----venting---

eddiesgirl11

sorry girls but I am beyond frustrated. Maybe my goal is not realistic but
I'm getting so frustrated with the vendors of pgh. I have already started to plan my wedding which we think will be in may/June of 2013. We Have a small budget so we really need to plan well. I have talked to so many vendors that won't even let us in the door unless we have atleast 100 guests. We plan on having maybe 60-75 atmost. Our budget is 10k fr everything: flowers, dress , venue ect. The only criteria is we don't want it at a firehall....I'm starting to give up hope!!!

map624

Hey there!

I am getting married at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh South....Across from South Hills Village mall.  Their package there is great....it includes your cake, fresh flower centerpieces of your choosing, chair covers and sashes, 5 hour bar.  I can give your more info if you would like....the great thing is, there is no minimum price if you get married on a friday or sunday.  We are getting married on a friday night, and the great part is, they also give 10 percent off for a friday or sunday wedding!  Let me know if you want more info

dbpsu18

We attended a reception at the River's Club downtown where there were only 80 guests - which I know is more than you're going for, but def less than 100! Not sure if you tried talking with them but may be worth a shot!

Goodluck!

CLW102409

Oh boy.  You have got to relax and take a few deep breaths.  You have so much time to plan everything out.  You can easily find a nice venue (that isn't a firehall) that will fit your budget.  You'll have to be a little more creative and not go with a some typical place.

I know Bossa Nova downtown rents out their facility for private events (not sure of the costs), try the Mayernick, the sticky note above will have some ideas. 

Be patient and relax... you'll figure it all out.  GL!

jmbahr

 I know Salvator's in the South Hills has a room that will work.  They have 3 rooms for you to pick from.  Plus, they do all the food and linens.  I'm using their cater.  The food is really good, too

ginny814

Try the Mattress Factory in the North Side; capacity for a seated dinner is 100.  It's a pretty nifty space (contemporary art museum).  Not sure what the prices are like, though.

Good luck!  You just gotta be creative with the venues and keep an open mind!  

cgyvhu

You have TONS of time - no need to get frustrated.  I'm also having a small-ish wedding, and there are lots of places that will work with you.  Some things to consider are having an off-season (not May-Oct) wedding or a Fri/Sun wedding - a lot of places will lower minimums or eliminate them.  Another idea is to consider locations that people usually use for rehearsal dinners (SixPenn, Olive or Twist, Lidia's in the Strip, etc.).  Restaurants could be a great choice for you and depending on the day/time, they won't require a minimum spending or number of people.

Rivers club has no minimum off-season (as db said), 20th Century Club could fall in your range, too.

phillychica85

Our rehearsal dinner was at Lidia's in the strip and it was fantastic. Private parties are held in their loft upstairs above the main dining room and it created a lovely and personalized feel. If you have less than 40 guests the room is partitioned (we had about 35 but were lucky as there was no other function that night), but with your numbers, the entire room would be yours. They offer a couple of different pricing packages, along with alcohol/beverage ones too, so depending on how you plan, it could def. be within your budget.

Good luck and don't get discouraged!! As others have said, you still have plenty of time to thoroughly investigate all your options!

milichal

Don't get discouraged!  I'm planning my wedding for the same time and trying to keep it under 10k, too.  These girls give great advice on everything, and I would definitely check their suggestions.  I'm getting married an hour-ish north of Pittsburgh, and I'm stuck doing a Saturday wedding.  I'd really look into having your wedding on a Friday/Sunday if it's possible.  Take a few deep breaths; everything will turn out fine

bgfst1

Hi! I agree with a few posters above - a restaurant could be a great direction for you to go! That way, all the glassware/china, linens, servers, bartenders, etc. are included, and a TON of places do not have a minimum food/alcohol bill or a minimum guest list. The other cool thing about restaurants are that there are a ton out there that have a really cool vibe/decor that doesn't make it feel like a firehall or hotel wedding (if thats what you want!). We have the same budget as yours, and two restaurants that I would recommend you look into are the Hyeholde (surprisingly not as expensive as most ppl would assume!) or Willow (on Camp Horne Road).

MRads

Ditto pp on restaurant...my photographer just shot a wedding at Lidia's and the wedding looked like it was really nice.  Also, I have been to weddings at Succop Conservancy and 20th Century Club that were all under 100 people.  Im not sure if their policies have changed, but that could be an option.  I also hear that the New Hazlett Theatre is really flexible.  Good luck!