seemed insanely expensive. The zoo is a better option. The Aviary, unless you're doing an outdoor wedding or cocktail party, I don't think will hold 100 people (although it could be that it holds just 100 people.....). I was at a wedding at the 20th century club, and it was beautiful. When I started looking at wedding venues, I couldn't believe how inexpensive it was.

MrsRBurns

Does anyone know how they work it with guest lists under 100 for a reception at the Zoo? 

cgyvhu

MrsRBurns-

I visited the Zoo last fall and asked about groups under 100.  In that case, instead of doing the "package deals", you would pay a rental fee (listed for each venue on their website), and then the per person catering cost.  It ends up being nearly the same price, unless you have around 90 people and then the package is cheaper.  We didn't seriously consider the Zoo after our visit, but they seemed willing to work with us on it.

LetsHikeToday

I used the zoo. They were amazing. Any number under 100 people, you may $28 for. We had 95 people so we paid for 95 and then $28 each for the 5 under 100. I speak very highly of the zoo. They did everything we asked and more. If you wanna see our pictures go to http://blog.caitlintphotography.com. PM me if you want more specifics!

MrsRBurns

ekuch03, I have about the same budget and my guest list is about 75ish...I have checked a lot of places and the budget is reasonable for most places depending on everything you want. I am currently hooked on the Zoo/Aquarium, mostly in part to LetsHikeToday's pics

And thanks ladies for the help with the zoo!!!

ekuch03

Thank you all so much for your input!!! I really appreciate the help and will definately look into the zoo:)

ekuch03

And BTW..I love your pics LetsTakeAHike! Did they include the colored linen or did you have to pay extra for it...and do they provide a bartender but you have to provide the alcohol? I am going to look into it more but figured I'd ask you anyway..thanks!

LetsHikeToday

Those linens were included and so were two bartenders. If you look at the prices online, it includes the venue, a shuttle, food, linens tables chairs china etc, tax, tip, bartenders, and all bar mixes. You have to bring your own alcohol; however, we saved a TON of money that way. We dropped the alcohol, table numbers, cookies, guest book, escort cards, and decorations the week of the wedding. They set it up to how it looked in the pictures and took it down and had it boxed for us to pick up after the wedding. We also had two girls at the reception that basically ran it. They were amazing. My bustle broke and within 5 minutes they had safety pins for me. The people at the zoo really treated us first class. They even made my grandmas mushroom gravy for the perigees as a request from my mom. No questions asked and no extra money and it was made. Let me know if you have any other questions. Oh yeah if you have out of town guests, you can block rooms at the comfort inn at ridc park and they provide a free shuttle to and from the reception.

ekuch03

Thank you for all of the info..that really helps me out alot!:)