Trying to narrow down a venue...

Lizer514 · October 2010

Hey ladies!
So I originally got engaged this past May..and we scheduled the wedding tenitively in June of 2012 after I graduate from Nursing school but no date has been set in stone. Well the FI and I were talking recently and he threw out the idea of getting married this coming May! (I have a 3 week break from school)..We've been together for 5 1/2 years and live together in South Texas, and honestly I dont see much reason to wait and think this May would be awesome...but that definately equals crunch time in planning since I've spent the last 5 months not really figuring anything out thinking we had tons of time.

We do live in S. Texas but both are from the Buffalo area and thats where our families are. I've started to look into venues but I would love some feedback. We have a scheduled trip home in December for 10 days and honestly I'm not sure I am going to be able to come home again until the week before the wedding (which we would have May 20th. We are thinking between 100 and 125 guests. Here's where Ive looked to online:
Marcy Casino Delaware Park
Hyatt Downtown
Embassy Suites Downtown
Samuel's Grand Manor
Adams Mark
Banchetti's Banquet (Amherst)

Have any of you held your ceremony/reception or been to a ceremony/reception at any of these places? Just looking for ideas...
Thanks!

Beachy730 · October 2010

My wedding wasn't at any of those places since it was in Niagara Falls, but I have been to a few weddings at Samuel's and a few events at Banchetti's. I love Samuel's and think they do a great job with weddings and have excellent food. We didn't go with them because we were originally doing a New Year's Eve wedding and when we called them they had a lot of stipulations for a NYE wedding and charged extra per person. We found a new venue in Niagara Falls and stuck with it even after changing our date.
I've been to several events at Banchetti's and wasn't crazy about it. I've never been to a wedding there though, and I've heard some people who really like it there, so it might just be my experiences.

As for your time crunch though, I don't think you will have any problems booking and finding venues. We had to change our date since we were moving out of state, and we booked in February for a July wedding and had no problems whatsoever. We were also a Friday night wedding, but it worked out great. Post with any other ideas or help you need.

shoenazi1 · October 2010

After looking into a lot of places, I think that Salvatore's probably gives you the most for your money, if you haven't called there yet. I just recently went to a wedding at Samuel's and left unimpressed. Banchetti's does a phenomenal job with the food, but I'm not crazy about their venue.

Good luck!

Lizer514 · October 2010

Thanks ladies! I appreciate the comments....right now our date is up in the air so hopefully in the next couple weeks we'll figure out if we're having a 2011 wedding or a 2012 wedding....oh the joys of planning!

kae101 · October 2010

We had our wedding at Salvatore's last weekend and everything was phenomenal!!! They had everything under control from the beginning, we didn't have to worry about anything, which made for a very stress-free planning process!!

In regards to the other places, my best friend was married at Samuel's last year and that was also a great wedding! And we're going to be attending a wedding next weekend at the Embassy Suites, so if you're still up in the air, I'd be happy to let you know how it goes!!

Beachy730 · October 2010

I have also heard that Salvatore's gives you the most for your money. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but when I had looked at their site I thought I read that they don't accept any credit cards for weddings. I never looked further into it, but that was a deal breaker for us as we put everything on cards to get miles and paid it all off after the wedding. That's totally off topic, but could also be a deal breaker for someone else.

Lizer514 · October 2010

kae101 - that would be great if you could let me know how the Embassy Suites wedding goes

And I had totally forgotten about Salvatores so I will definately look into them as well.
Right now we're having a schedule issue with my FI sister (shes currently teaching in China and gets very limited time off) So we may end up going back to a 2012 date..but who knows....did anyone else switch back andforth on dates? I feel like I would be a little less stressed if we could just pick a day...I know it'll work out soon though.

Beachy730 · October 2010

We didn't really go back and forth, but we were at a stand still at one point because we didn't know when we could do it. We had originally planned on New Years Eve this year. H is in the Navy and we knew we would be moving and that he had a chance of deployment. We had to wait until we knew where we would be moving to until we could pick a date. When we found out we were moving to WA we decided it was too far to travel back and forth and moved it up. Luckily we did though because H is getting deployed in a few weeks and won't be home for NYE.

We got engaged last November, and didn't set our date until February for our July wedding. It was brutal waiting those months to be able to pick a date or book anything for sure. We picked our main things though, our church and reception venue. When it came time to pick our new date I asked both places for a list of dates available in July and August and compared the dates to pick our date. If you are flexible on dates then you will have no problem booking things on short notice.

I really don't want to sound heartless at all so don't get me wrong, but is FI dead set on waiting for his sister to be home before getting married? I know I would try to have my brother there, but when you get into the planning you realize that it is impossible to find a date that everyone you want can make. We finally got to the point where we said "ok, this is our wedding date. We will accept the fact that not everyone can be there." We had some close family members not make it, but with big familiies we realized that was basically inevitable.

Lizer514 · October 2010

Don't worry you dont sound heartless at all. Its something we've talked about. His family is close so it will be difficult if she can't make it, but we also dont really want to wait 2 more years to get married (we've been together for 5). I'm one of those people who wants to plan everything out at once and my FI is I guess the typical guy who just thinks we have all the time in the world and doesn't quite understand that women start planning their weddings at birth!

....His work schedule and my school schedule are kidn of crazy right now so I'm hoping this week to be able to sit down together and figure out what he feels about it.

Glad to know we're not the only ones who have trouble pinning down a date....Good luck with your husbands deployment.

Milosovici · October 2010

Our wedding is going to be at the Marcy Casino! It's a small, intimate spot, but there is lots of outdoor space. We plan on having 130 people. Let me know if you have any questions about this location.

We are also having a long engagement (almost 3 years) bc of my schooling, and we have been together 7 years. Do what is the least stressful for you, even if that means waiting. I booked a lot of my vendors early in our engagement and we saved a TON of money, since their prices tend to go up every year.

P.S. I went to HS with your FI. Small world!

Patineuse1124 · October 2010

Our wedding will be at Pearl Street next weekend and everybody I mention that to says that every wedding they have ever been to at Pearl Street was amazing, so I think I'm in good hands. I planned the wedding while living in Michigan so I feel your pain on the planning from afar. It's off the topic of venues, but I have to say that Zilly cakes was great about working with out-of-towners. My other vendors are in my bio.

degrea · October 2010

Sounds like you have hit the majored ones.

I have been to weddings at Samuel and Salvtores, neither have disappointed. Salvotores IMO is the biggest bang for your buck and the food, service is great. I also recently went to a wedding at Lucarelli's (not sure on spelling) food was good and the place was nice. The DJ was awuful but that could have been the bride and grooms selection in music.

Lizer514 · October 2010

Melissa - That is crazy you guys went to HS together! Definately small world

Thanks for the insight into your engagement..it helps knowing that we're not the only ones waiting for awhile...Did it take awhile for the guy from Marcy's Casino to get back to you? I emailed him last week and he responded that he was out of town for a few days and would get back to me but I haven't heard anything yet? Just curious...
Karen - Good luck Im excited for you that your wedding is this week!

and planning from afar is kinda crazy..thanks for the suggesting on the cake I'm still looking into places so thats a good one to keep in mind

degrea- Sounds like everyone has really liked Salvatores I'll check into it this week

Hendea3 · October 2010

I spent a long time looking into different venues in the area since we too couldnt pick a date until last minute. I am immigrating and found out 2-3weeks ago that we are getting married Jan 8 2011!
In my search I found the following:

Samuels....IMO seems too much like wedding factory for my taste. THey can have up to 6 weddings at once!

I REALLY liked Vizcarro Vineyards (sp?) its a farm/vineyard in Gasport and the entire menu is from food within 100 miles. I thought the place had a lot of charm with a wonderful terrace. AND VERY REASONABLE! I think we would have went with them if they could handle a winter wedding of my size (100-120ppl). The downside is that there is no hotel around the corner. THe closest ones are in Lockport area.

Im getting married at Pearl Street...they had more of the unique feel that we were looking for but they do have multiple weddings a night so it too could feel like a wedding factory as well.

We did look at Sonama Grill and they were really accomodating and I think would work well with out of town brides...my FI and I were afraid it wouldnt fit all of out guests comfortably as we did not want tables on the dance floor.

THe Adams Mark isnt easy to work with and are CROOKS! They quoted me $89/night for my gest block and then when I said it was a family reunion but then when they found out it was a wedding they were quoting me 9$ more per room! Their banquet rooms were ok but I was really underwhelmed with them.

THe Avant building (embassy suites) is ok, it would be a great hotel for guests but unless you have a large decoration budget I wouldnt go there, their banquet rooms just look like plain conference rooms. They do however offer free huricane centerpieces to help with decor. The coordinator seemed really nice too. I must repeat the hotel is gorgeous!!! If their rate wasnt 149 a night I would be using it for our guests.

I never got a chance to look but I heard good things about Rich's.

moosebaby2011 · October 2010

My wedding reception was at the Ramada on North Forest Road in Getzville. They have a traditional indoor banquet room space, and a big outdoor tent that they set up in warmer months (we used the tent space) and a pretty gazebo for ceremonies. Their banquet coordinator, Alison, is super easy to work with and has an office full of decorations, centerpieces, card boxes, etc that she will lend out at no charge. They have a lot of different options and price ranges for food, bar, etc. We were really pleased with the food and the service. I highly recommend the Ramada.

Milosovici · October 2010

When I booked the casino, it did not take long for them to get back to me. However, the head coordinator just left, so 2 guys just took over. They called me to inform me that they were taking over so I don't know how long it will take. If you need more info, just let me know. The building itself is kind of expensive to rent out, but then you have a choice of 3-4 caterers for the meal.

Lizer514 · October 2010

Heande - Thanks thats a lot of info

I'll definately check out the vineyards I think that'd be a cool venue idea!

Christine - I totally forgot about the Ramada...its great getting feedback since I haven't been home in a few years of whats still around

Melissa - I'm going to try and email the guy again later in the week and see if he gets back to me again and then go from there. With the date still up in the air I can't really give them a lot of information to go off of. Thanks again for the help

jnpiwowarczyk · November 2010

Im having my wedding at samuels and have been to 3 others there and it has been amazing everytime with excellent service. Plus Samuels already comes with the DJ, one less thing you have to worry about.

I also booked banchettis for my bridal shower, I was very impressed with the service and atmosphere there

Queen Jane · December 2010

I love the casino, and Hyatts is a real nice spot too although I've never been to a wedding there. I know Rich's used to be real popular spot, I'm not sure if it's still open. It seems like everytime I make a trip home, something else has closed. I don't know that I would recommend Banchetti's. There is a venue right at the intersection of union and William, I can't recall the name, but I remember it being quite nice...

Trying to narrow down a venue...

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